Author: femalefilmfestival

The irony of this festival is that its goal is to not be around in 5 years time. To eventually not be relevant because there is zero need to have a festival geared for female talent and female stories because the stories presented in Hollywood and around the world are a balanced showcase of the human experience from both sexes.

Our goal is to achieve a lot of success and then fold into oblivion simply because there is no need for this festival.

This festival was created by the FEEDBACK Film & Writing Festival as a simple reaction to a strong need to showcase female talent from around the world in a more profound way.

When putting together the weekly festival, the administration noticed a lack of a female presence in the stories being shown at the festival.

A classic example and analogy to the frustration is how the festival noticed that even the smaller roles in a screenplay were written for a man to play. There was zero reason for this in many stories. How a police officer, or a political campaign manager, for example with 3-4 lines in a screenplay was a "HE" character. Why? And these are the screenplays written by the winners! The talented one who have obtained agents and have began/beginning their careers as a writer.

Retrospective Review: Sudden Fear — In Their Own League

Year: 1952 Runtime: 110 Minutes Director: David Miller Writers: Lenore J. Coffee & Robert Smith Stars: Joan Crawford, Jack Palance, Gloria Grahame By Bianca Garner The Film Noir genre isn’t always the immediate place to go for great female representation. Women in Noir are often presented as the stuffy secretarial type who works silently in […]… Continue reading Retrospective Review: Sudden Fear — In Their Own League

“I, Tonya” and the Preponderance of Trauma — In Their Own League

When you watch the trailer for “I, Tonya” (2017), you get the tonal sense of the film. It is a dark comedy about infamous skating figure Tonya Harding (Margot Robbie). I can yammer on all day about I am still not over Robbie losing the Oscar; her performance is magnetic. She was captivating from start… Continue reading “I, Tonya” and the Preponderance of Trauma — In Their Own League

In Their Own League Hall of Fame: Louise Kolm-Fleck — In Their Own League

The first woman to ever direct a movie was Alice Guy-Blaché. Then came Louise Kolm-Fleck. But there is a significant difference between the two. One has made her mark in the history books, is considered a milestone, and does ring a bell for even those not too familiar with female film history. The other one… Continue reading In Their Own League Hall of Fame: Louise Kolm-Fleck — In Their Own League

Women as disposable objects in “The American” (2010) — In Their Own League

This 2010 film, directed by Anton Corbijn, stars George Clooney as an assassin called Jack who wants to get out of the profession but carries out one more job. He travels to a small village in Italy to build and deliver a bespoke weapon. While there he forms a relationship with a sex worker Clara… Continue reading Women as disposable objects in “The American” (2010) — In Their Own League

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest: Order and Chaos in Society — In Their Own League

“One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” has been on my list for a while; it is one of only three films to have won the Big Five at the Oscars. For you non-Oscar fanatics out there, the Big Five is the coined term for a film that has won all of the five major awards:… Continue reading One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest: Order and Chaos in Society — In Their Own League

“Imagine Me & You” And Its Importance in Search of My Sexuality — In Their Own League

Imagine Me & You” is not the most astonishing picture but it’s still a lovely, warm rom-com with elements of drama. Its subject is essential in regards to pop culture and society, even now. It helped me and shone a light on diversity and, in turn, made me realize my sexual orientation later in life.… Continue reading “Imagine Me & You” And Its Importance in Search of My Sexuality — In Their Own League

Should’ve Been a Contender: Gugu Mbatha-Raw for “Belle” (2013) — In Their Own League

Looking back on the past decade, one of the best and most overlooked leading actress performances is Gugu Mbatha-Raw in “Belle” (2013). It was a strong year for leading ladies at the Oscars, with Amy Adams, Sandra Bullock, Judi Dench, and Meryl Streep nominated and Cate Blanchett taking home the award. And yet, Mbatha-Raw’s performance… Continue reading Should’ve Been a Contender: Gugu Mbatha-Raw for “Belle” (2013) — In Their Own League

Should’ve Been a Contender: Ava DuVernay For “Selma” — In Their Own League

Every year, the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) holds an annual award show honouring the best and boldest in filmmaking. And every year, there is an extensive discourse on who was snubbed or overlooked or incorrectly nominated. I have those opinions each awards season but there is one snub that still gets… Continue reading Should’ve Been a Contender: Ava DuVernay For “Selma” — In Their Own League

Women’s History Month: Mary Pickford — In Their Own League

Earlier this year, “Miss Americana” (2020) was released on Netflix. The documentary delves into Taylor Swift’s status as “America’s sweetheart” and the pressures it puts on her. What it also shows is how this perception of her sometimes masks what a brilliant businesswoman she is and how she’s built her own empire from the ground… Continue reading Women’s History Month: Mary Pickford — In Their Own League