Flip the Record is one of the short films coming to P.A. Tuesday as part of LunaFest. (LunaFest)
LunaFest comes to P.A.

LunaFest to make its debut in P.A.

Mar 4, 2019 | 4:04 PM

A coming-of-age story about a young girl in the 1980s, a woman at the end of her life who must decide who will join her for eternity, a teenage girl attending her first dance, a young woman who finds her childhood diaries while moving out of her parents’ home … these stories and more will be part of a new set of short films coming to Prince Albert this week.

LunaFest will take place Tuesday evening at the John M. Cuelenaere Public Library. It’s the first time the screening is happening in P.A., featuring a curated collection of short films made by, and for, women.

The event will also act as a fundraiser for the Prince Albert YWCA, which supports numerous programs for women and men in the city. Admission is by donation.

Organizers of LunaFest say the event will be a great way to see things from another perspective.

“We want women to see themselves reflected and know that this is possible for them, but also to see stories that are specifically not just about women but maybe more relevant to women’s lives than the way that they’re normally portrayed in film or other media,” said Estelle Hjertaas, who sits on the board of directors for the YWCA. “We still wanted it to be accessible to everyone in the community, but we’re hoping the people will be generous and give to the Y,” Hjertaas said.

LunaFest started in 2000 and since then, has been shown in 175 cities, raising more than $4.7 million for community projects.

With just 2.13 male directors for every one female film director, the people behind LunaFest say there’s room for more women in film. Hjertaas, a local Legal Aid lawyer who has also put her name forward for Liberal nomination in the federal riding of Prince Albert, is working with her colleague, Pam Cuelenaere and others to promote the film screening.

“It’s, I think, of interest to everyone of all ages, we are particularly interested in having women or young women attend, but it’s open to men to attend as well,” Hjertaas added.

Admission to LunaFest is by donation. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with the show starting at 7 p.m.

Charlene.tebbutt@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @CharleneTebbutt

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