International Women's Day Film Festival

Join Hostelling International USA, Women in Film & Video New England, and the United Nations Association of Greater Boston for the second annual International Women's Day Film Festival.

The goal of the festival is to promote a greater understanding of the extraordinary lives of women around the world through relevant and thought-provoking films and discussions. Join us to honor the struggles, victories, and remarkable experiences of women around the world.

2:00 p.m.
Women In Film and Television International Short Film Showcase

Take 3 (New Zealand, 2008, 12 min)
The audition room is a minefield for three Asian actresses who are expected to be Asian in ways they are not completely comfortable with. When the humiliations mount, they transcend their rivalry in one gleeful act of solidarity, empowering themselves with the very stereotype that they’ve been subjected to.

Montreal 1971 (Canada, 2006, 24 min)
Three part poetic portraits taking place throughout the 20th century in Montreal Canada. A story told with few words and great cinematography, Montreal 1971 follows a young woman on her journey through love, loss and loneliness. Each moment in her life and her memories unfolds in a serious of precious decisions similar to what many women face.

Love Letters (Australia, 8 min)
Steve, an 8 year old, corresponds with 8 year old Theresa, in Africa, through a sponsorship organization which only allow communication until she is 18. Before the contact is cut off, he has to tell her how he really feels.

Colors of the Veil (USA, 5.5 min)
A former U.S. soldier ultimately found her identity in the veil, and became a vanguard of the growing American-Muslim community. Share in her struggles to find a job that accepts her and how her trials have inspired others like her.

Lullaby (Australia, 11 min)
Sisters Poppy and Bella struggle to bring themselves up in a rundown warehouse above a burlesque club where there Mother is a singer.

Quarter to Noon (USA, 2008, 14 min)
Enclosed in a stale office with a single door and a single window and several framed “Best Worker” Awards, a worker works. She is good at her job. Consistent, dedicated, and high performing. However, when she discovers a new world outside her office window… she escapes to it.

4:00 p.m.
Local Filmmakers Spotlight
White Elephants (USA, 2008, 24 min) – World Premiere
White Elephants is a sensitive, slice-of-life story involving a young couple going through the normal course of their day, while coming to terms with an unexpected medical diagnosis. The film is a reflection on the unfortunate hardships that can befall any couple, the decisions we are sometimes forced to make, and the ability to support one another as best as one knows how.

Act As If (USA, 2009, 18 min) – World Premiere
One woman’s secret to winning at life is to “act as if,” which transforms her from a feisty blue collar Boston kid into the championship basketball coach at Harvard where she masterminds one of the greatest victories of all time and overcomes cancer using the power of positive thinking.

Following the films, we will host a discussion with the filmmakers and special guests.

6:00 p.m.
Maimouna – La vie devant moi (Maimouna – The life in front of me) (Germany/Burkina Faso, 2007, 60 min) – U.S. Premiere – Winner of the Cross-Cultural Ambassador Award
Maimouna – The life in front of me explores efforts to change attitudes towards the traditional practice of female circumcision. The film follows the work of Maimouna, a young woman from Burkina Faso as she visits villages and families as part of an NGO’s education and awareness program on female circumcision. On her journey Maimouna explores the many myths and contradictions about female circumcision within her own culture. Maimouna’s story, which also tells the story of her society is above all a story of hope.