Family of Woman Film Fest Returns to the Wilmette Theatre

The Family of Woman Film Festival Returns to the Wilmette Theatre April 10th-12th

Specially curated feature films focus on issues that impact women around the globe.

Chicago premiere of #chicagoGirl and India’s Daughter (Banned in India)

Special guests will host film talk-back

For the second year in a row, the Wilmette Theatre will host “The Family of Woman Film Festival” from April 10th-12th. The Festival will screen three documentaries about women whose lives have made a significant impact in the world. Each film will be followed by discussions with filmmakers and/or subjects of the films. Tickets are $10 and available at the box office or online at: wilmettetheatre.com.

The Family of Woman Film Festival was founded in Sun Valley, Idaho, in 2008, by Peggy Elliott Goldwyn to bring attention to major issues confronting women and girls worldwide. In 2015, the Family of Woman Film Festival launches a new partnership with Women Deliver, a leading global advocate for girls’ and women’s health, rights and wellbeing.

2015 The Family of Woman Film Festival Line-Up

#ChicagoGirl, Friday, April 10th, 7:30pm CHICAGO PREMIERE SCREENING

#chicagoGirl is an inspiring documentary about a young Chicago teen, Alaa Basatneh, who uses social media to coordinate the revolution in Syria. Citizen journalists in Syria, armed with Facebook, Twitter, Skype and camera phones, work with Alaa to document and publicize the human rights atrocities of dictator Bashar al-Assad. Through social media, Alaa plans protests, maps escape routes and provides the world an insider view of the brutal conflicts and deadly battles raging in Syria. As the situation grows increasingly desperate, she sneaks into the country herself, at great risk. chicagogirlfilm.com

Alaa will be at the Festival in Wilmette and provide filmgoers with an up-to-the-minute report about the situation in Syria.

There will be an opening reception for the Festival on Friday evening, April 10th from 6:00pm-7:30pm. The event will be hosted by Festival founder, Peggy Elliott Goldwyn and honors Alaa Basatneh, the star of “#chicagoGirl.” The reception will be held at de Guilio Kitchen Design, 1121 Central Avenue in Wilmette. Tickets are $25 (price includes movie).

India’s Daughter, Saturday, April 11th, 7:00pm CHICAGO PREMIERE SCREENING

India’s Daughter is currently creating a media frenzy throughout the world. This documentary of the brutal assault of a 23 year-old medical student has been banned in India. The film explores the gang rape and murder in Delhi of an exceptional young woman by six men on a moving bus. Her death sparked unprecedented protests and riots throughout India and led to the first glimmers of a change in the traditional Indian mindset. Interwoven into the story are interviews with the rapists, who are sentenced to death by hanging. The film examines Indian society and why women become the targets of such violent acts. It also makes an optimistic and impassioned plea for change.

Filmmaker, Leslee Udwin, will be at the screening and participate in the Q&A following the movie.

The Supreme Price, Sunday, April 12th, 2:00pm

This feature documentary from Nigeria, tells the story of Hafsat Abiola and her family. After her father became Nigeria’s first democratically elected president, he was overthrown in a coup. Her mother, while campaigning for her husband’s release, was assassinated. Soon after her mother’s death, her father mysteriously died in prison. Hafsat was a college student in America at the time. Her life is forever changed when she is called upon by the Nigerian government to return to her country and help its most marginalized population: women and girls. This film traces Hafsat’s work with the Pro-Democracy Movement in Nigeria and her efforts to increase the participation of women in leadership roles.

The Supreme Price received the Gucci Tribeca Spotlighting Women Documentary Award and was named Best Documentary at Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF). An extended trailer from the film was commissioned to launch Gucci’s Chime for Change Women’s Empowerment Campaign at TED 2013. joannalipper.com/filmmaker/supreme-price

This event is made possible by the generous support of the following sponsors: de Guilio Kitchen Design, Frances E. Streit Foundation, Persimmon, and Women Make Movies.

Visit wilmettetheatre.com for the latest information on the Family of Woman Film Festival and to purchase tickets.

Media: For interviews, hi-res images, bio info, additional film information and advance screeners, please contact: shelly@burgeonagency.com, 773.398.6154

About The Family of Woman Film Festival:

The Sun Valley, Idaho-based Family of Woman Film Festival was established eight years ago by Peggy Elliott Goldwyn. Goldwyn has been immersed in the film industry for decades, including 20 years as vice-president of the Samuel Goldwyn Company. familyofwomanfilmfestival.org

About Peggy Elliott Goldwyn:

Peggy Elliott Goldwyn began her career as a writer for situation comedy television shows including ”That Girl,” “The Odd Couple,” “Happy Days” and others. She’s written and directed documentaries, is a published author and blogs for The Huffington Post. Goldwyn is available for interviews.

About the Wilmette Theatre:

The not-for-profit Wilmette Theatre is the premiere multi-arts and performance center anchoring the downtown Wilmette business district by providing vibrant entertainment, education and enrichment for the community. 1122 Central Avenue, Wilmette, IL, 60091. wilmettetheatre.com | 847.251.7424.

Community Sponsor: North Shore Community Bank

Centennial Media Sponsor: Make it Better