Lunafest by, about women; for everyonew
Special to The Aspen Times
Lunafest is billed as a series of short films “by, for, about women,” but Advocate Safehouse community education advocate Sarah Buckley isn’t sure that’s quite right.
“I think that it’s really for everybody,” she said. “None of these issues are going to be resolved by just women.”
The six short films highlight women as leaders in society and range from animation to fictional drama and cover topics such as women’s health, motherhood, body image, aging, cultural diversity and breaking barriers.
Sponsored across several venues by Luna nutrition bars, the local festival will take place the evening at the Hotel Colorado on Saturday.
Due to strong attendance in the past, the show will be held first at 5 p.m. and again at 7:30. Tickets are $20 in advance at lunafest.org or $25 at the door.
Proceeds will benefit the Breast Cancer Fund and Advocate Safehouse Project.
Advocate Safehouse is a local, bilingual organization that provides everything from support groups to emergency housing and legal advocacy for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in Garfield County.
“We’re kind of coming at it from different angles, both individual and systemic,” Buckley said. “It doesn’t matter location, it doesn’t matter money, it doesn’t matter diversity, ethics, morals or religion. It crosses every single boundary you can think of. It is everybody’s issue.”
So, too, are the issues discussed in the films — though they sometimes take a back seat in the day-to-day rush.
“I think having a film festival that’s focused on women’s issues really highlights and focuses things so it doesn’t get drowned out,” Buckley said. “If people are interested in discussing the films or getting more information on the safe house, we will have time afterwards.”
If that all sounds too heavy, don’t worry. There’s a lot of variety built into the format.
“You may not connect with one, but maybe something else will ignite that spark in you,” Buckley said.
“Balsa Wood”
A light-hearted slice of life about two mixed-race siblings visiting their extended Filipino family for lunch.
“Beach Flags”
A young Iranian lifeguard, determined to participate in an international competition in Australia, experiences an unexpected obstacle when a new team member arrives.
“Boxeadora”
Namibia, a Cuban woman who has been training in secret as a boxer, has two years left to follow her dreams of Olympic glory.
“First World Problems”
A tired housewife loses her car in a shopping mall — sometimes problems can open a door to a whole new world.
“Finding June”
Inspired in part by the stories of some incredible deaf women in Missouri, this narrative short fiction film follows a young woman recently been diagnosed with breast cancer.
“Raising Ryland”
A journey inside the transgender experience as lived by a 6-year-old boy and his two loving parents.
