An interview with Barbara Bridges, founder of Denver’s Women+Film Festival
Brenda Nesbitt
Not unlike “the inciting incident’ familiar to scriptwriters, Barbara Bridges’ interest in the role of women in film stems from a single moment: “I hadn’t really thought about movies at all until I had breakfast with Donna Dewey, an Oscar winner, and she asked if I wanted to work on a film with her. I said yes.”
Barbara joined the board of the Denver Film Society and partners with them to create the Women+Film Festival. It started 13 years ago with a panel of three women filmmakers at that year’s Denver Film Festival. The program continued from there with more panels, movie screenings throughout the year and the week-long Women+Film Festival. This year, the 9th annual Women+Film Festival opens on Tuesday, April 9th.
She found herself seeking ways to increase the impact of women by way of film, screening films that are about and by women, and for everyone. “When looking at the top grossing films, the research shows us numbers about women behind the camera and on the screen that are alarmingly low. As we continue to shed light on these issues and encourage the studios to hire more women, there is hope that these numbers will increase.”
What can we expect from the 2019 Women+Film Festival?
“A great kickoff at 7 pm on Thursday, March 7th, the eve of International Women’s Day. We’ll be screening Be Natural: The Untold Story of Alice Guy-Blaché, who, in 1896, at age 23, became the world’s first female filmmaker.“ Directed by Pamela Green, it’s produced by Joan Simon and narrated by Jodie Foster.
“As a Co-Exec Producer of the film, I assure you the history of women in film is important to tell, since so many have been written out of that story.” Alice eventually founded a film studio, Solax, in the U.S. and made over a thousand films.
The Kickoff!
“On March 7th, we will have a Q & A with the director and producer, followed by a reception in Henderson’s Lounge. The audience gets a handout listing films scheduled for the Festival; single tickets and festival passes go on sale that night.”
Purchase tickets for the Denver premiere on March 7th @ the Sie Film Center, 2510 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO.
April 9th — 14th: 2019 Women+Film Festival
Until the kickoff, the opening night film will remain a mystery. Best guess? It just might follow the strategy of previous years with a biopic. “Last year it was RBG; in previous years we’ve seen Ethel (Kennedy) and Dolores (Huerta), who founded the first farm workers’ union with Cesar Chavez.” Barbara delights in fun facts, pointing out that both Ethel and Dolores had 11 children. Ethel’s 11th, Rory, became a filmmaker who went on to make Ethel, about her mother.
Though Barbara emphasizes that the Women+Film Festival has always been home to memorable films, “…it just continues to gather energy with visits from directors, actors and receptions for female filmmakers.” Particularly fond of culinary events, Barbara says, “We like to have food, at least during the festival, because people will gather and not just head out the door. It’s how we create community! This year look around for candy, buttons…and a marketplace. Imagine, a lobby filled with booths where Coloradans can sell their wares.”
“We’re also adding a brunch on April 12th, where we will honor Abigail Disney (Walt’s great niece) for her work as a filmmaker and for her support of other women filmmakers. That evening, partnering with DU’s Korbel School of International Studies, Abigail will host a screening of one of her films.”
“We welcome you to the kickoff event on March 7th, as well as every day of the 9th annual Women+Film Festival, opening April 9th. Remember tickets for the week-long festival will be available as of March 7th, at denverfilm.org, where you can also sign up to receive the Women+Film Newsletter.
Free parking is available in the garage behind the Sie FilmCenter, 2510 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80206.
