11/1/2005

Contact: K.E. Schwab  -- 724-738-2199;  e-mail: karl.schwab@sru.edu

SRU TO AGAIN SPONSOR ‘LUNAFEST’ FILM SERIES; RAISE FUNDS FOR BREAST CANCER

     SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. –  “LUNAFEST,” a film series by, for and about women, will make its second Slippery Rock University presentation at 7 p.m. Nov. 16 in the University Union.

     The series is produced by LUNA, the whole nutrition bar for women, as its national film festival providing a natural platform for emerging women filmmakers to share their stories and to support The Breast Cancer Fund

     Tickets for the event, hosted by the SRU Women’s Studies Program, go on sale in the SRU Women’s Center, Strain Behavioral Science Building, Nov. 1, at $5 for the general public; $3 for students. (Also available from Dr. Jace Condravy, English professor, and at the door.)

     This year’s program will include eight films selected from more than 200 submissions processed through a multi-stage judging process. Considered were technical merit and widespread appeal and by professionals from the fields of film, media, marketing and women’s advocacy.

     The films embody a wide range of topics dealing with what it means to be a woman in the 21st century. Topics include: animated documentary about senior citizens’ sexuality; a woman soldier’s crisis to find someone to care for her children during her Middle East tour of duty; the dilemma of an Egyptian housewife living in Los Angeles, whether to follow tradition and circumcise her daughter; a daughter’s struggle to be understood by her mother; a mother’s search for her missing daughter; a young Asian girl’s internal battle to find herself or continue to try to be “perfect”: the healing power of friendship between an old woman and a troubled young woman; and a humorous look at menopause.

      As part of its goal to generate awareness of women’s issues, the project has raised more than $25,500 for TBCF. SRU Women’s Studies will donate $250 or 15 percent of the proceeds, whichever is higher, to TBCF, a national non-profit dedicated to addressing the environmental causes of breast cancer. Co-sponsoring the event this year are Sigma Tau Delta, the English Honorary; SRU Association of Pennsylvania State, College and University Faculty, PSCUF, the faculty union; and Eric Winder, D.C., at Gentle Chiropractic.

      SRU Women’s Studies Director and Professor of English, Dr. Jace Condravy observed, “We are really excited to be hosting our second Lunafest Film Festival. Last year both students and faculty who attended were really impressed at the quality of the films, several of which left us rolling in the aisles with laughter. So there is a great deal of interest in seeing what the festival will offer us this year. Of course the Women’s Studies Program at Slippery Rock University is always pleased to offer a program that not only generates financial support for one of the most important health issues for women today, but also provides a wonderful community event for women and their friends, families, partners, husbands and boyfriends.”

      The mission of LUNAFESTTM is to empower women, by supporting women filmmakers; to give women a voice, by showcasing women’s issues, stories and stand-out moments; to support women’s health, by generating awareness and donating a portion of the proceeds to The Breast Cancer Fund; and to give local organizations, non-profits and college groups an empowering voice and creative way to help fundraise for their organizations.

PN, PGN, WPN, PR

LUnaFest05.kes.doc