Women in Media-Newark will hold its seventh annual International Film Festival March 29 through April 7 in celebration of Women’s History Month. The winner of the Imaging Women: Like Jazz (Women’s Work) cell phone video contest for youth will be announced during the festival. Working in conjunction with Rutgers University, their major partner, WIM-N will host their largest Women’s History Month Film Festival over nine days at six venues. All events are free and open to the public.
“Each year our Festival brings high level content centered on global issues that confront women. It presents an amazing array of independent films from around the world that celebrate the indomitable spirit of women. Our theme this year is Like Jazz and our focus will be on women and the musical art form of jazz, as well as jazz as a metaphor for women’s work,” said Pamela Morgan, Executive Director and founder of the Festival. “We’re delighted with the quality and the breadth of the films that will be screened this year. And, as always, we’re impressed with the talent and expertise of the filmmakers who take part in our Festival.”
The opening ceremony on March 29 at Newark Museum will include a red carpet New Jersey premier for the feature film In the Morning, directed by Newark native Nefertite Nguvu, who recently won the Jury Award for Best International Film at the Terra Di Siena Film Festival in Italy. The Siena judges praised Nguvu for her “great ability in directing a convincing ensemble on sensitive matters such as love, friendship and marriage in modern times, with great skill and direction, penetrating into the depths of human soul.” Nguvu and the cast of In the Morning will be on hand for a discussion following the screening. Other Festival activities will include interviews with filmmakers, panel discussions, vendors, screening of winning Cell Phone Cinema Contest entries and a Silent Auction.
Some highlights include:
March 30
Film shorts screening program
A jazz concert by Mimi Jones’ Fantastic Four featuring Shamie Royston on Piano, Camille Thurman on Sax, Shirazette Tinnin on Drums and Mimi Jones on Bass/ Vocal
April 1
Screening of Reflections of a Blessed Soul: Tribute to Maya Angelou
Screening of Millie and the Lords, a film focused on a young woman’s life changing experience with the Young Lords of Spanish Harlem
April 5
Screening of The Unforgettable Hampton Family with special guest Dawn Hampton
April 6
New Jersey premier of Mary Lou Williams: The Lady Who Swings the Band
April 7
Screening of the autobiographical film Look at Us Now, Mother by Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Gayle Kirschenbaum
In addition, Morgan said, the achievements of six accomplished women will be celebrated during the Festival. They are: Newark cultural activist Liz Deltufo; Wilma Grey, the recently retired Director of the Newark Public Library; Dorthaan Kirk, Newark’s First Lady of Jazz;
Deborah Mitchell, Distinguished Tap Professional; Marjorie Perry, entrepreneur and motivational speaker; and the Hon. M. Teresa Ruiz, New Jersey Senator.
“It’s obvious that it’s a great thing to honor women for all their accomplishments. What makes doing so even more important is that we are acknowledging people who are very talented but are often under-appreciated because of their gender. Women’s history should be celebrated every month,” said Kirk, widow of the jazz improvisationalist Rahsaan Roland Kirk.
Another Women’s History Month activity in Newark related to women and jazz is Like Jazz…A Visual Perspective, an art exhibit featuring work by local women artists. Curated by Gladys Barker Grauer, the exhibit is on display in the lobby of the Victoria Theater at New Jersey Performing Arts Center March 2 – 30. The Women Like Jazz exhibit, also curated by Grauer, opened on January 30, will remain on display at Rutgers Paul Robeson Student Center until the end of June.
