After the Oscars: Film Festival Time in DC
From Mary Burgan. Email her at mary[AT]@borderstan.com.
No matter what you thought about the Oscar nominations and awards, now is the time to look for new films that offer new experiences.
Today is a good day to get started by attending a film at the All Roads Film Project, “Women Hold Up Half the Sky Film Series,” sponsored by National Geographic in honor of National Women’s History Month.
National Geographic: National Women’s History Month
This year the series offers three films–one tonight, Friday, March 2, at 7:30 pm and two on Saturday, one at 4:30 pm and the other at 7:30 pm. Location is the National Geographic Grosvenor Auditorium, 1145 17th Street NW. An Australian film called Here I Am starts the series this (Friday) evening at 7:30 pm.
“My Wedding and Other Secrets” shows at 7:30 pm on March 3 at the National Geographic Grosvenor Auditorium. (courtesy National Geographic)
Saturday’s offerings include A Small Act from Kenya at 4:30 pm and My Wedding and Other Secrets from New Zealand, at 7:30 pm. You may not experience such an array of global films elsewhere — ones that offer subtitles in Kikuyu, Swedish and Mandarin.
And you are not likely to see films that focus so closely on women’s experiences from around the world. Tickets for these films are relatively cheap compared to inflated prices at a Cineplex. For more information, call 202-857-7700 or visit the website for National Geographic events.
Filmfest DC
And soon it will be time for the biggest festival in the district — Filmfest DC, which begins April 12 and runs for 10 days. The list of films in the series won’t be ready for publication until the end of March, although a pre-announcement promises that this year’s list will include the 2012 nominee for best foreign film, “Monsieur Lazhar” from Canada. There will also be new work from Italy, Iran, Norway, Japan and Russia, Argentina, Cuba and Jamaica.
Film festivals such as Filmfest call for intensive planning. It is impossible to view every film included, even if your take the whole week off from work. So check the website for film announcements, make your choices and buy your tickets early.
Additional Film Festivals in Area
About.com for Washington has information on other film festivals coming to the DC area. The list also includes the outdoor flim venues scheduled for summer 2012 — another opportunity for planning ahead!
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