Women International Film Festival

From Mar 16th through 18th, 2006Actress and legend, Ruby Dee will headline the First Film Festival in Florida and the Southeastern United States celebrating women filmmakers and artists. Actress and Civil Rights activist Ruby Dee will discuss the role of women in film, her commitment to civil rights, her book My One Good Nerve, and her experiences throughout her more than 50 years in the film industry. Throughout her long career, Ruby Dee has appeared in more than 20 films – many along with her husband Ossie Davis, who died in April 2005 while filming in Miami. Davis and Dee were celebrated as “national treasures” when they received the National Medal of Arts in 1995. In 2000, they were presented with the Screen Actors Guild’s highest honor, the Life Achievement Award. Young people may recognize Dee and her husband Davis from their appearances in several Spike Lee films, including Jungle Fever, Do the Right Thing, Get on the Bus and Malcolm X — in which Davis played himself, having delivered the eloquent eulogy for the slain black leader in 1965. This first-time, three-day festival will also feature films by or about women as well as workshops at several locations throughout Miami-Dade and Broward Counties. Many of the filmmakers and producers of those films will be present to discuss their films and answer questions from the audience. “The mission of WIFF is to bring together women artists from all over the world to explore, share and dialogue about issues concerning women through the arts…,” said McCormack-Lyons. “It is also important that we provide opportunities for artistic development, so we will be holding workshops with industry professionals to help emerging artists hone their crafts,” she added.