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This past summer, amidst the backdrop of an impending family tragedy. Where family and friends got together to reflect, look through pictures and even old videos. We took the time to do just that. With nightly backyard talks surrounded by tiki torches and liquid ease in our cup holders.
 
Among the family and friends that visited and reminisced over the pictures we sorted and memorable stories told, a surprising artifact swept up to the surface; My parents wedding video.
 
It was in the 80’s and was originally on VHS tape that got converted to a disc. As a wedding videographer but most importantly as the child of the couple in the wedding video, this was a big deal. Having heard countless stories of this day and imagining how the origin of my story rooted on this day, I couldn’t wait. The footage, was everything that I imagined and more, footage of me as a baby, of all the family members now older and some gone. Most jarring of all; seeing my parents at the age that I am now, in love and on the cusp of starting the next chapter of their lives.
 
Though nothing fancy or particularly traditional, in all actuality they didn’t even have a wedding. Rather they eloped at the local courthouse and the next day they had a reception celebration in my grandmother’s backyard. As well, the video itself mind you was true 80’s style, super old school but without the embarassing guest messages. No editing, no type of cinematic filmmaking, 10-minute montage of romantic scenes or idyllic getting ready shots.  Hell my mom didn’t even wear a white dress.
 
Besides all that, when I sat down to watch the video, I was completely mesmerized and taken on a ride 29 years in the past and boy was it priceless and precious. Seeing your family and culture documented in its natural habitat is a magical thing. It brings a sense of identity and it is very comforting. Especially if it is something that doesn’t happen often anymore.
 
I am so thankful for that video, to reference my lineage, to one day show to my kids and point out their great grandparents, uncles, and aunts in motion. It is a true treasure. A reason why I say that everyone deserves to have their love story told, it encompasses so much of what life means to you and the people you love.  Because that is what life is, getting together with your favorite friends and family and celebrating. Having those moments captured with intention and beautifully is incredibly valuable and shouldn’t break the bank.
 
That is why at Milan Arielle Productions we work with every couple and every budget to bring the story of your life to video, in any capacity, style, and beyond. We strive to make it happen as the most important future keepsake to have.
 
I hear all the time that couples wished that they had gotten a video of their wedding but never heard I wish I didn’t have a wedding video. Photos are nice to look at, but videos let you live a major chapter of you story again.
 

 
As we continue to strive for this space to be a resource for female filmmakers to be inspired and informed on the film industry. I wanted to share viable information on some opportunities that specifically cater to the female filmmaker. Many say that this is the best time to be a female filmmaker; I say it is just the awakening.
 
Whether you want to contribute as a writer, producer, actress, director or all four. The best way to do this… just go out and do something! Whether you have an iPhone or the means to rent a Red. If you can just make something, the potential can be spotted and many are seeking just that.
 
Whatever it is, send it a long to the list below of female friendly film festivals ready for the next female Tarantino to blow a hole through the main stream way of studio filmmaking. Below find our Top 10 Film Festivals for Female Filmmakers.
 
1. Bushwick Film Festival
 
MAP Blog became inspired to write this post after stumbling upon an inspiring YouTube Video about a black female film festival founder specifically seeking to bring a bright light on films made and produced by filmmakers of color. Talk about FUBU, and what a beautiful thing it is, shifting the paradigm of the art of independent film industry. Having just announced their selection of 2018 filmmakers last month, the early deadline of February 15, 2019 for next years contest is not to far away. This one will definitely be on our radar for next year.
 
2. Artemis Women in Action Film Festival
 
It’s no secret that over here we love a female action hero, to us there is nothing better than seeing a strong female come out victorious, even saving others in an event of adversity. A signal of hope for all the real life female hero’s out there, as well as a great message to send to young women. Artemis Women in Action Film Festival is dedicated exactly to this cause.  Filmmakers can submit features, screenplays, and even music that celebrate women in kick ass roles, submissions for 2019 are now open.
 
3. Female Eye Film Festival
 
We can all agree that Hollywood has been missing the female eye or at least the recognition of the contribution of the female eye and representation of the female eye. In a marginalized world it only takes a few to put their foot down and demand respect. In this case, in the form of a prestigious film festival bringing female filmmakers to the light in a shut our industry since 2001. Really digging for the voices that are never heard from around the world and amplifying with dire need for others to hear. Filmmaking is a powerful tool and anyone should have equal chance to express themselves in any way they want, there are no rules. Submit your feature now to the Female Eye Film Festival.
 
4. Femme Fontera Filmmaker Showcase
What if filmmakers could blur the lines literally and metaphorically? An inspiring collective of female filmmakers straddling the U.S. and Mexico “border” region yearly hold a showcase to further amplify women filmmakers. Either in the region or around the World whose similarities meet at the cross section that filmmaking brings about. In only their third showcase, the fourth showcase in 2019 will sure to garner much attention in the current global climate. Submit your short now for the next August deadline.
 
5. Future Femme Festival Scriptwriters Prize
 
Don’t take for granted the ability of writing down thoughts and telling stories that are true to you. Even if just a glimmer of something provoking enough to invoke an empathetic emotion. With just a document software and a laptop you have the possibility to share to the World. If you don’t have a camera or the means to produce a film, Future Femme Festival Scriptwriters Prize provides the possibility to have your story be taken seriously. Embracing the idiosyncrasies of women’s perspectives, told by women. To enter for the next prize you will have to wait till next year, but that is plenty of time to do rewrites on your script.
 
6. High Falls Women’s Film Festival
 
Steeped in the history of woman’s equality and filmmaking in America. The High Fall Women’s Film Festival based in Rochester, NY is same location where Susan B. Anthony began her first fight and George Eastman invented the Motion Picture Film. High Falls commitment to women in film is seen with it’s selection of high quality storytelling with categories in documentary, features, and shorts. Although the selection for 2018 have just been made, filmmakers can start gearing up to even just attend talks and screenings in a beautiful and thriving scene.
 
7. Portland Oregon Women’s Film Festival
 
Portland has a reputation of being on the helm of progressive thoughts and doings, filled with communities creating spaces for their own sect. POW delivers just that, a punch right to the exclusivity of woman directors in a film festival. With the requirement for submission being that a film must be directed by a woman or one that identifies as non-binary. POW is now accepting submissions for their 2019 festival.
 
8. California Women’s Film Festival
 
If you want to be in the heart of Hollywood among a fierce group of peers, CWFF is a great film festival to submit to. With two seasonal events a year, filmmakers have twice the chance to get accepted. The festival features networking events with professionals in every sector of filmmaking. The January CWFF is soon approaching and although the entries have just closed the summer festival will so be here before you know it.
 
9. Brooklyn’s Women’s Film Festival
  
Brooklyn, another community building place, almost the mecca of the pulsing diverse art scene in America. Female filmmakers can find a haven in BWFF, striving for mostly female or female identifying representation in the films submitted.  So get your girl crew together and make the stories you want to see. Submissions are open for 2019 featuring categories in comedic, dramatic, experimental, animated and documentary shorts.
 
10.  Detroit SheTown Film Festival
 
I couldn’t make a list with out mentioning one centric to my home team, Detroit. The first female film festival in Detroit with its debut being this past fall. This festival is new yet so vibrant and as a Detroit filmmaker it is so refreshing and invigorating to see that the film industry here embrace female stories. We can’t wait to one day participate in this festival, maybe next year? We are putting it out there in the universe!
 
There you have it our Top 10 list of Film Festivals for Female Filmmakers, so get to work! We hope this inspires the female filmmakers out there, to know you have spaces that openly invite your perspective, your artistry. So let it all out and have some fun doing it! Stay tuned for our next post!