It's a big week for the ladies - starting from tomorrow until the following Saturday (4 -11 March) it's International Women's Week, incorporating International Women's Day on the 8th. It's a week to celebrate all that women have achieved, are achieving now and will go on to achieve. As well as celebration of women's past and present, it is a chance for women of all ages, race, class and country to come together in a spirit of co-operation, shared experience and equality to support each other through the things particular to women (and we ain't just talking shoes and handbags).
Among the many events taking place across London for International Women's Week is the Images of Black Women Film Festival at the Tricycle Cinema, Kilburn. This 3 day event starts tonight with the UK premiere of Beah: A Black Woman Speaks, an in-depth look at the life of the African-American poet, actress, teacher, dancer and politcal activist by LisaGay Hamilton and goes on over Saturday and Sunday in a programme that includes workshops, short films and animation. The aim of the festival is broad and exists mainly to increase visibility of African Caribbean women in film as well as:
- create and highlight opportunities to attract more Black women into film at all levels
- help to retain and sustain them within the industry
- showcase established, new and emerging film talent
- unearth hidden cinematic treasures created by, or featuring, Black women from across the globe
- identify the next generation of talent
The Images of Black Women Film Festival also holds two short film competitions with money prizes to support film-makers with their next project: one prize is for women film-makers based in West London boroughs and the other is an international prize. Lots of Q and A sessions are planned as well as many opportunities to see new work, meet new people and generally get involved in this part of the film world.
For more information and to book tickets, go to the Images of Black Women Film Festival website here. For more information on the history of International Women's Day, go here. If you would like to find out more about events happening near you during International Women's Week, check with your local borough for more information or go to the Women In London website here.
