Lunafest To Bring Films Made By, About Women To Plainfield

PLAINFIELD, IL — A film festival celebrating movies made by women and about women is coming to Plainfield March 8.

Lunafest, a traveling film festival launched by the makers of Luna Bar, is bringing seven short films with a total runtime of 90 minutes to Plainfield's Warehouse 109, 14903 S. Center St.

Doors will open at 6 p.m., and the first film will begin rolling at 6:30 p.m. The event is scheduled to run until 10 p.m.

Lunafest raises money to support domestic violence programs. What began in 2001 as one small screening in California has grown into an annual festival that has amplified the work of more than 175 filmmakers and raised more than $7 million for nonprofits across the United States and Canada.

This year, funds will benefit Joliet-based nonprofit Guardian Angel Community Services. The event raised more than $8,000 for the agency's programs and services in the Plainfield festival's first three years, according to Susie Carlman, one of the hosts.

Admission to the festival costs $40 in advance. The fee includes screenings, snacks provided by local vendors and popcorn. A cash bar will also be available.

Here's a look at what's showing at this year's festival:

• "Reclaim Your Water: Natasha Smith," directed by Faith E. Briggs
• "Miss Chelove: From Java to the Streets of D.C.," directed by Sara T. Gama
• "Pete," directed by Bret Parker and Pete Barma
• "This Is Beth," directed by Jen Randall
• "More Than I Want To Remember," directed by Amy Bench
• "Syed Family XMas Eve Game Night," directed by Fawzia Mirza and Kausar Mohammed
• "Swimming Through," directed by Samantha Sanders