We had a great turnout to our Friday, September 5th screenings at the Cinematheque of our curated program of Manitoban women’s films and videos, a woman is not an island.
This program was a happy collision of several projects and ideas. First, Mentoring Artists for Women’s Art (MAWA) contacted us and asked us if we wanted to be involved in their 30th anniversary celebrations in September and October 2014 by focusing on Manitoba women creators. We of course jumped at the chance!
Around the same item the Manitoba Arts Network (MAN) contacted us suggesting we partner to tour films across the province. We hadn’t worked together before (despite both being in Artspace!) and it has turned out to be such a great partnership!
And finally the WFG is gearing up to celebrate its 40th anniversary over the next year so we knew this screening and tour would be a great event to include as part of that.
One might say it was serendipity that we were able to combine all these ideas and partnerships and turn it into such a fabulous showcase of talented artists from our distribution collection!
When it came down to selecting works for the program I decided to focus on works that featured a woman’s perspective. This resulted in a beautiful and compelling program of 12 films and videos, ranging from dance and experimental to drama and documentary.
Over 60 people came out to the two free screenings on September 5th and we couldn’t have been more pleased. I had many people come up to me after and say how great it was to see the works and the artists all told me they were delighted to have been selected. The audience for the second screening actually cheered before I even opened my mouth during my introduction. These people were so excited to watch short films! I love it!
The Winnipeg screening was the kick off of a provincial tour with MAN and this fall, winter and spring the 60 minute program will screen in various communities across Manitoba, showcasing the incredibly talented medias artists in this province as well as (hopefully) inspiring audiences, and in particular women, to become creators themselves!
I want to give a big thank you to all the artists and organizations involved in this project as well as many sincere thanks to the Winnipeg Foundation and Manitoba Arts Council for supporting it.
Cheers!
Monica
(Monica Lowe, Distribution Director)
To bring these short films to your community please contact the Manitoba Arts Network:
Phone: 204-94
3-0036
Toll free: 866-919-2787
Email: visualarts@mbartsnet.ca
Web: www.mbartsnet.ca
Presented with the support of the Winnipeg Foundation and the Manitoba Arts Council
