(Courtesy of Lunafest.org)
The LUNAFEST Film Festival is bringing 11 women-centered short films to Boulder.
The festival will be held 7 p.m. Thursday at the Boulder Theater.
LUNAFEST is a film festival created for the purpose of promoting women filmmakers, raising awareness of women’s issues and supporting women’s non-profit organizations. All the directors are female and all the films focus on women.
Colleen Cooke, the field-marketing representative for Luna, said she loves LUNAFEST because it promotes female filmmakers.
“LUNAFEST is female-directed and female-themed, which is saying something,” Cooke said. “Currently about five percent of Hollywood directors are women. LUNAFEST is a chance to see what female directors have to offer.”
Ticket prices are $15 for non-students and $10 for students.
One hundred percent of all proceeds are donated to charity, according to the LUNAFEST Web site. Fifteen percent of proceeds are donated to the Breast Cancer Fund. Eighty-five percent of proceeds go towards the HealthLinks Foundation.
HealthLinks is a nonprofit organization that provides financial support for cancer survivors unable to afford post-surgical physical therapy. Renee Talbert, marketing director for HealthLinks, said she is excited to be working with LUNAFEST.
“We got hooked up with LUNAFEST because we work with breast cancer patients,” Talbert said. “We also work with different types of cancer patients, both men and women. It’s great to have LUNAFEST supporting this cause.”
Films at the festival include Courtney Cox’s directorial debut, “The Monday Before Thanksgiving,” a film that focuses on the life of a single woman.
Cooke explained the premise of the film.
“ ‘The Monday Before Thanksgiving’ is about a single female whose friends keep trying to set her up,” Cooke said. “It’s great because they eventually realize that she was leading a full, happy life as a single woman.”
The festival includes 10 other films. They vary from serious films about family and economy to creative animated shorts. Despite the variety, all the films focus on women.
When asked about student involvement, Cooke explained a LUNAFEST can be thrown by anyone.
“I would love to get more student groups involved with LUNAFEST,” Cooke said. “All it takes is a little funding and anyone can put on a LUNAFEST anywhere.”
Elisabeth Farmer, a 19-year-old sophomore humanities major, said she is considering attending the festival.
“It sounds pretty fun,” Farmer said. “I don’t have time to put on my own LUNAFEST, but I will probably go to this one.”
To host a LUNAFEST, call Colleen Cooke at: 303-718-7044.
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Lindsay Mullineaux at Lindsay.mullineaux@Colorado.edu.
