Birds Eye View Film Festival 2009

It would be easy to think that the film industry is dominated by men. Most directors are men (in fact, women make up a lowly 7% of feature film-makers), actors are paid more than actresses and most of the studio bosses holding those all-important pursestrings are, ironically, blokes.

Indeed, I have personal experience of this imbalance. Having edited a mainstream film magazine for several years, I know that it's easier to get a man on a cover than a woman - and that, frustratingly, a male cover star equals bigger sales. There have been times where I have been the only female in a screening room, and some of my readers have been rather vocal about what they think about a girl reviewing movies, let alone editing the whole magazine. (Think angry letters written in crayon...)

But, scratch the surface and you'll see that women are everywhere in the industry. From the exceptionally talented writers, PR and studio executives and colleagues I am regularly in contact with to award winning actresses like Kate Winslet and kick-ass producers like Paula Wagner, cinema wouldn't be as diverse, creative and exciting without a strong female presence. And no-one knows that better than the coordinators of the Birds Eye View Film Festival.

Founded as a short film event back in 2002 and launching the UK's first major women's film festival in 2005, Birds Eye View is absolutely devoted to celebrating, promoting and developing the work of outstanding creative women from around the world. Now in its fifth year, the 2009 Birds Eye View Film Festival takes place from March 5 - 13, 2009 at London venues, including BFI Southbank and Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA).

Festival director Rachel Millward and her talented team have certainly secured one hell of a line-up. From screenings of top US indie films of 2008 and several UK premieres, including a Cannes Critics Week Winner, to amazing new work from Afghan women film-makers and premieres of European arthouse gems, the festival promises to be an absolute must for any film fan worth their salt. There are many corkers screening in the festival, but here’s just a handful of the programme highlights…

Frozen River
(Screening March 7)
Having won more international awards than you can shake a stick at (including the Grand Jury Prize at last year’s Sundance Film Festival) and securing Oscar nominations for star Melissa Leo and debut writer/director Courtney Hunt, this searing drama focuses on smuggling and desperation in the wilds of Canada

Wendy and Lucy
(Screenings March 6)
Michelle Williams puts in a jaw-dropping performance in this powerful drama from Kelly Reichardt, about a young woman coping with life moving steadily from bad to worse

Snow (Snijeg)
(Screening March 10 & March 12)
Sarajevo-born film-maker Aida Bejić’s haunting film won the Cannes International Critic’s Week Grand Prix in 2008, and is a beautifully observed drama of life in a remote Bosnian village struggling to rebuild itself after the war.

American Teen (Documentary)
(Screening March 7)
Winner of the Best Documentary at 2008’s Sundance Film Festival, Oscar-nominated director Nanette Burstein’s hugely entertaining doc follows the real life lives of a group of American teens. Gossip Girl, eat your heart out…

Pandora’s Box (Retrospective)
(Screening March 11)
This classic silent feature stars the incredible Louise Brooks as a captivating femme-fatale, whose relationships with the men around her eventually threaten her downfall. This screening will be accompanied by music from The Monroe Transfer

As well as a full programme of screenings, including features, documentaries, shorts and retrospectives, the Birds Eye View Film Festival will also play host to various special events. These include fantastic training sessions, masterclasses from such luminaries as Mary Harron (American Psycho), debates, special mother & baby screenings, parties, regional events and youth screenings. Phew! I’m exhausted just writing that down… imagine how exhilarating it will be to take part in it all.

It doesn’t matter if you’re a wannabe film-maker or just a movie fan, the Birds Eye Film Festival will be the place to be in March. Check out the official website www.birds-eye-view.co.uk for event and ticket information and updates. Sisters really are doing it for themselves...