The Oscars has long been criticised for their lack of female director nominations, but this year’s failure to represent women has been particularly conspicuous, due to the many female-directed films that have not only dominated box offices, but are widely acclaimed too.
In a bid to honour the ladies who were snubbed at the Academy Awards earlier this year, The Projector is now presenting an all-year-round Women Make Film Festival, which began around International Women’s Day that fell on Mar 8.
Truly a nod to these amazing female filmmakers, find several movies at the independent arthouse cinema to catch their works on the big screen. Check out Lulu Wang’s The Farewell; Celine Sciamma’s Portrait of a Lady on Fire; Melina Matsoukas’ Queen & Slim; A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood by Marielle Heller and Joanna Hogg’s The Souvenir. And don’t forget to enjoy For Sama, a 2020 Oscar nominee for Best Documentary Feature as well as animated feature The Swallows of Kabul (Les Hirondelles De Kaboul).
Portrait of a Lady on Fire
There’ll even be a special, post-show video call Q&A session with the Director of Antigone, Sophie Deraspe on Mar 13, which all are welcome to participate; plus a post-show talk with Singapore women filmmakers and producers on Mar 14 for Half The Picture. Also screening at The Projector, the latter investigates Hollywood’s systemic gender discrimination which frequently leads to denied opportunities for female talents. Talk about being timely.
Perhaps more will come, as from what we know, the festival is to be held throughout the year. So get your tickets and show up to support these female filmmakers who deserve better; it’s definitely #TimesUp for an #OscarsSoWhite.
More information about The Projector’s Women Make Film Festival available here.
