Lady Filmmakers
Family & Supporters!
We hope all of your endeavors have been successful so far this year. have launched the new Script 2 Screen Program Indiegogo Campiagn! We have a lot of great news from our Alumni too!
Script 2 Screen Program 2015
Exciting things are in the works! The launch of our Indiegogo campaign to fund our three short screenplays for the Script 2 Screen program is finallly here!
Our goal is to raise $70,000 within 30 days and we're up for the challenge! Please spread the word! Every tweet, every share, and every dollar counts. Not to mention, we have some awesome perks depending on the level you wish to donate! Use #fundladyfilmmakers when sharing on social media please!
We are also happy to announce the three directors who will help bring these scripts to life. Congratulations directors Cecilia Peck, Heather Shepherd, and the sisters Brenda & Elisabeth Fies!
Selected Directors
Filming Summer 2015
PYNE Director, Cecilia Peck
Synopsis: A young thief wrestles against the temptation to steal again, when he encounters an unusual dog that is seemingly able to determine his future.
MINERVA'S WAR Director, Heather Shepherd
Synopsis: The story of a feisty, elderly woman, who feels trapped by the choices she’s made. Confined to a wheelchair in a palliative care home, she unleashes her anger against anyone within striking distance of her sharp tongue. It’s only when she remembers her younger, wiser, and gentler self, that she begins to soften and understand that she can die with grace.
THE BAY LAUREL Directors Lis Fies & Brenda Fies
Synopsis: A social climbing detective veers through Hollywood’s glamorous façade and gets ensnared in his own dangerous plot to marry a Hollywood starlet.
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Festival News
* Do you have filmmaking action-shot photos that you would like to see featured on our website & social media? Please send to Julie HERE.
* Submissions are OPEN!
* SUBMIT HERE!
* The next deadline is June 30th.
* Do you have news to share with the community? Please submit HERE! DONATE TODAY!!
3 Scripts, 3 Directors,
1 Cause!
Alumni News!
Feature Documentary "Brave Miss World" 2013
Congratulations to director Cecilia Peck (right) and producer & editor Inbal Lessner (left), on their empowering feature documentary 'Brave Miss World' for making into the Taormina Film Festival! 'Brave Miss World' is a documentary about Linor Abargil, who was a victim of rape just six weeks before being crowned Miss World, how she gained courage to speak up, fight back, and inspire others. The team was also invited by Selma Hayek's organization, the Kering Foundation to be roundtable guest speakers at Cannes on "How can cinema help improve women’s rights?” For more information, and to catch a peek of the panel discussion, please visit HERE.
Shahari Moore
Co-Director of "Swimmin Lesson", 2013
Lady Filmmakers Programmer and Director of Diversity
Shahari is Co-Director with Christine List on new film "B Love". Set in Chicago, B Love is an experimental romantic short film! It features an unique marriage of storytelling and vibrant cinematography. The story explores a love triangle between Bernard, played by Eamonn Walker (Chicago Fire, Cadillac Records, HBO's OZ), Victoria, played by Brely Evans (Being Mary Jane, Sparkle, Just Wright) and Julius, played by Corey Hendrix (Empire, Chicago PD and Sirens) who each deliver stellar performances! Upon their first encounter Bernard notices Victoria for her color, scent and shape. Unbeknownst to Victoria, Bernard is in pursuit of her attention as he relentlessly attempts to thwart her budding relationship with Julius. To support their fundraiser go HERE. View Trailer.
Heather Shepherd
Director of "Modern Love", 2012
Heather Shepherd is the writer and director of "Modern Love" which was recently selected for the Cannes Film Festival Marche Du Film and Cannes Short Film Corner. For more information, please visit HERE.
Sandy Marquis
Lady Filmmakers Programmer
Sandy is Producer on short documentary film, "Raising Ali". The film premiered in Lewiston, Maine on May 25th where a special message from Muhammad Ali was delivered before the audience by the Honorable John Jenkins.
On May 25, 1965 - Lewiston, Maine hosted one of the most controversially and famous sporting events of all time - Ali vs Kiston II. Forever Immortalized in the Neil Leifer photograph of an animated Ali, standing over a prone Liston as Ali screams "get up and fight". "Raising Ali", brings to light the events leading and surrounding the fight of May 25, 1965. "Raising Ali" takes us behind the scenes, shares rare footage, personal memories, explores civic and cultural identity, and the inevitable change that comes with time. Follow them on Facebook. To help support their film go to their GoFundMesite.
Inbal Lessner
Editor, "A Tale of Love and Darkness"
In addition to receiving attention for being producer / editor for "Brave Miss World" which won best of festival and best documentary at Lady Filmmakers, she is an editor of Natalie Portman's new film, "A Tale of Love and Darkness", which just premiered at the Cannes Film Festival.
Sheila Rabizadeh
Actress, "Love At First Sight", 2011
Sheila is Co-Producer on feature film "Freedom" starring Cuba Gooding Jr opening in theaters June 5th.
Two men separated by 100 years are united in their search for freedom. In 1856 a slave, Samuel Woodward and his family, escape from the Monroe Plantation near Richmond, Virginia. A secret network of ordinary people known as the Underground Railroad, guides the family on their journey north to Canada. Watch the Trailer.
Samantha Laidlaw
Producer, "Breathless", 2011
Samantha was recently Assistant Production Coordinator on the blockbuster film "San Andreas" starring Dwayne Johnson.
She worked alongside the production office team which was a great way to learn the processes involved in such a large-scale, visual effects and special effects heavy film. For "San Andreas", she was assigned to coordinate for the Grips, Electrics & Rigging departments and had the brilliant experience supporting and learning from some of the best crew in Australia - a lot of whom had just finished filming on "Mad Max: Fury Road".
EVENTS
* Entry to panels are for certain indiegogo campaign supporters as PERKS! For more details about the speakers please go HERE.
Legal Advice for Independent Filmmakers
- Ivy Keagan Bierman, Attorney - Loeb & Loeb
- Tara Kole, Attorney - Gang, Tyre, Ramer & Brown, Inc.
- Ghen Laraya, Attorney - VP, Business and Legal Affairs, Digital Turbine, Inc.
*$5 donation to Women In Film with each indiegogo donation that includes this perk.
Navigating the Film Festival World Panel
- Mike Viayra - Co-Founder and Festival Director of Lady Filmmakers Festival
- Patricia DiSalvo Viayra - Co-Founder and Executive Director of Lady Filmmakers Festival
- Conrad Bachman - Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Louisville, Kentucky International Festival of Film
*Panelists subject to change. We have a lot of fun perks for your generous donations! Thank you for checking them out!
Thank you for all of your support
and we look forward to seeing you soon.
Cheers!
The Festival Team