HER Arts

Female filmmakers, in a variety of roles in the industry, are inspiring other women to excel in a field that has been largely dominated by men.

The good news for local filmmakers is that it’s not just famous actors like Tina Fey and comic book characters like “Captain Marvel” that are leading the movement.

An innovative nonprofit organization called Women in Film Arkansas is the newest chapter of a global organization whose mission is to educate, empower, and inspire women to pursue careers in all areas of cinematic professions. Through encouraging their professional development and providing access to networking and educating the public about women’s creative and skilled achievements, WIFA is a tool for women to turn their dreams of success in the competitive industry of film from a dream into a reality.

According to the WIFA website, of the 2017 Top-Grossing 100 Films, women made up only 16 percent of the total population within the film industry, excluding acting.

Angela VanZandt, the president and founder of the nearly two-year-old chapter, is no stranger to the film industry. Having over 20 years experience as a screenwriter, producer, and movie distributor, she has had her share of ups and downs and offers real-world mentoring advice for women trying to make it in “The Biz.”

She first joined one of the Women in Film largest chapters in Atlanta several years ago to help sharpen her screenwriting skills and just to be around like-minded individuals who shared the same goals. When she moved to Arkansas, she noticed there was a need to grow the film business so it just made sense to create an organization that promoted women filmmakers while focusing on mentoring and networking.

“I think it’s important to have a group like WIFA (where) we can all get together, have fun and work on the same things, and share the same goals and initiatives. When we are together you can enjoy your creative side that you might not be able to in your day-to-day life,” VanZandt said.

With over 10,000 participants globally, VanZandt says WIFA has got their members covered if they move to an unfamiliar place or need help getting a foot in a door. Eventually, she said, the Los Angeles chapter will finish organizing the main database that contains all the resumes for various positions readily available for Hollywood producers.

“As president of Women in Film Arkansas, the best thing to me is that somebody on the team has to move to LA,” she said.

VanZandt visited Hot Springs for the Hot Springs International Women’s Film Festival to urge others interested in the WIFA organization to join.

In its second year, “The festival celebrates women filmmakers and artists by providing a

historic theater venue and networking forum. The HSWFF believes it is important to hear and see the educated, entertaining and diverse stories of women from around the world and provides a platform for networking and sharing visions,” according to the festival’s website, https://hotspringswomensfilmfestival.com/.

“I’m really excited about anything that promotes women who are trying to do this giant quest of making a film,” VanZandt said.

HSWFF featured projects that have at least one woman in one of the key production positions such as producer, director, writer, cinematographer, editor or lead actress. Projects that are produced and/or directed by men are accepted as long as there is a female protagonist and/or the story is based around women.

The WIFA mission claims it is an entity of a global networking organization comprised of a consortium of loyal and ethical and edifying women and men of integrity dedicated to advancing professional development, gender parity, and achievement for women working in all areas of film, video, and other screen-based media while mentoring members and advocating female-driven content portraying women on screen in a positive light. Men are more than welcome to join, as well, as long as they are supportive of this achievement.

VanZandt has several goals she hopes to accomplish within the near future for this new chapter but said it’s already off to a wonderful start with great opportunities on the horizon. Soon, the group will be having monthly mixers in Bentonville and setting up a satellite group, screenwriter and actor workshops to share ideas and make

plans for what lies ahead. The organization will eventually reach out to high schools and college campuses for recruitment of younger members. Meetings of producers, directors and makeup artist also have scheduled get-togethers, as well.

Ultimately, she said her goal is to watch firsthand training and mentoring for different phases and aspects of film making pay off, noting she can’t wait to see real women “get out and make the money,” by writing, casting, shooting and producing their own films.

VanZandt said “Arkansas has some of the most beautiful locations for TV and movie sets” and she doesn’t see why the Natural State can’t compete with Shreveport or Atlanta for the big bucks of Hollywood.

“We are just waiting, polishing diamonds in the rough until they shine.”