Carolyn Sharaway

Union County

Union

Elizabeth

New Jersey

Essex County

Eric Kiefer

New York City Metropolitan Area

Newark

Cranford

Maplewood

South Orange

Clark-Garwood

Hudson County

Caren Lissner

Jersey City

Springfield

Westfield

Millburn-Short Hills

Middlesex County

Carly Baldwin

Woodbridge

Various Venues

Woman in Media – Newark (WIM-N) proudly announces the 17th Annual Women's International Film Festival (WIFF), taking place July 30–31 and August 1 and 6, 2026, with virtual screenings on August 7, 2026. The festival will showcase powerful independent films from around the world that illuminate the experiences of women and explore themes of justice, identity, resilience, environmental stewardship, and social change.
For seventeen years, the Women's International Film Festival has provided a platform for emerging and established filmmakers whose work amplifies women's voices and inspires meaningful dialogue. Through compelling storytelling, the festival brings together filmmakers, advocates, artists, students, and community members to examine issues that shape our world while celebrating the creativity and leadership of women.
Among this year's festival highlights are three acclaimed feature documentaries:
<ul>
 <li>The Delivery Line: Midwives on the Frontline, directed by Nance Ackerman, chronicles the extraordinary courage of Ukrainian midwives who continue delivering babies while navigating the realities of war. The film is a moving testament to resilience, compassion, and the unwavering commitment of healthcare workers on the front lines.</li>
 <li>The Bengali, directed by Kavery Kaul, is a deeply personal exploration of identity, migration, and belonging. The Bengali tells the untold story of ties between South Asians and African-Americans in the U.S. In the late nineteenth-century, men from India arrived in the United States and married African-American women. The men were Muslims; the women were Christian. Together, they built families in an America that held them all at arm’s length.</li>
 <li>A Beast Touch the Mountain: Mountain Valley Pipeline and the Fight for Appalachia examines the ongoing struggle of Appalachian communities to protect their land, water, and way of life, highlighting the determination of local women activists confronting one of the nation's most controversial energy projects.</li>
</ul>
These films exemplify the festival's commitment to presenting stories that challenge audiences, foster empathy, and encourage dialogue about the issues affecting communities around the world.
As part of the festival, Woman in Media – Newark will also honor five extraordinary women whose leadership and service have made a lasting impact on their professions and communities. The 2026 Trailblazing Women are: Desiree Hadley, Newark Mayor’s Office of Film and Television; Rev. Eyesha Marable, Assistant Vice President of Community Engagement at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center; Elizabeth Parchment, New Jersey Motion Picture &amp; Television Commission; Theresa Perry Lewis, Educator, producer/director; Diane Raver, founder, Garden State Film Festival.Each honoree embodies the spirit of courage, innovation, and service that the Women's International Film Festival seeks to celebrate.
"Our festival is about more than film," said Pamela Morgan, Executive Director of Woman in Media – Newark. "It is about creating a space where stories can build understanding, inspire action, and connect communities across cultures. We are equally proud to recognize this year's Trailblazing Women, whose leadership continues to strengthen our communities and inspire future generations."
Since its founding, the Women's International Film Festival has remained committed to making independent cinema accessible to everyone. Festival events are designed to encourage community participation, elevate underrepresented voices, and celebrate the transformative power of storytelling. Admission is free and open to the public, reflecting Woman in Media – Newark's commitment to ensuring that these important stories are available to all.
For the complete festival schedule, film descriptions, honoree information, and registration, visit: <a href="https://bit.ly/wiff2026" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://bit.ly/wiff2026</a>
About Woman in Media – Newark
Woman in Media – Newark is a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating, empowering, and advocating for women through film, media, and the arts. Through the Women's International Film Festival and year-round programming, the organization supports independent filmmakers, promotes civic dialogue, and recognizes women whose work advances equity, creativity, and positive social change.

Local Event: Women's International Film Festival

Women's International Film Festival

Woman in Media – Newark (WIM-N) proudly announces the 17th Annual Women's International Film Festival (WIFF), taking place July...

118 Division Street, Elizabeth, NJ Tel (908) 355-2060 07201
Fax (908) 355-5094
<a href="http://www.theelizabethcoalition.org" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">theelizabethcoalition.org</a>
July 20, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact Carolyn Sharaway, Interim Director of Development at
<a href="mailto:carolyn@sharawayconsulting.com" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">carolyn@sharawayconsulting.com</a> with inquiries.


Elizabeth, NJ &mdash; The Elizabeth Coalition to House the Homeless (ECHH) is pleased to announce it has received a generous grant from the Summit Foundation to strengthen emergency shelter and hospitality&nbsp;services for individuals and families experiencing homelessness in Union County.


This funding comes at a critical time as the demand for safe, accessible emergency shelter continues to grow.&nbsp;The grant will enable the Elizabeth Coalition to provide temporary motel accommodations for households experiencing homelessness, offering immediate safety and stability while working to connect families to more&nbsp;permanent housing through our other programs.



The ability to quickly shelter and stabilize families allows our team to address the underlying barriers to housing while reducing the trauma and uncertainty that often accompany homelessness. By meeting families'&nbsp;immediate needs, we can provide more coordinated support, improve outcomes, and help them transition more&nbsp;quickly to safe, permanent housing.



By strengthening this critical safety net, the Elizabeth Coalition can continue to respond to urgent housing&nbsp;crises, reduce the length and impact of homelessness, and support more people on their path to long-term&nbsp;housing stability.


"We are incredibly grateful to the Summit Foundation for their investment in our mission," said Dan McGuire,&nbsp;Chief Executive Officer. "Their support allows us to respond to urgent community needs with compassion and&nbsp;dignity while strengthening the services that help our neighbors navigate the path from homelessness to stable&nbsp;housing."



The Elizabeth Coalition has served Union County for more than four decades, providing emergency shelter, transitional and permanent supportive housing, homelessness prevention, rapid rehousing, case management,&nbsp;and supportive services that empower individuals and families to achieve self-sufficiency. The Coalition&nbsp;remains committed to ensuring that every person has access to safe housing and the resources needed to&nbsp;build a brighter future.




Contact Carolyn Sharaway, Interim Director of Development at <a href="mailto:carolyn@sharawayconsulting.com" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">carolyn@sharawayconsulting.com</a> with&nbsp;inquiries.118 Division Street, Elizabeth, NJ Tel (908) 355-2060 07201


<a href="http://www.theelizabethcoalition.org" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">theelizabethcoalition.org</a>
About The Elizabeth Coalition to House the Homeless
Founded in 1981, ECHH offers comprehensive homelessness prevention services, as well as rapid rehousing,transitional and permanent housing, street outreach and sheltering services for those experiencing homelessness. The organization&rsquo;s holistic approach combines street-level engagement, rental assistance,case management and advocacy to help those in need achieve long-term housing stability.

Elizabeth Coalition to House the Homeless...

118 Division Street, Elizabeth, NJ Tel (908) 355-2060 07201...

Elizabeth Coalition to House the Homeless Receives Grant from Summit Foundation to ﻿﻿Expand Emergenc

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Carolyn Sharaway, Neighbor

Posting Activity

Women's International Film Festival

Elizabeth Coalition to House the Homeless Receives Grant from Summit Foundation to Expand Emergenc

Nearby Communities

State Edition

National Edition

Posting Activity

Women's International Film Festival

Elizabeth Coalition to House the Homeless Receives Grant from Summit Foundation to ﻿﻿Expand Emergenc

Elizabeth Coalition to House the Homeless Receives Grant from Summit Foundation to Expand Emergenc