Zonta Club Presents Film Festival At Renaissance Center On March 21

(The following edited press release was submitted to Joliet Patch by Kristine Schlismann.)

JOLIET, IL — The Zonta Club of the Joliet Area, in partnership with Wild & Scenic Films, invites you to its “Through Her Eyes” Film Festival on Thursday, March 21, at the Renaissance Center, 214 N. Ottawa Street, in downtown Joliet.

The event starts at 4 p.m. with a “Boss Up” social hour that includes entertainment by Karen Isberg Sorbero, appetizers, and a cash bar with a signature martini; followed by dinner at 5:30 p.m., discussion, and a series of short thought-provoking films written “for, by, or about” women.

Tickets are now on sale for $60 through Eventbrite at bit.ly/ZontaThroughHerEyes2024 and sponsorships are available by contacting Helen Hester Ross at ross.helen@comcast.net.

The Joliet-area film festival, formerly known as LUNAFEST, is in its third year, with all proceeds supporting the Zonta Club of the Joliet Endowed Scholarship at Joliet Junior College. This year’s event is emceed by Caroline Portlock, Director of Workforce Investment Board of Will County. With her dynamic and witty personality, Caroline will facilitate engaging conversation among over 300 attendees.

The event has a new twist this year with films that depict women's relationships with the environment and how it impacts the lens in which they view themselves and their day-to-day way of living. “The Zonta Club of Joliet Area has partnered with Wild and Scenic Films, a production company well-known throughout the United States and the world for its traveling film festivals,” said Event Co-Chair Helen Hester Ross. “They have curated a thought-provoking lineup of short films “by, for, or about” women, specifically for this event, and with a focus on the ever-important issue of preserving our environment.”

Not only is this an event that is guaranteed to incite engaging conversation, but it also fulfills Zonta’s mission of ‘Building a Better World for Women & Girls.’

“The Zonta Club of the Joliet Area is grateful to the sponsors who make the event possible as the club works to provide the opportunity for women in our community to experience empowerment through the continuation of education at JJC,” said Co-Chair Kristine Schlismann.

Sponsors include The Voyager Group, Ltd., and D’Arcy GMC – Luminate Her Way; ExxonMobil – Bright Star; Terri King – Bright Star; First Secure Community Bank – Horizon; Joliet Junior College – Film Sponsor; Minor-Morris Funeral Home, Ltd. – Photography Sponsor; Trinity Services – Popcorn Sponsor; and SG Marketing – Publicity Sponsor.