2009 Portland Women's Film Festival (POW Fest): March 19-21

March 18, 2009 — PDXPIPELINE

By Kimberly Gehl

POW Fest, Portland Oregon, Hollywood Theater "As one of the 39 film festivals around the world dedicated to exclusively featuring the work of women film makers, POW Fest hopes to inspire more women to pursue this art form….As a woman filmmaker, I feel there is no better place to be than Portland, with so much talent in our own backyard," says Tara Johnson-Medinger, Executive Director of the Portland Oregon Women's Film Festival. Or POW Fest, as it is affectionately referred to.

Sour Apple Productions, in partnership with Film Action Oregon, officially kicks off its second year of POW this Thursday night with the screening of local director Rebecca Rodriguez's film Coming Up Easy.

This highly praised debut film provides an honest, thoughtful, and intriguing account of a woman coping with a family whose long cycle of abuse has plagued them. In the true nature of the POW Fest, Rodriguez will be present for the screening and available to answer questions of festival attendees. There will be an Opening Reception after Rodriguez' film.

Friday night's screenings will include Taylor Brodsky's Oscar nominated short film The Final Inch, which provides an in depth look at the fight to cure Polio and continuing efforts to eradicate it from the impoverished parts of the world where it still devastates.

The festival provides a full line-up on Saturday, beginning with a discussion about the possible development of a Portland chapter of “Women in Film and Video (WIFV).” This event is an open invite to the public, and organizers hope to provide networking and open dialogue about this exciting opportunity.

Saturday's evening festivities begin with a screening of Ida Lupino's 1953 feature The Bigamist, which is offered for only $3/person. This event serves as an homage to Lupino, who will always be considered a female filmmaking pioneer. During her 48-year career, Lupino appeared in 59 films and directed nine.

The Festival's Closing Night Party will be held at Tony Starlight's Lounge and Supper Club (located at 3728 NE Sandy Blvd) and will be free for all POW Fest Pass Holders and Saturday ticket holders.

This festival is about more than women who make film. It is about promoting creativity in all women and praising those who have self-taught, self-guided and made strides for the rest of us. The networking, promotion and inspiration this festival has to offer is incredible, and I hope to see some of you there. You can follow me @pdxtweet on Thursday night for live streaming video from the opening ceremony.

Tickets can be purchased online and in person at The Hollywood Theatre box office. For all film listings, screening schedule, tickets, trailers, visit www.powfest.com.

When: Thursday-Saturday
Where: Unless otherwise noted, all events at the Hollywood Theater
How much: Unless otherwise noted, $8/person; $7/students and seniors
Festival passes can be purchased for $25/person
More info: Visit www.powfest.com to purchase tickets, view film listings, screening schedules and trailers.

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Kimberly Gehl is an independent filmmaker, devoted cinephile, dancing/karaoke/concert enthusiast and die-hard portvangelist. Keep up with her on twitter by following @writeinmovement