Film buffs gathered at the Project Contemporary Art Space to watch the first annual Wollongong Film Festival in October.
Local film maker and Festival Director, Gia Frino is excited about what the festival can bring for other local film makers.
“I’m a feminist and I feel that women film makers need an outlet and a platform to showcase their talent, while raising money for a very worthy cause for the One Girl Foundation.
The One Girl Foundation has a fundraising event each year called ‘Do it in a Dress Campaign’. Ms Frino said that this was the reason she chooses to get involved with the foundation.
“They enable the girls to make steps towards independence and self-efficiency, and that starts with the education of girls,” she said.
“They pay for girls to go to school, from when they first start to when they graduate.
“They pay for all the books, bags and pens, as well as sanitary items and other things that they may need to be able to go to school.”
With all proceeds going to The One Girl Foundation, Wollongong Film Festival is about celebrating women both on and off the screen.
Since 2011, One Girl has supported the education of over 12,000 women and girls. Less than 2 per cent of girls finish primary school in Uganda and up to 50 per cent of girls in Uganda and Sierra Leone are married before they turn 18.
But with education, a girl’s income will increase between 10 to 25 per cent for every year she stays in school. Ninety percent of that income will be invested in her family.
Petrice Graham, an entrant in the contest, said that one of the reasons she entered was because of The One Girl Foundation.
“It’s brilliant, without question, it educates girls in third world countries,” she said.
“Education is the key, it means jobs, it means less poverty, it is linked to wonderfully positive things.
Ms Frino hopes that this festival will become an annual event.
https://youtu.be/9LiXPLS5qtM
The Wollongong Film Festival was held at the Project Contemporary Art Space, located on Keria Street on Saturday 29th of October.
Local film maker and Festival Director, Gia Frino is excited for the Festival. “I’m a feminist and I feel that women film makers need an outlet and a platform to showcase their talent, while raising money for a very worthy cause in the One Girl Foundation.”
There has been a lull in film festivals over the past 10 or so years, and with the introduction of the Wollongong Film Festival, local talent now have a platform to showcase their talent to family and friends.
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