Isis International-Manila, in collaboration with W-ing, a women's organisation based in South Korea, held “WATCH: Women Advocating Through Cinema Human Rights Film Screening,” a film screening highlighting Korean and Filipino women filmmakers’ works. Held on November 29, the screening featured films that describe the shifting relations of women's lives and changing identities along a path of empowerment.

An event that showcased the works of women telling women’s stories through film, spearheaded by W-ing a women's NGO based in South Korea, and Isis International-Manila, took place in Quezon City, Philippines last November 29.

Called “WATCH: Women Advocating Through Cinema Human Rights Film Screening,” the event exhibited works directed by young women involved with W-ing and by the Philippine-based organisation Women’s Education, Development, Productivity and Research Organisation (WEDPRO). The films covered various women’s personal and political issues and demonstrated a highly personal and committed relationship with them.

Following the screening, the audience had the opportunity to engage in discussion both the NGO-based women filmmakers and the feminists, independent film directors Kyung Soon from Korea and Libay Cantor from the Philippines.

Speaking about the availability of new technologies, Cantor said, “Right now there’s no more excuse to not do films. Your home can be your theatre. You have the DVD, your players, your cameras. No need for laboratories any more. Your computer is your editing house. So for me, I would really encourage all of you to continue what you’re doing.”

These women share a common understanding of filmmaking as an opportunity for transformation. Isis Community and Independent Media Programme Coordinator Aileen Familara, in her introduction, said,
“We will be presenting these films to generate discussions about how media can be a tool for transforming the role of women in society. This event brings together two organisations that have common goals about working for women’s development and the media. In the hands of women, the film media acquires a greater potential for presenting wider truths.”

Today, women constitute a very small percentage of film and video directors.  The screening of Korean and Philippine women’s works side by side provided an avenue for expression, discussion, solidarity and empowerment, and hopes to be a small first step toward increasing recognition of women “behind the lenses.”

Source:
“The Celluloid Ceiling” by Martha Lauzen, <http://www.films42.com/feature/lauzen-2006.asp>.