Central Illinois Feminist Film Festival Winners

2019 Central Illinois Feminist Film Festival Selections

Fictional Film Selections

First Place: Papital directed by Narges Zakeri

The story is about a scarecrow doing his duty of scaring away the birds and fireflies in a farm, then someday one little bird which is escaping from a huntsman approaches him and hides in his pocket, the scarecrow surprisingly looks at her wondering how would some little bird dare to come near him and tries to send her away, this short animation is under the impression of love from the famouse persian philosopher sohrevardi.

Second Place: Seed directed by Jo Mbulawa

Seed is an isiXhosa film that focuses on a woman named Buhle. Buhle has always been uncertain about motherhood but is surrounded by people who want nothing more than for her to have children. 

She grapples with her fate when she ends up falling pregnant, never revealing her true feelings to her husband, Thabo; a loving and kind man who is desperate to become a father. 

But when a tragic and unexpected ordeal takes place, Buhle is forced to either come clean about how she really feels about the pregnancy or continue living a life that is pleasing to her husband, church and overbearing traditionalist older sister.

Third Place: Specially Brewed directed by Jasyika Goh

Kim, a new barista intern with mild autism and a passion for brewing coffee finally lands her dream job at a cafe. But the stigma associated with her disability creates challenges and obstacles in the pursuit of her dreams.

Honorable Mention: Hazel's Guide to the XY Chromosomedirected by Andrea Turk

Hazel’s Guidebook to the XY Chromosome revolves around the adolescent life of Hazel Hartwright, a quirky young 17 year-old who believes in true love and eventually meeting her ‘Mr. Right’. However, after a few unlucky encounters she almost loses herself in the idea of a romanticized distant future. This rom-com/coming of age movie addresses the theme of love, innocence, and self-discovery, as the protagonist later takes on the role of becoming a hero to herself.

Documentary Film Selections 

First Place: Everywhere We Go directed by Arielle Davis, Elaina Guerrero , Keianna Johnson, Josie Ramirez, Angie Rodriguez

This short documentary follows two teenage girls from communities of color who are battling mental illness and how it affects them in their everyday life. The film explores racial and cultural stereotypes around mental health in Mexican and Black communities.

Second Place: ROAN directed by Thuy Trang Nguyen

The tender relationship unfolds between an elderly Vietnamese grandmother and her granddaughter, who was born and brought up in Germany. While they spend a day at grandmother’s apartment in Berlin-Reinickendorf, they begin to share small discoveries of everyday life and larger, existential questions.

Third Place: G.E.M. directed by Mike Hooves

Where does a bicycle shop fit within feminism? A look into a weekly initiative created to allow people of marginalized genders to comfortably participate in bike shop culture.

Honorable Mention: Declaration directed by Adam E. Stone

Inspired by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), and the art and writing of feminist painter Saribenne Evesong (1931-2009), Declarations uses art, and the art of movement, to examine empathy as a facilitator of sustainable love, peace, and justice.