An evening of inspiring films is in store for Bundaberg as the Central Queensland University Branch of the National Tertiary Education Union celebrates women filmmakers at its inaugural Woman Up! Film Festival.
Woman Up! aims to showcase talented filmmakers from around the world, with entries from around 29 countries.
NTEU Regional Co-ordinator Ruth Pickton said the criteria for entries was deliberately broad, as it was left up to the filmmakers to choose what story they wanted to tell.
“We encouraged the use of female characters, but it was not prescribed,” Ruth said.
“We have a wide range of stories – from comedy to tragedy to politics to gender.
“The festival will be a wonderful celebration of modern-day women telling modern stories that deserve to be listened to.”
Ruth said audiences could expect an entertaining and thought-provoking evening that she hoped would broaden audiences’ horizons, while also contributing to a wider community conversation.
“Any issue that involves women involves community, of which we are all a part,” she said.
Woman Up! is a not-for-profit event, with revenue from local ticket sales to be donated to a women’s charity in the city of each screening.
In Bundaberg, the proceeds of the tickets will go to Edon Place Domestic and Family Violence Centre, a not-for-profit community organisation that provides specialist support services in Bundaberg and North Burnett.
To boost the fundraising potential of the event, community members who want to contribute but can’t attend a screening can purchase a virtual ticket, which acts as a donation to the selected charities.
The film festival will screen at Bundaberg CQU campus on Friday 4 August at 6pm, with simultaneously screening around Australia in Brisbane, Mackay, Rockhampton, and Sydney.
The winners of the $500 prizes for open and student film categories will be announced at the screening.
Woman Up! is part of NTEU’s Blue Stocking Week, which honours women in tertiary education.
For more information and to purchase tickets, go to the CQU Woman Up! Film Festival website.
Audiences must be over 18 years old to attend.
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