7 minute read
INSPIRING IMAGINATION
Inspiring Imagination
By Dillon Collins
The St. John’s International Women’s Film Festival hits the road ahead of its 35th anniversary.
For the team behind the St. John’s International Women’s Film Festival (SJIWFF), 2024 is a year of marked significance. Firmly entrenched in the provincial government-led Year of the Arts, SJIWFF celebrates 35 years of their world-renowned film festival this fall, proudly carrying the torch as Canada’s longest-running women’s film festival, with an unwavering commitment to gender equity and diversity on and beyond screens big and small. But the work of SJIWFF reaches well beyond the confines of the festival.
“We’re on a really interesting trajectory because right here in Newfoundland, we’re actually in a growth mode,” explains Jenn Brown, Executive Director of SJIWFF. “It’s incredible, and it’s also something that the rest of the industry and the rest of the country are kind of asking why.
“Our signature festival is, of course, every October. But we are the province’s premier film festival, and we’re the only organization that’s really bringing industry work and artistic development work yearround with a really special focus. First and foremost, we’re working toward advancing equity, and gender equity in the industry, but also we’re looking at how we sustain Newfoundland and Labrador’s film industry.
“I think the fact that one of the world’s longest-running women’s film festivals was created here and not in a big city somewhere else in the world says so much about Newfoundlanders and Labradorians and our community here. We’re successful and we’ve been able to do 35 years because there’s so much community ownership and buy-in and support. We’re focused on artists here in this place and how magical this is. But we also take that responsibility really seriously of what our local community needs first and foremost, and what kind of gaps exist in the industry. And how can we step in and help fill those gaps?”
The Gaze
Director/Co-writer: Stacy Gardner
That responsibility to broaden the strength of the industry carries on year-round with training and networking opportunities and various community events and screenings. Chief among them is the return of the highly popular Films on The Go series, a collection of short films from recent install-ments of the festival which will hit the road across the province this summer at unique and intimate venues.
“Part of this as a festival, when we think about women and girls and gender diverse artists, if you see it, you can be it and have that mindset. But then to take it to a much broader scope, if you see Newfoundland Labrador talent, you can be it,” says Jenn warmly. “And we just love the opportunity to brag about all these incredible artists.”
First Position
Director/Writer: Mallory Clarke
This year, Films On The Go includes a slate of stellar local shorts from Brianna Russell, Mallory Clarke, Nicola Hawkins, Holly Andersen, Heather Campbell and Stacy Gardner, six unique and diverse films which, in their way, explore the connective tissue of how the past informs the present and the lives in between, shifting perspectives over time and moments.
Hebron Relocation
Director/Writer: Holly Andersen
“It’s a lineup that’s curated really thoughtfully,” Jenn explains. “These are local films this year exclusively, which is exciting. But they’re also films that people love. We’ve already shared them with an audience and they love them so much.
“You share good stories, entertain communities with thought-provoking work, celebrate and highlight local artists, and inspire potential story-tellers or filmmakers. This is community-run and inspired, and by watching this, you’re also helping bolster more local story-tellers and creatives. It’s just this really beautiful, holistic kind of cycle that happens. The festival plays a small and humble part in that.”
Miss Campbell: Inuk Teacher
Director/Writer: Heather Campbell
Heading into their landmark 35th festival, the SJIWFF braintrust are looking to continue the momentum that has resulted in Newfoundland and Labrador’s emergence as a film and television destination, a far cry from its hidden-gem status of yesteryear.
“We have the fingerprints of thousands and thousands of people from all over shaping this festival. We are artist-focused, we are community-driven, and we are really about how to sustain Newfoundland and Labrador’s film sector. We screen films written and directed by women and gender-diverse artists, but we are for everyone in the sense of how we bring our entire film community and our arts community together, and promote it and make really meaningful connections,” Jenn says proudly.
Scored by Time
Director/Co-writer: Nicola Hawkins
“So in year 35, we are looking at levelling that up. And we’ve been working on really great strategic plans, really investing in ourselves, our artists, our community to see how do we bring this up to the next stage. What does it mean to be a film festival in 2024? The film industry here is exploding in a way that it never has before.”
Poster Child
Director/Writer: Brianna Russell
For more on Films On The Go and all things St. John’s International Women’s Film Festival please visit womensfilmfestival.com
Our August 2024 issue of Downhome embraces the idea of new horizons, both real and imagined. Our cover image, taken by Roger Gillard during a hiking excursion of the White Horse Path on the East Coast Trail, embodies the idea of looking out toward new and exciting possibilities.
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