Latest news with #WomenFilmFestival
CBS News
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Denver Women+Film event honors actress Julia Stiles, celebrates her directorial debut
On Friday afternoon, surrounded by gorgeous spring foliage, the Denver Botanic Gardens was filled with film enthusiasts as the Women+Film Festival began its weekend-long celebration. CBS Presented by Denver Film, Women+Film honors the remarkable achievements of women in cinema and amplifies their voices through outstanding storytelling. This year, actress Julia Stiles was in attendance, receiving the Barbara Bridges Inspiration Award. Bridges presented Stiles with the award, calling her "one of the most fearless and talented actresses in Hollywood." The crowd also enjoyed a film screening of her directorial debut, "Wish You Were Here." Stiles wrote and directed the adaptation of Renee Carlino's best-selling book. The film was released by Lionsgate in January 2025. "This is a total dream come true because the story means so much to me," she told CBS News Colorado First at 4 Anchor Mekialaya White, who emceed the luncheon. "I think this kind of story is necessary in our world today." CBS CBS Colorado is a proud partner of the Women+Film Luncheon. The Women+Film Festival continues throughout the weekend, featuring a marketplace and an evening with writer and journalist Elizabeth Gilbert. "This festival is designed for you to connect with your peers and community," said Denver Film Programming Manager Ambriehl Turrentine. CBS "Women+Film does more than promote films from emerging and seasoned female filmmakers," added Denver Film Director of Development Amy Weiner Wiess. "It provides an opportunity to highlight important issues, foster dialogue, share diverse perspectives, and celebrate stories that reshape the landscape of women in cinema. Women+Film is vital to Denver Film's year-round programming, but we can't do it alone. As an arts non-profit, we rely on the generosity of community members like you."
CBS News
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Denver Film's Women + Film Festival celebrates women on the silver screen
Denver Film has a dynamic line-up for its Women + Film Festival. The program includes ten feature films, a shorts program, receptions, a marketplace and panel conversations. The Festival kicks off with a luncheon in which actress/director Julia Stiles will be receiving the Barbara Bridges Inspiration Award. There will be an awards presentation, conversation with Stiles, and a screening of her directorial debut, "Wish You Where Here." "We're going to have a pre-party for the film 'SALLY.' It's about Sally Ride, the astronaut so it'll be space-themed, super fun," said Ambriehl Turrentine, Programming Manager for the Women + Film Festival. "Then we'll have two community conversations throughout the festival. One about sexuality on screen and how its depiction has evolved over time. The second one being about moral panics and how they effect the most marginalized of society." Women + Film Luncheon Red Carpet 2024 CBS The Making of a Moral Panic panel discussion will be on Sunday after the closing night screening of "The Librarians," which follows several librarians in Texas as they battle against book bans and fight for First Amendment Rights. The panel discussion will include Janique E.. Robillard, producer of the film; journalist Owen Swallow; and James LaRue, Executive Director of the Garfield County Public Library District. "We really just look for films that are bold, telling fresh stories from new perspectives and thought provoking, and of course, we make sure they reflect both emerging talent and established talent," Turrentine explained. The Women + Film Festival will also feature a marketplace in the lobby of the Sie FilmCenter, which will be made up of local, women-owned businesses. This year Denver Film is hosting a Sip and Craft event on the outdoor patio which will include cocktails and crafts. "I think the films are powerful, the guest and filmmakers coming are super inspiring, the audiences are so passionate, so seeing all that come together in one spot is really worth it," Turrentine said. LINK: For Tickets & Information for Women + Film Festival Denver Film's Women + Film Festival runs May 30 - June 1, 2025 at the Sie FilmCenter in Denver.
