THE PORTLAND WOMEN'S FILM FESTIVAL (POW FEST)
A Co-Production of Sour Apple Productions and Zonker Films
The Portland Women’s Film Festival (a.k.a. the POW Fest) focuses on the art and cinematic contribution of women filmmakers from around the world. Tentatively scheduled for May of 2008 and spanning one week, the roster of events will be comprised of equal parts exhibition of films by woman directors and producers, moderated filmmaker panels, and filmmaker workshops.
Through the history of motion pictures, filmmakers such as Alice Guy-Blache and Ida Lupino have forged a hard won legacy for today’s women—both behind, and in front of the camera—to follow. And contemporary film has pioneers of its own, like Julie Dash and Christine Vachon, women who continue to create exciting work and bring their unique perspectives to the screen. But the current groundswell of honest, thought-provoking, and often iconoclastic work being made by women filmmakers isn’t always available or obvious to mainstream audiences.
A 2005 NPR story reported that out “of the top 250 grossing films last year, 95 percent were directed by men.” The number of women screen writers and camera operators from the same set ranked at only twelve and three percent, respectively. These numbers point to an alarming imbalance in the industry. Director Martha Coolidge, one of the rare few woman directors in Hollywood, as been quoted in the Los Angeles Times as believing that “movies are, consciously or unconsciously, a reflection of the culture around us. And that culture has been diminishing the role of women."
The mission of the Portland Women’s Film Festival is to turn this tide and change the perception of women in film. The POW Fest celebrates both women’s films and the women who make them, while acknowledging the challenges ahead. The events of the festival itself are aimed at empowering both aspiring and accomplished filmmakers through panels and workshops, and screening some of the best independent women’s films being made today. For a city known for its avid cinephiles and a progressive disposition, Portland deserves a POW Fest.
The Portland Women’s Film Festival is co-produced by Zonker Films and Sour Apple Productions, and produced in partnership with Film Action Oregon.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Stay tuned for several POW fundraising events in the upcoming months, as we will be bringing a number independent films to Portland for special engagement screenings. We will also be coordinating workshops and social networking affairs for filmmakers and filmgoers alike! Please contact us if you'd like to be added to our mailing list, or if you are interested in volunteering for an event.
PREVIOUS EVENTS
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY COMMUNITY CELEBRATION, 3.08.07 
And fundraiser for the 2008 Portland Women’s Film Festival, a non-profit event
PORTLAND, Ore. – On Thursday, March 8th, Milagros Boutique (5433 NE 30th Avenue) will be hosting a community mixer from 5:00-8:00pm in celebration of International Women’s Day. Born out of the Socialist movement of the early 20th century, IWD is observed annually as a day of recognition for women who have fought against discrimination, for the right to vote, and for emancipation and equality. It’s also a day to consider how far we still need to go toward a truly equitable society for all.
Bring the whole family and join us for drinks and yummy snacks provided by Vepadoe’s Deli. We’ll also be screening short films by local and national women filmmakers at 6:00PM, followed by live music from local gypsy rockers Ging Gang (Ghoulie-Ghoulie).
A pay-what-you-can donation is requested at the door; all proceeds go to the 2008 Portland Women’s Film Festival, an event that promotes independent women’s films from around the world.
For more information about International Women’s Day, go to www.internationalwomensday.com
BECOME A SPONSOR
The Portland Women’s Film Festival (a.k.a. POW Fest) is a non-profit event that celebrates the art and cinematic contribution of women filmmakers from around the world. Following its highly successful inception in 2003, POW Fest is tentatively scheduled to return in the spring of 2008, with several exciting fundraisers throughout the upcoming year.
The mission of the Portland Women’s Film Festival is to:
- Showcase the very best international independent films made by woman directors, writers and producers
- Promote women working in all areas of the film industry
- Educate members in the community through filmmaker panels and hands-on workshops
We are currently seeking sponsors and advertisers for POW Fest. Fundraisers, along with the event itself, will include exclusive film screenings, mixers, and special engagements with internationally recognized players in the film industry. Advertising space will be available in the program, which is distributed at all festival events and to various Portland businesses as well. Beyond advertising, sponsors are our major financial or in-kind supporters, the people and companies that really make it all possible. Tax-deductible sponsorship donations go to helping with overhead expenses, from theater rentals and printing handbills, to acquiring venues and bringing in keynote speakers. In appreciation of what our sponsors do for us, we try to recognize their generosity in as many ways as possible. As a sponsor, your company would be noted as a key contributor in all media alerts and press releases, and your company logo would be included on all festival promotional material and merchandise, as well as on our website. There are plenty of other incentives to becoming a sponsor that I’d love to share with you too.
Sponsors and advertisers have the unique opportunity to reach Portland's film and arts community, and to help empower women in an industry where their enormous contribution has been overlooked. For a city known for its avid cinephiles and a progressive disposition, Portland deserves a POW Fest.
All festival screenings will be held at the historic Hollywood Theatre in Portland Oregon.
CONTACT
Tara Johnson-Medinger
tara@sourappleproductions.com
503.267.1126
“The quality of entries in [the] Portland Women’s Film Fest transcends most of the stuff we’ve seen on the local festival circuit since like, Cannes 1969.” – The Portland Mercury
“POW Fest enlivens [the] local film scene.” – The Portland Tribune