ABOUT WANDA
We are delighted to deliver a second year of WANDA. This couldn’t have happened without the encouragement and support we received last year, and the continued support this year. Because of this we would like to take the opportunity to thank all at Belfast Film Festival and Film Hub NI for their constant guidance and support.
Building on the back of last year’s successful approach of positioning older films with new works - both politically motivated and of local interest - our hope is this year’s programme continues to find an intergenerational, engaged and enquiring audience.
We are delighted to be opening with Persepolis, a modern feminist classic that deals with both cultural identity and teenage discovery. It’s our first animation feature, and one we are sure will attract a different crowd. On Friday night The WANDA Quiz will not only test your feminist film knowledge but will raise money for the newly formed and essential Rape Crisis NI.
Another exciting element this year is that we are in great company and will be joined by a fantastic panel of film programmers from the UK and Ireland to help launch Film Hub NI’s Women Run The Screen mentoring scheme. The official launch and networking event will be during the festival at QFT, another of our fabulous partners and supporters we would be lost without.
This programme touches on some of Northern Ireland’s leading debates, discussing abortion on screen and the fight for equal marriage rights. We have wonderful speakers at each of our screenings which add so much more to the experience. Our closing film this year is an Irish premiere of Rafiki by Kenyan filmmaker Wanuri Kahiu. Banned in its country of origin due to its depiction of a lesbian relationship, Rafiki is a stunning and nuanced film with a cracking soundtrack and we are so excited to share it with you.
So get browsing, pick out what you want to see and invite your friends!
See you there?
Laura O’Connor & Rose Baker
(WANDA & WANDA)
