LUNAFEST, SISP: Festival of short films by,
for and about women March 21

Animation, drama, comedy, music … LUNAFEST, the traveling film festival of award-winning short films by, for and about women is again coming to Santa Paula with a program of eight films filled with stories of reflection, hope and humor.

The March 21 LUNAFEST, again sponsored by Soroptimist International of Santa Paula, will be held at the Community Center (530 W. Main St.) starting with a reception at 7 p.m.; show time is 7:30 p.m. Tickets, only $20 each, are available at the door and are tax-deductible.

LUNAFEST, which will benefit the Breast Cancer Fund and SISP, is also a night of old-fashioned movie house nostalgia with plenty of traditional theater snacks and contemporary servings of wine available to purchase and enjoy with the films.

Established in 2000 by LUNA, the makers of the Whole Nutrition Bar for Women, LUNAFEST connects women, their stories and their causes through short film that can be works of fiction, fact or a combination. This traveling film festival spotlights the work of a diverse array of talented women filmmakers with intelligent, funny and thought-provoking themes whose often-prizewinning works are judged to be LUNAFEST worthy.

The attraction of LUNAFEST said SISP President Heidi Juarez, is “You’re seeing unique films you won’t see anywhere else … and it’s about women seeing films by women about women, their issues and challenges,” that appeal to all — men and women — that admire quality filmmaking.

Each year LUNAFEST has become more and more popular but Juarez promises there will be ample, but limited seating for the once-a-year screening, the only one in Ventura County.

The 2015 LUNAFEST lineup ranges from “Flor de Toloache” about a group of women who daringly form an all female mariachi band and the animated “Miss Todd” centered on a repressed circa 1910 woman who works to understand the principles of flight to “Viva” the true story of the 82-year-old Cornwall woman known as the grandmother of punk. 

“All the films are great,” but Juarez said she is particularly looking forward “Viva” as well as “Tryouts” about a Muslim girl who wants to join her new high school’s cheerleading team (“Interesting because of our times,” said Juarez) and “Lady Parts” about bringing a woman’s touch to the automotive industry. 

“A Good Match” about a divorce that leaves a woman’s former mother-in-law still in the picture, “Chicas Day” where a day out is only a game and “Tits” a story about female exploitation finishes out LUNAFEST 2015.

Although the films couldn’t be more diverse they have a common thread of exceptional storytelling.