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Visionary Voices

Arts & Culture Podcasts

Conversations with Women and Non-Binary Filmmakers from around the world.

Location:

United States

Description:

Conversations with Women and Non-Binary Filmmakers from around the world.

Language:

English


Episodes

'Harvesting Our Tea' with Director Sheida Kiran

3/23/2023
Diana Means interviews British-Turkish-Iranian documentary filmmaker and musician Sheida Kiran to talk about her documentary film 'Harvesting Our Tea' screening in the online Women Voices Now documentary film festival March 1st - March 31st. ABOUT SHEIDA KIRAN Sheida is a British-Turkish-Iranian documentary filmmaker and musician based in London. She conducted research on women and migration during her BSc Social Sciences studies at UCL. This led to her MA in Documentary Film at LCC and position as a production coordinator at award-winning charity Medical Aid Films, where she supports the production of health films for vulnerable women and children. Driven by her passion for ethnographic storytelling, her most recent work focuses on documenting women in agriculture and their rights to land ownership. ABOUT HARVESTING OUR TEA For centuries, women have picked tea on the steep slopes of Turkey's Black Sea region. It is grueling work, and much of what they earn has traditionally been handed to their husbands. ‘Harvesting Our Tea’ follows a new generation of women who are turning their backs on tea picking and the overall submissive culture. As these young women hope for change the older women fear for their way of life. ABOUT THE WOMEN’S VOICES NOW (WVN) FILM FESTIVAL AND HOW TO ATTEND The Women’s Voices Now Film Festival is an international women’s rights documentary film festival supporting emerging women filmmakers. Since 2011, we have received 1070+ film submissions from 85+ countries. See link below to purchase tickets through Eventbright. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-2023-womens-voices-now-film-festival-holding-ground-under-siege-tickets-529692373147 Discounted tickets can be requested by emailing: events@womensvoicesnow.org. Alliance of Women Filmmakers is proud to partner with Women Voices Now to present this podcast. Editing by Otaku Media

Duration:00:30:31

Visionary Voices Film Festival Conversation with Executive Director Heidi Bash-Harod

3/7/2023
Diana Means interviews Executive Director of Women Voices Now Heidi Basch-Harod about their documentary film festival that takes place online March 1st - March 31st. ABOUT THE WOMEN’S VOICES NOW (WVN) FILM FESTIVAL The Women’s Voices Now Film Festival is an international women’s rights documentary film festival supporting emerging women filmmakers. Since 2011, we have received 1070+ film submissions from 85+ countries and awarded $118k in cash prizes to filmmakers. THIS YEAR’S THEME: Holding Ground Under Siege Around the world we see backlash against the progress made in the global women's rights movement. Women face new challenges precisely because of the advances made toward realizing their full human rights. Instead of pushing forward, is now a time to maintain our gains? Looking through the lenses of our filmmakers: Where should we focus our efforts in the coming years? HOW TO ATTEND Anyone with access to the internet can purchase a ticket for the Festival on Eventbrite for $36 here. Users will gain access to the competing films once they’ve purchased a ticket to the festival via Eventbrite. No one is turned away for lack of funds. Discounted tickets can be requested by emailing: events@womensvoicesnow.org https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-2023-womens-voices-now-film-festival-holding-ground-under-siege-tickets-529692373147 Alliance of Women Filmmakers is proud to partner with Women Voices Now to present this podcast. Editing by Otaku Media

Duration:00:20:25

"Framing Agnes" with Co-Producer Brooke Sebold

2/14/2023
Diana Means interviews co-producer Brooke Sebold about the Sundance 2022 audience award winner film "Framing Agnes" as well as Grandma Bruce which Sebold wrote edited and directed. About "Framing Agnes": Agnes is a transgender woman who participated in Harold Garfinkel’s gender health research at UCLA in the 1960s. Director Chase Joynt blends fiction and nonfiction to widen the frame through which trans history is viewed with an impressive lineup of trans stars who render, impressive reenactments. This film is Distributed in Canada by Mongrel Media http://www.mongrelmedia.com http://www.instagram.com/MongrelMedia http://www.facebook.com/MongrelMedia http://www.twitter.com/MongrelMedia About "Grandma Bruce": is a magical short comedy about a queerdo (they/them) whose old car comes to life with the spirit of their judgmental Jewish grandmother, a backseat driver from the ever after. About the podcast: Visionary Voices podcast is produced and hosted by Diana Means founder of Alliance of Women Filmmakers, a non-profit dedicated to the advancement and equality of women in entertainment. For more filmmaker conversations with Diana Means please visit www.visionaryvoicespodcast.com Alliance of Women Filmmakers is proud to partner with Women Voices Now to present this podcast. Their annual film festival promotes emerging women filmmakers using social-change films to advocate for women’s and girls’ rights around the world.For more information about WVN including their film selection process please visit The Women's Voices Now Online Film Festival Editing by Otaku Media

Duration:00:27:27

The Seventh Circle with Director Alexandra Velasco

11/14/2022
Diana Means interviews Alexandra Velasco about her art-horror film "The Seventh Circle". About the film The Seventh Circle features a frustrated man's descent into a horrific spiral of madness when he is confronted over and over again with his violent past. About the podcast Visionary Voices podcast is produced and hosted by Diana Means founder of Alliance of Women Filmmakers, a non-profit dedicated to the advancement and equality of women in entertainment. For more filmmaker conversations with Diana Means please visit www.visionary voicespodcast.com Alliance of Women Filmmakers is proud to partner with Women Voices Now to present this podcast. Their annual film festival promotes emerging women filmmakers using social-change films to advocate for women’s and girls’ rights around the world. For more information about WVN including their film selection process please visit The Women's Voices Now Online Film Festival Editing by Otaku Media

Duration:00:26:00

"Basta" with Co-Director Lesley Elizondo

11/3/2022
Diana Means interviews Mexican American director of photography and cinematography Lesley Elizondo about her film "Basta" a documentary film based in Los Angeles California that exposes the normalization of sexual abuse in the janitorial industry. About the film Basta follows Veronica a 24 year old immigrant from El Salvador who was sexually assaulted while working as a night janitor in Los Angeles. Thanks to her resilience and strength, she did not stay silent and created a grassroots movement to change the janitorial industry and fight its normalization of sexual abuse in the workplace. About the Filmmakers Cecilia Albertini and Lesley Elizondo Cecilia Albertini is an Italian born-American based director and writer whose work focuses on socially relevant female-centric stories. Cecilia’s documentary “Francis Ford Coppola’s Live Cinema”, which followed the legendary director during the making of his latest Live Cinema workshop, was nominated for a American Association of Cinematographer’s Heritage Award. The episode that Cecilia directed for the show “Sanity” was nominated for a student Emmy Award in 2017. Lesley Elizondo is a Mexican American director of photography and cinematography educator born and raised in Los Angeles. In 2019, Lesley’s DP work with the activist group “Ya Basta” was featured in a week-long video installation on Sacramento and Washington DC’s capitol buildings. Her cinematography has also been featured in the Senorita Cinema Film Festival in Houston, the Pride Arts Center Film Festival in Chicago, the Stella Adler Academy Hollywood Short and Sweet Film Festival in LA, and the St. Louis Filmmakers Showcase in St. Louis. On Youtube, “Pa Delante” has over 96 thousand views and “MacBeth” has over 3.6 thousand views. About the podcast Visionary Voices podcast is produced and hosted by Diana Means founder of Alliance of Women Filmmakers, a non-profit dedicated to the advancement and equality of women in entertainment. For more filmmaker conversations with Diana Means please visit www.visionaryvoicespodcast.com Alliance of Women Filmmakers is proud to partner with Women Voices Now to present this podcast. Their annual film festival promotes emerging women filmmakers using social-change films to advocate for women’s and girls’ rights around the world. For more information about WVN including their film selection process please visit The Women's Voices Now Online Film Festival Editing by Otaku Media

Duration:00:23:55

"Working Today Only For Tomorrow" with Director Vjosa Cerkinih

10/14/2022
Diana Means interviews Lebanon director Vjosa Cerkinih about her film "Working Today Only For Tomorrow" a documentary film that exposes the inability of middle-aged women to find work in Kosovo. About the film: "Working today, only for tomorrow" is a short documentary that shows the inability of middle-aged women to find work in Kosovo. This documentary shares the stories of middle-aged women who have been discriminated against in the labor market and are now forced to take on the risk of working in the black labor market as cleaners in private homes. About the Director: Vjosa Çerkini has finished her Bachelor's and Master's studies in Journalism and Public Relations at the University of Prishtina. Vjosa is a journalist by profession. She started her career in Germany in 2015, she became part of the German television “Bayerischer Rundfunk” in Munich. Since 2019 she is working as a journalist for the German television “Deutsche Welle” and as a correspondent for “Perspektiva.plus” in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In 2020 she started working as a freelance author for the German Press Agency in Hamburg. In 2020 she was part of the Federal Press Office within the German government in Berlin. She has also been published in other German media such as ZeitJung.de, Pur Magazine, etc. She is the winner of many journalistic scholarships in the Balkans for investigative research. About the podcast: Visionary Voices podcast is produced and hosted by Diana Means founder of Alliance of Women Filmmakers, a non-profit dedicated to the advancement and equality of women in entertainment. For more filmmaker conversations with Diana Means please visit www.visionaryvoicespodcast.com Alliance of Women Filmmakers is proud to partner with Women Voices Now to present this podcast. Their annual film festival promotes emerging women filmmakers using social-change films to advocate for women’s and girls’ rights around the world. For more information about WVN including their film selection process please visit The Women's Voices Now Online Film Festival Editing by Otaku Media

Duration:00:22:24

"The Perfect Picture" with Lebanese Director Hala El Kouch

9/23/2022
Diana Means interviews Lebanon Director Hala El Kouch about her film "The Perfect Picture" a documentary film selected for the Women Voices Now film festival. About the film In order to try and fix a traumatic event that has been disclosed for a year and a half, Hala decides to reside away from her parents for an entire week in a singular closed space. After preparing it, she invites them. She insists on revisiting and disclosing the incident by overcoming her fear of communication with her parents, but things absolutely do not go as planned. About the Director Hala El Kouch is a director, editor, photographer, voice-over artist, and writer. She grew up in Nigeria, then moved to Lebanon for her studies in 2008. With a BA in audiovisual and an MA in film directing from the Lebanese University Of Fine Arts, she graduated with distinction. She worked as a cinema teacher in Action For Hope, as a creative director at The Actors Workshop Beirut, and as a freelancer. She has directed more than 6 short films, one of which was "Fishing Out of the Sea" which won several first-place awards in national and international festivals. About the Podcast Visionary Voices podcast is produced and hosted by Diana Means founder of Alliance of Women Filmmakers, a non-profit dedicated to the advancement and equality of women in entertainment. For more filmmaker conversations with Diana Means please visit www.visionaryvoicespodcast.com Alliance of Women Filmmakers is proud to partner with Women Voices Now to present this podcast. Their annual film festival promotes emerging women filmmakers using social-change films to advocate for women’s and girls’ rights around the world. For more information about WVN including their film selection process please visit The Women's Voices Now Online Film Festival Editing by Otaku Media

Duration:00:23:22

"MAVKA" Conversation with Ukrainian Filmmaker Alona Shylova

9/15/2022
Diana Means interviews Ukraine, Kyiv screenwriter and Director Alona Shylova about her latest film "MAVKA" a short narrative film selected for the Women Voices Now film festival about two teenage girls speaking about their everyday life as young women and the problems of adulthood. Swimming in the lake promises nothing special until one of the girls meets Mavka, a mysterious creature from Ukrainian legends. About the Podcast Visionary Voices podcast is produced and hosted by Diana Means, founder of Alliance of Women Filmmakers, a non-profit dedicated to the advancement and equality of women in entertainment. For more filmmaker conversations with Diana Means please visit www.visionaryvoicespodcast.com Alliance of Women Filmmakers is proud to partner with Women Voices Now to present this podcast. Women’s Voices Now is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that uses film to drive positive social change that advances women's and girls' rights globally. Their annual film festival promotes emerging women filmmakers using social-change films to advocate for women’s and girls’ rights around the world. Since 2011, our independent film festival has received 965+ impactful social-change films from more than 85+ countries, brought them to millions of viewers in 178 countries around the world, and awarded $118k in cash prizes. For more information about WVN including their film selection process please visit The Women's Voices Now Online Film Festival Editing by Otaku Media

Duration:00:23:24

Women Voices Now Executive Director Heidi Basch-Harod

9/8/2022
Diana Means interviews Executive Director of Women Voices Now Heidi Basch-Harod about the history and programs of Women Voices Now. About Women Voices Now Women’s Voices Now is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that uses film to drive positive social change that advances women's and girls' rights globally. Their annual film festival promotes emerging women filmmakers using social-change films to advocate for women’s and girls’ rights around the world. About Heidi Basch-Harod As Executive Director, Heidi brings her experience in international human rights advocacy from her work with Tibetan Nuns Project, the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission of the U.S. Congress, and the Palestine-Israel Journal. She is a published author whose works can be found in several publications, including: Open Democracy, Palestine-Israel Journal, Tel Aviv Notes, Working Mother, The WVoice, and the edited volume, Kurdish Awakening: Nationbuilding in a Fragmented Homeland. She wrote the monograph, The Kurdish Women of Turkey: Building a Nation, Struggling for Gender Parity, (Moshe Dayan Center for Middle Eastern and African Studies). Heidi is a producer of the award-winning documentary HonorDiaries, and also of the acclaimed short film In Search of America, Inshallah. In 2021 Heidi received a Daytime Emmy for her role as Producer of the “Girls Voices Now” series, in collaboration with Here Media. Organizations and links discussed in the podcast https://tnp.orghttps://www.pij.orghttps://medium.com/the-wvoice/the-most-invaluable-lives-of-them-all-c639255284fhttps://filmfreeway.com/WomensVoicesNowAlliance of Women Filmmakers is proud to partner with Women Voices Now to present this podcast. Editing by Otaku Media

Duration:00:21:37

"Indebted to All Women" Conversation with Documentarian and Filmmaker Maria Lobo

9/1/2022
Diana Means interviews documentarian and director Maria Lobo about her latest film "Indebted To All Women" a documentary created for political and social advocacy that gives voice to El Salvadorian women suffering and struggling to change one of the most restrictive laws in the world for sexual and reproductive rights. In El Salvador abortion is punishable by 20-40 years in prison regardless of circumstance. About Maria Lobo Maria Lobo has worked in media for almost two decades and has been part of the technical and directing team in documentary films such as "Yindabad" (2007) a documentary awarded at three international film festivals that narrates the struggle of the Adivasi tribes against the construction of a dam in India, and “Within the Circle”(2012), a story about mental health told by the protagonists of an audiovisual project of social inclusion. As a freelancer Lobo has also worked for TV and independent production companies. Organizations and links discussed in the podcast AGARESOGalician Association of Communication for Social Changehttps://www.youtube.com/user/agareso GingkoYindabadSweet PrecautionWithin the circleWe don't want to be invisibleAbout the podcast Visionary Voices podcast is produced and hosted by Diana Means founder of Alliance of Women Filmmakers, a non-profit dedicated to the advancement and equality of women in entertainment. For more filmmaker conversations with Diana Means please visit www.visionaryvoicespodcast.com Alliance of Women Filmmakers is proud to partner with Women Voices Now to present this podcast. Women’s Voices Now is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that uses film to drive positive social change that advances women's and girls' rights globally. Their annual film festival promotes emerging women filmmakers using social-change films to advocate for women’s and girls’ rights around the world. Since 2011, our independent film festival has received 965+ impactful social-change films from more than 85+ countries, brought them to millions of viewers in 178 countries around the world, and awarded $118k in cash prizes. For more information about WVN including their film selection process please visit https://filmfreeway.com/WomensVoicesNow Editing by Otaku Media

Duration:00:32:54

"The Least We Can Do" Filmmaker Conversation with Director Moira Simpson

4/5/2022
"The Least We Can Do" chronicles the journey of a small group of women in British Columbia, Canada, who are relieved when the Canadian Government votes to bring Yazidi women and girls to Canada as refugees and provide them with comprehensive trauma care for their ‘unimaginable suffering’. The women are horrified to later discover that the government has not followed through on all its promises. The Yazidi were brought to Canada and then neglected. Trauma services are inadequate, unplanned, and failing. As the group urges the government to keep its promise, they encounter unexpected support along the way. "The Least We Can Do" screens at The Los Angeles Women's International Film Festival Sunday, March 27 at 11:30 am/PST For tickets visit: https://www.stellartickets.com/o/alliance-of-women-filmmakers/events/the-least-we-can-do/occurrences/4ed1b7bd-e5a5-4e80-8d95-39a5de5afd46 For more information about the Los Angeles Women's International Film Festival and complete feature line up visit http://www.lawomensfest.com For more information on Moira Simpson and WRAP: https://womenrefugeesadvocacyproject.ca/ Editing by Otaku Media

Duration:00:19:47

"Lessons" Film Conversation with Writer and Producer Summer Brown

3/25/2022
In "Lessons" audiences see a heart-wrenching snapshot of Summer's lived experience of domestic abuse through the eyes of children. "Lessons" screens in the virtual presentation of The Los Angeles Women's International Film Festival Saturday, March 26 at 5:00 pm/PST For tickets visit: https://www.stellartickets.com/o/alliance-of-women-filmmakers/events/lessons--2/occurrences/aeb16f57-3e2b-4c81-bfea-b56f5e216dbf For more information about the Los Angeles Women's International Film Festival and complete feature line up visit http://www.lawomensfest.com Editing by Otaku Media

Duration:00:11:15

"Finding Courage" Film Conversation with Director Kay Rubacek

3/25/2022
In "Finding Courage," a former journalist for the Chinese Communist Party (YIFEI WANG), living in exile in San Francisco, struggles to settle into life in America while working to heal her family’s wounds from their tragic past. She is seeking justice for the murder of her sister at the hands of the Chinese authorities. "Finding Courage" screens in the virtual presentation of The Los Angeles Women's International Film Festival Sunday, March 27 at 1:00 pm/PST To tickets visit: https://www.stellartickets.com/o/alliance-of-women-filmmakers/events/finding-courage/occurrences/f07a3890-89b9-46d3-9495-3622974aaaac For more information about the Los Angeles Women's International Film Festival and complete feature line up visit http://www.lawomensfest.com Editing by Otaku Media

Duration:00:30:12

"Lost Vegas Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow In Our Gender Diverse Community" Conversation with Director Bella Keana Castellarin and Producer Krista Whitley

3/24/2022
In " Lost Vegas Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow In Our Gender Diverse Community" director Bella Castellarin leads an all LGBTQI+ team, to document the history of Las Vegas' diverse community and give voice to those who are rarely heard. This feature documentary screens Saturday, March 27 at 5:00 pm/PST For tickets visit: https://www.stellartickets.com/o/alliance-of-women-filmmakers/events/lost-vegas-yesterday-today-and-tomorrow-in-our-gender-diverse-community/occurrences/6bd4cf9a-5b95-4bac-acd1-e7b65443853d For more information about the Los Angeles Women's International Film Festival and complete feature line up visit http://www.lawomensfest.com Editing by Otaku Media

Duration:00:12:38

"The Burden" Film Conversation with Director Brianna Barrett

3/24/2022
In "The Burden" 18-year-old Bianca must take care of her two younger siblings when their parents are unexpectedly deported back to Columbia. "The Burden" screens Saturday March 26 at 3:00 pm/PST For tickets visit: https://www.stellartickets.com/o/alliance-of-women-filmmakers/events/the-burden--2/occurrences/474cd71c-60c2-46b1-840d-56790c664e63 For more information about the Los Angeles Women's International Film Festival and complete feature line up visit http://www.lawomensfest.com Editing by Otaku Media

Duration:00:13:20

"Tell Me About Orange" Film Conversation with Director Robin Noonan-Price

3/23/2022
In "Tell Me About Orange," when Elliot’s best girlfriend expresses her romantic feelings for him, Elliot a blind teenage boy struggles to express his, but soon realizes that sometimes love really is blind. "Tell Me About Orange" screens Saturday, March 26 at 4:00 pm/PST For tickets visit: https://www.stellartickets.com/o/alliance-of-women-filmmakers/events/tell-me-about-orange--2/occurrences/439d6b6e-9ff7-49d6-ba9a-7cca2815390b For more information about the Los Angeles Women's International Film Festival and complete feature line up visit http://www.lawomensfest.com Editing by Otaku Media

Duration:00:17:27

"Critical Juncture" Documentary Film Conversation with Director Alessia Barbiero

3/22/2022
In April 2021, India made headlines all around the world as the second wave of COVID brought the country to its knees. “Critical Juncture” starts at this dramatic time but focuses on a different point of view: through the eyes of Priyanka, a 30-year-old filmmaker, audiences see how women stepped up to the frontlines, to help their country in need. India is a complex country based on a patriarchal society. The key question of this documentary is: could COVID impact gender norms in India? Storyteller and digital creative producer Alessia Barbiero is based in Amsterdam, with over eight years of international experience in documentary filmmaking. and fifteen years of experience in journalism experience "Critical Juncture" screens Sunday, March 27 at 10:00 am/PST For tickets visit: https://www.stellartickets.com/o/alliance-of-women-filmmakers/events/critical-juncture/occurrences/368e7e50-7370-4635-92b0-696d0e733b29 For more information about the Los Angeles Women's International Film Festival and complete feature line up visit http://www.lawomensfest.com Editing by Otaku Media

Duration:00:17:26

"Lioness" Film Conversation with Writer and Actress Sara Oliva

3/22/2022
In "Lioness" a mother's primal instincts kick in to protect her child's innocence when both are barricaded in a motel room. "Lioness" screens Saturday, March 26 at 4:00 pm/PST For tickets visit: https://www.stellartickets.com/o/alliance-of-women-filmmakers/events/lioness--2/occurrences/ac0f4fcd-e5b9-4e73-aeac-b0b001e652f5 For more information about the Los Angeles Women's International Film Festival and complete feature line up visit http://www.lawomensfest.com Editing by Otaku Media

Duration:00:12:13

"Mr. Wong's Lullaby" Film Conversation with Director Clare Langford

3/20/2022
Clare Langford is an award-winning actress, writer, and director from Ireland. She began penning original scripts and adapting screenplays for the stage for her University Drama Society while studying Applied Languages. She later went to Drama Centre London. In Langford’s film “Mr. Wong’s Lullaby” Social worker Norah struggles to balance her demanding workload with caring for her elderly father Horace, an ex-POW who has dementia. On a particularly bad day, as Horace’s daycare center unexpectedly closes, Norah is forced to leave her father at home alone. In his delusional state, Horace mistakes his kind neighbor Mr. Wong for a Japanese camp guard. As the horrors of his past resurface to haunt his present, Norah's precariously balanced house of cards starts to collapse. "Mr. Wong's Lullaby" screens Saturday, March 26 at 6:00 pm/PST For tickets visit: https://www.stellartickets.com/o/alliance-of-women-filmmakers/events/mr-wongs-lullaby--2/occurrences/4078c23a-e4e2-42f3-bbd4-615ec5473de3 For more information about the Los Angeles Women's International Film Festival and complete feature line up visit http://www.lawomensfest.com Editing by Otaku Media

Duration:00:18:56

"Someone To Carry You" Film Conversation with Director Cyrina Fiallo

3/20/2022
Filmmaker Cyrina Fiallo is a Cuban-Italian actress and writer, born & raised in Miami, Florida. Since moving to Los Angeles, her more-than-two dozen television appearances include NBC’s Brooklyn 99 and Community, Fox’s Glee, CW’s Supernatural to name a few. In Fiallo’s film “Someone To Carry You”, Serena receives an unexpected text from her childhood BFF that causes her to reminisce about the ups and downs of adolescence and meeting her first real soulmate, Laura Lee. “Someone To Carry you” is about that special moment when you meet your first real friend. The first person who makes you feel seen and heard. The first person who shares and celebrates your creativity. The first person who nourishes your uniqueness. "Someone To Carry You" screens Saturday, March 26 at 4:00 pm/PST For tickets visit: https://www.stellartickets.com/o/alliance-of-women-filmmakers/events/someone-to-carry-you--2/occurrences/7cea35fb-07c8-4a4b-b16c-2d7322633637 For more information about the Los Angeles Women's International Film Festival and complete feature line up visit http://www.lawomensfest.com Editing by Otaku Media

Duration:00:19:27