Miami Festival Focuses on Women Filmmakers

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Wed, 01/13/2016 - 13:39 -- Nick Dager

Cinematographer Kirsten JohnsonA unique partnership with Google on a new seminar series addressing gender and racial gaps in the film industry, particularly in technical cinematographic roles, is among new highlights unveiled today by Miami Dade College's Miami International Film Festival, as Festival organizers count down to the 33rd edition of the acclaimed annual event March 4 - 13, 2016.  The Festival is the only major film festival produced and presented worldwide by a college or university. The Festival also unveiled 21 additional new feature films for the 2016 program, highlighting some of the year's most superb accomplishments. All the films have the special distinction of having been directed by women.  

The Google Seminar Series on Gender & Racial Gaps In Film & Tech will take place in The Idea Center at Miami Dade College and other locations over four days, March 5-8, within the overall Festival program. Among the highlights of the series will be veteran cinematographer Kirsten Johnson's screening and discussion of her feature memoir, Cameraperson, set to world premiere at Sundance Film Festival later this month. Johnson's film covers her extensive career working on such films as Citizenfour and The Invisible War.

"Google has changed the world of technology and information in swift and radical ways," noted the Festival’s executive director & director of programming Jaie Laplante. "Who better to lead a new charge at changing long-standing gender and racial inequalities in opportunities in the world of film and technology? We are incredibly honored that Google has chosen Miami International Film Festival as a forum to discuss solutions and inspire new filmmakers wanting to scale the heights of their chosen profession."

“Our research shows that when it comes to encouraging women and underrepresented minorities to pursue careers in computer science and other technical fields, positive role models matter, which makes the work of the film industry so powerful,” said Julie Ann Crommett, Google CS Education in Media Program Manager. “We’re thrilled to support the Seminar Series on Gender & Racial Gaps In Film & Tech at The Idea Center at Miami Dade College to shed light on this important issue and inspire more creators to showcase positive portrayals of women and underrepresented minorities in tech.”

Miami Dade College’s Miami International Film Festival http://www.miamifilmfestival.com