November 25, 2023 – The first edition of the Women’s Film Festival – House of Women’s Film, which represents the diverse and strong voices of female directors from Europe, kicks off today in Zagreb’s Urania for the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.
The festival is inspired by the global movement One Billion Rising, notes 24Sata, which aims to end violence against women and girls through art, protest, rebellion, and solidarity. The movement was initiated by V (Eve Ensler), the author of “The Vagina Monologues”. It operates in more than 90 countries, and its campaign in Croatia and the region is coordinated by Rada Borić.
In addition to celebrating the power and beauty of women’s film, art, and activism, the movement will continue throughout the year with monthly screenings and discussions on topics related to women, art, human rights, and social justice.
“The festival is not only a platform for artistic expression, but also a space for networking, friendship and cooperation among activists, artists, educators and citizens who share the vision of a free and fair society,” the announcement emphasizes.
On the opening day, there will be a discussion about the situation at the Academy of Dramatic Art, with the participation of director Miran Kurspahić, editor Ana Dasović, and independent consultant Dunja Bonacci Skenderović.
The French drama Custody by Xavier Legrand will be screened, a story of post-separation and institutional violence that victims of violence and their children go through in a custody battle. It won the Silver Lion for direction at the Venice Film Festival. As an introduction to the film, the presentation of the research results of Sanja Sarnavka of the Solidarna Foundation was announced.
On Monday, November 27, the program “One billion rising to end violence against women – for freedom” will be presented at the Zagreb Cultural Information Center. Rada Borić will speak about experiences from the region, while Nataša Bijelić (CESI) will talk about youth and gender-based violence (especially violence in young people’s relationships) and the importance of working on the prevention of violence through the school system.
Danijela Stanojević, artistic director and producer of the Women’s Film Festival and the One Billion Rises Against Violence Against Women will talk about the program and panel discussions that will be held throughout this and next year.
The film “Ustanak za Slobodu (Uprising for Freedom)” (27″) by author Danijela Stanojević will be shown, which follows the events that took place on February 11 and 14 this year at Cvjetni Trg and at the Zagreb Dance Center.
The program and details are available on the official Facebook page of the festival.
