PORT TOWNSEND — This weekend’s second annual Women in Film Festival is about more than just the movies.
The festival is designed to mitigate Hollywood’s gender imbalance by exposing attendees to great work they might never see elsewhere, said Janette Force, executive director of the Port Townsend Film Festival, which is putting on the event.
This year’s festival will start at 10 a.m. today, with the last film ending at 3 p.m. Sunday, in both auditoriums of the Rose Theatre, 235 Taylor St.
It is an intimate affair, screening nine feature and two short films about, made by or concerning women, but not to the exclusion of men.
For men, too
“A man from Seattle called me the other day and said, ‘Why wouldn’t I go to a women’s film festival? I love women and want to know their perspective,’ ” Force said.
Unlike the fall festival, scheduled this year for Sept. 23-25, this weekend’s event screens each film just once so no attendees can see every movie.
“I wanted to give people a choice but make it as hard as possible,” Force said.
As of Thursday, about 200 passes — each $75 — had been sold with another 56 remaining.
At registration, attendees make reservations for the movies they want to see.
Force said a certain number of rush tickets will be available at the box office for each show.
Anyone who shows up, pass holder or not, has a chance to get in.
The festival sponsors special screenings of movies throughout the year, and this weekend’s event could be a source for some of the films, Force said.
“This is a great place to judge the audience reaction, to determine whether I should bring one of the films back for a special showing or at the festival,” she said.
Highlight films
Force said two highlight films are “It Had to Be You” at 10 a.m. today and “Screenagers” at 1 p.m. today, both in the Rosebud Theatre, which is part of the Rose Theatre.
“It Had to Be You” is a romance that flips the traditional male/female roles, telling the story of a besotted man pursuing a woman who doesn’t want to commit.
“Screenagers” examines how young adults are struggling over their prolific use of social media, video games and Internet addiction.
Main event
The main event is a showing at 7 p.m. tonight of “Cameraperson,” a documentary by filmmaker Kirsten Johnson that chronicles her 25-year professional career and personal life.
After the screening will be a roundtable discussion that includes many of the festival’s exhibitors.
If demand exists, Force will expand next year’s festival with more movies and theaters, but she doesn’t plan to establish any more topic-specific mini festivals.
“I don’t think I could add another event like this,” she said.
For a full schedule or to purchase tickets, go to http://tinyurl.com/PDN-film-schedule.
For more information, call 360-379-1333.
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
