20th World of Women Film Festival 2014

Overview

This March Sydney will play host to the World of Women Film Festival (WOW), a celebration of short film achievements by local and international women filmmakers across genres spanning animation, drama, experimental and documentary. Presented by Women In Film and Television (WIFT) and patronised by Australian actor Rachel Griffiths, the festival will include film screenings, writers' forums and talks with filmmakers.

Fans of Aussie cinema might want to catch shorts featuring local talent like Claudia Karvan (Scratch), up-and-comer Elizabeth Debicki (Godel, Incomplete) and Susan Prior (My Mother Her Daughter). Some of the international offerings sound intriguing too, like Jackie Weissman's Rock N Roll Mamas, screening at the Vanguard — a feature-length documentary about three female indie rockers striving to combine motherhood with their musical passions.

For those more interested in what goes on behind the camera, check out 'In Conversation' events between filmmakers and festival co-curator Margaret Pomeranz. Aspiring writers should head to the forum organised by WOW and the Australian Writer's Guild (AWG) at the Powerhouse. You'll get inside tips from award-winning local screenwriters Jacquelin Perske (Love My Way, Little Fish) and Louise Fox  (Dead Europe, Broadchurch). Photography-lovers should see Still Women at The Black Eye Gallery — a collection of stills from classic Australian cinema. In other words, there's a lot going on.

The festival officially launches at Custom's House Library on March 4 with an opening night and afterparty at Dendy Opera Quays. Tickets are now on sale, with prices ranging from $10-35 with some free events.