Soroptimist

Women's Voices Now, founded in 2010 and based in Rolling Hills Estates, is a nonprofit that “uses film to drive social change that advances girls and women's rights globally,” according to Heidi Basch-Harod, executive director of Women's Voices Now.

“It's such a pleasure to be collaborating with a group of women who are motivated to make the world a better place, because that's what Women's Voices Now is all about,” said Basch-Harod. “We've had such a wonderful experience getting to know (these filmmakers) and in creating this collaborative partnership.”

The first selection of films are from Girl's Voices Now, a “youth development program” within Women's Voices Now, which focuses on teens entering ninth to 12th grade.

“A lot of (these girls) come from underprivileged backgrounds and a lot of them are dealing with social media and body image,” Jurek said. “And they're also realizing some of the obstacles to career opportunities. So their short films address a lot of those issues.”

Basch-Harod said the second selection of films focuses on the strength and resilience of women.

“We'll have a woman trying to get out of her abusive marriage,” said Basch-Harod about the topic of one of the films. “There's a really strong film on the strength of mothers and one on trafficking of women. It's such a huge issue that actually affects the greater Los Angeles area tremendously, sadly.”

The Soroptimists first teamed with Lunafest, which was founded by the makers of the LUNA nutritional bar, around 2006. Lunafest, which began in 2001, was billed as the first traveling film festival featuring female filmmakers and focused on women's issues. But according to its website, even though Lunafest had “elevated the work of more than 180 filmmakers at 3,000 screenings” and raised $8 million for nonprofits in United States and Canada, it would “pause” for the last part of 2023 and the entirety of 2024.

“During this time, the LUNA brand will look to the future and reflect on how it might best support advocating for women going forward,” the website said.

The film festival will take place from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center at 1935 Manhattan Beach Blvd.

Tickets cost $30 for adults and $10 for students, which includes light bites and beverages.

“It will provide a chance to mingle with our community here in South Bay and to acquaint them with our mission and our core values,” said Jurek.

For more information, visit simanhattanbeach.org.