Symposium Celebrates New Wave Of Women Filmmakers

The Third Women Filmmakers Symposium will be held in New York City June 24-27 at the Lighthouse Conference Center. The Film and Video Workshop, a non-profit resource center for filmmakers, is sponsoring the symposium, which is underwritten by Kodak.""Women filmmakers have made some impressive inroads into the film and television industries,"" says Founder Kristina Nordstrom. ""We intend to expand those advances into a womenís film network. The opening of new access roads should make it easier for young women to realize their dreams on-screen.""The first Women Filmmakers Symposium took place at the International Thessaloniki Film Festival in Greece in 1979 with 40 participants. More than 70 women attended the second symposium, which was hosted by the Directors Guild in Los Angeles in 1981.""Motion pictures and television have a very powerful influence on peopleís expectations and behavior,"" says Nordstrom. ""It is important for womenís perspectives to be represented on the screen. I see the symposium as a catalyst to help spark more womenís film productions. We plan to make this an annual event.""Admission to the Third Women Filmmakers Symposium is by invitation. The focus will be on independent feature film production. Participants include directors, writers and producers from several English-speaking countries. Executives from film studios, television networks and cable television organizations will also be invited.During the symposium, women filmmakers will have an opportunity to share experiences, screen new work and discuss mutual concepts. Nordstrom says that the supportive atmosphere is designed to promote camaraderie among the participants and encourage them to follow their dreams.""More and more women are making their marks as directors, producers, writers and cinematographers,"" says Charles Wilkinson, Manager, Feature Film Segment for Kodakís Professional Motion Imaging division. ""The film industry is making strides in fostering diversity. We are proud to support this gathering of filmmakers who are adding so much to the industry.""The Lighthouse Conference Center is located at 111 East 59th Street in New York. For additional information, contact Kristina Nordstrom at 201 689 2022.