Celebrate 100th Anniversary Of International Women’s Day At The World Of Women: Wow Film Festival

Jan. 24, 2011 - PRLog -- FEATURED GUESTS INCLUDE Minister for the Arts, Hon Virginia Judge MP, Minister for Women, Hon Jodie McKay MP, 'WOW celebrity' patron Claire McCarthy, director of "The Waiting City”, writer, actor, director Matilda Brown (“Underbelly”, “Rake”, “Offspring”), actor, director Zoe Carides ( “Death in Brunswick”, “Packed to the Rafters”, “All Saints,” “Brilliant Lies”, ‘Grassroots”), actor, AnnaLise Phillips, (“Animal Kingdom”,“McLeod’s Daughters”, “All Saints”)

Sydney -siders in need of a cool, affordable yet satisfying indie film fix will be happy to hear that the WORLD OF WOMEN (WOW) FILM FESTIVAL will be celebrating 17 years of women’s short film excellence.  WOW has announced an exciting, diverse showcase of contemporary short films with key creative input by women … fiction, documentary, animation and experimental.  Experience a different storytelling and a unique perspective … “seeing the world through the eyes of women”.   This prestigious festival is presented by Women in Film and Television (WIFT) NSW and screens from March 8-10th in Sydney at Dendy Opera Quays and Parliament House Theatre with the  Australian Excellence in Screen Awards Night on 11th March. The WOW Film Festival will then travel to various locations throughout Australia and overseas.

Celebrate the 100 years anniversary of International Women’s Day, Tuesday March 8th 2011 with the launch of the 17th World of Women Film Festival. at the City of Sydney Library, Customs House at Circular Quay from 12 noon to 1pm..  The Library Session will screen a diverse selection of short films by women filmmakers and feature an exclusive Q&A session with WOW Film Festival Director, Sil-Nyin Cameron.



Opening Night at the Dendy Opera Quays Cinema will  begin at 6.15pm with drinks followed by the screening of an imaginative selection of Australian Shorts at 7pm.  The official WOW Festival Opening After Party will be held at Opera Bar, Lower Concourse Opera House where guests will enjoy drinks, live music and spectacular, uninterrupted views of Sydney Harbour.



Opera Bar -The Official Bar of the WOW Film Festival 2011.  Join us at Opera Bar for 15% off drinks & food post screening each night of the Festival.  Opera Bar offers live music every night from 8.30pm and the best view in Sydney.

WOW 2011 aims to be a festival of discovery, celebration, debate, and entertainment.. WOW Festival Director Sil-Nyin Cameron comments, "Our festival recognizes the diversity of independent filmmaking by women in an industry that’s male dominated and presents the unique vision of seeing the world through the eyes of women.   So join us to enjoy our contemporary exciting best selection of short drama, comedy, animation and documentaries presented by Women in Film & Television NSW (WIFT) NSW to celebrate the 100 years anniversary of International Women’s Day “

Australian film director, Claire McCarthy, is 2011 WOW Film Festival patron and says, “I’m honoured to be this year's patron of the World of Women - WOW Film Festival.   Audiences both in Australia and internationally will be treated to the complexity and eloquence of women’s voices, both as auteurs with unique visions as well as accomplished artists across all aspects of the filmmaking process.  Presented here are a diverse selection of contemporary and vibrant films, all uniquely seeing the world through the eyes of women”



Claire Mc Carthy is a Sydney based writer, director, producer and visual artist.  Her most recent feature film “The Waiting City” premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival (2009) and was released theatrically in Australia.  “The Waiting City” stars Rhada Mitchell ( “Finding Neverland”) and Isabel Lucas ( “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen”, “Daybreakers”) and Joel Edgerton (“Starwars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith”, “Animal Kingdom”). Claire McCarthy has been making internationally acclaimed short films and documentaries and her second feature film is in preproduction.



FILM HIGHLIGHTS include:

“How God Works” directed by Matilda Brown

A Tropfest finalist. Matilda Brown (“Underbelly”,“Rake”,”Offspring”), has inherited the talents of her famous parents Rachel Ward and Bryan Brown where she directs and acts in this amusing story of two opposites who both love the strange ways that God works.

*screening Tuesday 8th March at 7pm

“Franswa Sharl’ directed by Hannah Hilliard

Award-winning comedy: Crystal Bear Award at Berlin Film Festival, IF Media Award for most popular film at Flickerfest, Best Australian Short at Melbourne International Film Festival.

Twelve year old Greg has inherited his father’s competitive streak. On a family holiday to Fiji they have different ideas about where Greg should focus his talents. When his creative pursuits fail to amuse his father Greg goes to bizarre lengths to win him back. Based on a true story.

*screening Tuesday 8th March at 7pm

“Shiny Thing”  directed by Lisa Gloufchis

Starring Melbourne comedian and Triple J breakfast radio host, Tom Ballard, Louise Siversen (“Rush”, “City Homicide”, “All Saints”) and Felicity Soper ( “Rush”, “City Homicide”, “Neighbours”). A heart warming comedy/drama.  17 year old boy Lochlan feels underappreciated by his dazzling attention grabbing mother, but this time Lochlan is not going to let her steal the show.

*screening Wednesday 9th March at Parliament House Theatre at 12.30pm.  Morning tea at 12 noon.

“Not Even a Mouse” directed by Zoe Carides

Actor Zoe Carides (“Death in Brunswick”, “Packed to the Rafters”, “All Saints,” “Brilliant Lies”, ‘Grassroots”) directs this moving drama starring Anna Lise Phillips ( “Animal Kingdom”, “The Boys”), Dan Wyllie (“ Chopper”, “Muriel’s Wedding”, “Romper Stomper”)

A family drama where a prodigal son returns to an excited family, but, trouble looms when anther estranged member of the family turns up on the doorstep.

*screening Wednesday 9th March at Parliament House Theatre at 12.30pm. Morning tea at 12 noon


“Red Water Red” directed by Qing Xie                Sydney Premiere

Blisteringly sensual, an eerie feeling of unease fills every meticulously composed frame." STOCKHOLM International Film Festival (XX Short Film Competition) 2009  *Awards*  WINNER - Film Victoria Award BEST FILM (VCA Premiere Awards 08) // WINNER - GOLD AWARD, Australian Cinematographers Society 2009 // NOMINEE - Kodak-Award NEW DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR 2009


Sadomasochism, the spectre of a dead mother and an elaborate and grotesque fantasy all play a part as a young Chinese girl draws her father into a sexual relationship, and a forbidden feast.  “Red Water Red” is an uneasy story about the bonds of family, the bounds of intimacy, and the returns of love.

*screening Wednesday 9th March at 8.30pm


The complete film festival schedule will be available in February, visit www.wift.org/wow  Confirmed premieres and talent attending  will be forthcoming. Tickets can be purchased in advance at Moshtix.   Media credentials can be obtained by emailing a request to  wowfilmfestival@wiftnsw.org.au no later than February 28th 2011. For all interview and review requests, please contact Renata Bialkowska , wowpublicity@wiftnsw.org.au



Official Sponsors for 2011 festival  include Screen Australia, Arts NSW, Office for Women’s Policy, Department of Premier & Cabinet, City of Sydney, Dendy Opera Quays, Opera Bar, Panavision, Spectrum Films, Tresscox Lawyers, AFTRS, Metro Screen, Wacom, ARRI Australia, Miller Camera Support, Art Resistance, Videocraft, IndieFlix, Corban & Blair, JAM Directions, Australian Directors Guild, Australian Cinematographers Society, SBS Television

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