(l to r: Tara Johnson-Medinger, Natalie Halpern, Elle Martini, Corrinne Theodoru)
I arrived in Portland at 3:30 a.m. East Coast time and fortunately had a day to settle in before my screening on Sunday, May 18. This was my first time in this very socially and environmentally conscious city, a perfect setting for a festival dedicated to films highlighting important issues impacting women.
Despite the unusually hot, sunny weather the whole weekend (I was prepared for lots of rain), the wonderful selection of films, narrative and documentary, made staying in the red velvet seats of the historic Hollywood Theater an easy choice. The films covered so many compelling topics: the transition from childhood to adolescence ("Going on 13"), the difficult choices an epileptic mother must make to live a normal life ("Rachel: A Perfect Life"), and the unquenchable spirit of an 89-year old woman to affect change in our democracy ("Granny D Goes to Washington"). Meeting the talented women who made some of these films was as fulfilling as sharing "Africa's Daughters" with a new audience.
That said, no matter how many screenings you attend, that moment when you hear people laugh or watch them smile during certain scenes is indescribable. It's that aha! moment where you get to experience all over again the emotional connection you've made with a group of strangers who are now invested in and care about the story you've told.
What makes a festival like the Portland Women's Film Festival so special is the opportunity to share experiences with other filmmakers in an intimate setting. POW Fest Director Tara Johnson-Medinger went out of her way to foster an environment where we could learn from each other, root each other on, and potentially find opportunities for future collaboration. I leave Portland with an even greater love for the craft of filmmaking and the unique perspectives women bring to this inspiring art form.
