1318 Bay Street
Bellingham
WA
A multi-day event featuring exceptional films exclusively from women directors. Four days, 37 films, 15 countries.
This year’s line-up includes feature-length and short documentaries, narratives and animated films that will take audiences around the globe with issues and questions that will stir thoughtful discussion. Among the short films selected this year is a film by 2016 CASCADIA director More Raca. Her film, “Ajo”, which was up for an Oscar nomination this year, follows a young woman who makes a courageous decision to escape an early marriage arranged by her father.
The Festival’s Indigenous Film Program will include the short film “OchiSkwaCho” directed by Jules Koostachin—a three-time returning CASCADIA director and a band member of Attawapiskat First Nation. OchiSkwaCho is a sacred being, known to many Indigenous people as a spiritual messenger. Her film follows Kokoom, a spiritually ailing and elderly two-spirit woman who has to decide whether to stay with her grandchildren or follow the OchiSkwaCho.
In addition, CASCADIA is partnering with Western Washington University to present “China Love” directed by Australian Olivia Martin-McGuire. The documentary explores China’s new position as a globalised country from its restrictive and highly traditional past all through the window of its booming wedding industry. The film, to be shown on WWU’s campus Friday, April 12 at 10 a.m., is open to the public as well as students free of charge. A question and answer session with the director via Skype is planned after the screening.
