NFMLA's InFocus: Female Cinema Showcases Narratives of Independence, Release, and Retribution.

      NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA) held its March Monthly Film Festival, highlighting emerging female talent both in front of and behind the camera during this month’s InFocus: Female Cinema, which featured two shorts programs and the Los Angeles premiere of Varda Bar-Kar’s documentary, Janis Ian: Breaking Silence.

      The day kicked off with InFocus: Female Cinema Shorts I, showcasing works and narratives centered on women, presented by up-and-coming female talent. The shorts explored themes such as finding one's place in the world, belonging, self-determination, community building, revenge, processing loss, and letting go.

      This segment began with films produced through the Black Girls Film Camp, an initiative aimed at nurturing the next generation of storytellers. High school Black girls from across the U.S. were invited to pitch story ideas, and ten participants are selected annually for film production through the program.

      The event progressed with InFocus: Female Cinema Shorts II, featuring another exciting lineup of films created by emerging female filmmakers. This program addressed subjects such as menstruation, intergenerational relationships, sexual awakenings, the pursuit of perfection, bodily autonomy, and women’s empowerment. This block was presented in partnership with the Alliance of Women Directors (AWD).

      The evening wrapped up with the Los Angeles premiere of Janis Ian: Breaking Silence, a captivating documentary by Varda Bar-Kar showcasing the influential singer-songwriter. “She is an iconoclast who pushes boundaries and challenges societal norms. Through her music, she speaks against oppressive social conventions. Beyond her significant artistic contributions, she has advanced civil rights, women’s rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and human rights,” states Bar-Kar.

      NFMLA presents films from filmmakers of diverse backgrounds throughout the year, featuring both general and InFocus programming. Filmmakers are encouraged to submit their works for consideration in future NFMLA Festivals, independently of the InFocus schedule, which aims to enhance representation by highlighting various filmmaker communities within the NFMLA Monthly Film Festival. This initiative is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts.

      Here’s additional information about the filmmakers and their films, along with interviews conducted by NFMLA.

      “The Ladies” directed by Juliana Piscina

      About Juliana: Julie Piscina is a comedy writer and director from New York, known for her focus on the absurdity and authentic comedic aspects of coming of age and womanhood. Her characters bring to life the challenges of adolescence and the cherished gift of friendship. She recently graduated from UCLA’s School of Theater Film & Television with a writing and directing MFA, and her thesis project, “The Ladies,” received grant awards from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association and the Motion Picture Association of America, as well as an equipment grant from Sony. She has directed three short films and two series pilots.

      About “The Ladies”: As the new head coach, Tracy discovers that her former high school basketball program has lost its former success. She feels driven to revive the program and recruits the last two remaining players, Emma and Rita.

      Watch the NFMLA interview with Juliana Piscina, the director of “The Ladies.”

      “Mildred 4 A Million” directed by Kimmie P Callaway

      About Kimmie: Kim “Kimmie P” Callaway is a four-time Telly award-winning director, writer, producer, and founder of Pillowfight!! Productions. Originally from Houston, Texas, she attended the eminent High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, specializing in theatre and piano. With a notable connection to Beyoncé, Kim later spent several years in New Orleans, acquiring a television production and theatre degree from Loyola University while gathering inspiration for her writing. After moving to Los Angeles in 2007, she married her favorite DP and became a mother to two kids and a pug.

      About “Mildred 4 A Million”: A vivacious great-grandmother attempts to bond with her great-granddaughter, who is entranced by her tablet, by trying to amass a million followers on TikTok.

      Watch the NFMLA interview with Kimmie P Callaway, the director of “Mildred 4 A Million.”

      “I Think I’d Like to Stay” directed by Brianna Murphy

      About Brianna: “I Think I’d Like to Stay” marks Brianna’s directorial debut. Her unique pathway to filmmaking began with costume design. After a halt in film production in spring 2020, she found herself back home in the Pacific Northwest with ample time to write an anthology of short films. She produced Julian Doan’s short “Raspberry,” which premiered at Sundance in 2021. Brianna has also designed for Sean Wang’s feature Dìdi and Sam Davis’s short “The Singers.” Her costume credits include Stranger Things, This is Us, and Madame Web. A trained Irish storyteller, she enjoys moss, snowboarding, and tea with her cat, Anita Beans.

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