Photo courtesy of Junior League of Long Beach from LUNAFEST 2016.
Mark you calendar for the Junior League of Long Beach’s 6th annual LUNAFEST, a film festival featuring nine short films made by, for and about women and a fundraiser to support the league’s upcoming year.
Through cinema, LUNAFEST seeks to connect women and their stories with the work of a variety of talented filmmakers. Established seven years ago by LUNA, the makers of the Whole Nutrition Bar for women, the traveling film festival can be used as a fundraiser for nonprofit organizations, and LUNA’s main beneficiary, the Breast Cancer Fund.
LUNAFEST is the league’s sole fundraiser to support their upcoming year, in conjunction with donations made by members and the community, to take place on Sunday, April 2 at the Art Theatre.
“LUNAFEST encompasses everything that Junior League of Long Beach represents in that it embodies what a group of dedicated women from diverse backgrounds can accomplish, whether it is through film, storytelling or helping to build a better community,” Summer Smith, the 2016-2017 LUNAFEST chair, said in a statement.
This year’s films include Another Kind of Girl by Khaldiya Jibawi, a story about a 17-year-old girl’s experience in a refugee camp, Free to Laugh by Lara Everly, a documentary about the power of comedy after prison and The Honeys and the Bears by Veena Rao, consisting of interviews with the senior members of a synchronized swim team.
“The Junior League of Long Beach is an organization about developing the potential of women and improving the community,” President Virginia Zart said in a statement. “Having LUNAFEST as our fundraiser is a natural fit in supporting our mission. I am proud we are able to offer these inspiring, fun and thought-provoking films to the Long Beach community, raise funds to continue making a difference through our programs, all while staying in-line with our mission.”
Proceeds from the event support the Junior League of Long Beach’s 2017-2018 mission and programs, including its work with partners in the community to address bullying through character development and life skills programs for fifth through eighth graders and their caregivers.
Fifteen percent of the proceeds will go toward the Breast Cancer Fund, to support its continued work raising awareness of environmental causes of breast cancer. The 2016 event generated over $42,000, sending $5,800 to The Breast Cancer Fund, according to the release.
“In celebrating our 85th year as a Long Beach-based women’s organization, it is an honor to be able to host LUNAFEST,” said Smith in a statement.
The reception will kick off the event at 11:00AM featuring small plates and libations from local eateries, opportunity drawings and a silent auction. Showtime begins at noon. Tickets can be purchased via the webpage here or at the door if not sold out.
The Art Theatre is located at 2025 East 4th Street.
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