Family of Woman Film Festival will benefit UNFPA

Presented by Americans for UNFPA, the Family of Woman film festival raises awareness about the problems—medical, political and social—that women face worldwide. As well the United Nations Population Fund seeks to empower women through improving their access to and awareness of their reproductive health and human rights.  Americans for UNFPA is a registered U.S. charity.

In 2010, the increasingly ambitious program has expanded to include five films (there will be matinees both Saturday and Sunday).  As in the past two years, students from The Community School and Wood River High School will usher and provide refreshments at the screenings as part of their community service.

Schedule of events:

Wednesday, Feb.17: screening at the Community Library, of “A Walk to Beautiful,” an Emmy winning documentary shown at last year’s Family of Woman Festival. The screening is in conjunction with a presentation a week later by Dr. Hailegiorgi Aytenfisu, the former chief surgeon at the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital in Ethiopia. He was an integral figure in the film.

Wednesday, Feb. 24: presentation by Dr. Hailegiorgi Aytenfisu at the Community Library, followed by a no host dinner with local physicians to follow (to be arranged). The presentation is free and open to the public. The St. Luke’s Foundation has underwriten Dr. Aytenfisu’s presence.

Thursday, Feb. 25: fund-raising Cocktail Party, at the home of Russ and Gemma Daggatt north of Ketchum, to benefit Americans for UNFPA, which support the work of the United Nations Population Fund. The event will honor Dr. Aytenfisu and several of the filmmakers. Donation $200.

FILMS:

Feb. 26 – 28:  Presentation of films at nexStage Theatre.  Friday, 7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Admission is $15 per film, or $60 for entire package of 5 films.

Friday, Feb. 26 – 7 p.m.

“Sari Soldiers” a documentary from Nepal on how women participated on both sides of the revolution.  Filmmaker will be present.   This film has been underwritten by a grant from Planned Parenthood of the Great Northwest, who will host a reception on Saturday at the new Cornerstone Restaurant on Main St. in Ketchum.

Saturday, Feb. 27

3 p.m.

“Bliss” a drama from Turkey about honor killing.

7 p.m.

“Mrs. Goundo’s Daughter,” a documentary from Mali about a woman seeking political asylum in the U.S. in order to avoid returning home. If she is sent back to Mali, her 3-year-old daughter will be subjected to genital mutilated as she was.  The filmmakers will be present. This screening is underwritten by a grant from the Perenchio Family of Ketchum.

Planned Parenthood of the Great Northwest will host a reception honoring Julie Bridgman, filmmaker of “Sari Soldiers.” The reception will be held at the Cornerstone Restaurant in Ketchum.

Sunday, Feb. 28 – 3 p.m.

“The Maid” a drama from Chile about a woman in the only legitimate job available to most women in her world. The film was nominated for best film in the recent Golden Globes Award. Awaiting

7 p.m.

“Lemon Tree,” a drama from Israel about a Palestinian woman and an Israeli woman. The filmmaker Eran Riklis will be in attendance. This film is underwritten by grants from Ann Down and Bex Wilkinson both of the Wood River Valley.

Filmmakers will visit with students at Wood River High School, Hemingway Elementary, The Community School and The Sage School.

For further information, visit unfpa.org, or americansforunfpa.org, or  Peggy Elliott Goldwyn at (208) 622-1554.