LAMORINDA WEEKLY | Lunafest SMC Women's Resource Center shows short films by, for and about women | St. Mary's College | SMC Moraga


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What do you get when you combine the talents of female actors, directors, producers and artists with a fervent desire to raise funds for local non-profits and advocate for the elimination of preventable and environmental causes of breast cancer? An evening viewing of nine amazing short films and a whole lot of tasty Luna bars.

Lunafest is a traveling film festival filled with stories by women for women and about women that center around the themes of reflection, hope and humor sponsored by Luna, the makers of nutrition bars for women. Originally founded in 2000, Lunafest has featured 110 filmmakers and has raised close to $2 million. This year's festival will travel to over 150 cities - including Moraga - and screen in front of 25,000 people.

The Saint Mary's College Women's Resource Center has sponsored Lunafest screenings since 2009. This year the screening will from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 22 in Saint Mary's Hagerty Lounge in De LaSalle Hall. The format of each screening is left up to the discretion of the organization. The WRC screening will feature a generous spread of snacks in a low-key environment.

This year's Lunafest films range in form from animation to fictional drama, and cover topics including women's health, motherhood, body image, sexuality, cultural diversity and breaking barriers. "It's a platform for women's stories," explained WRC director Sharon Sobotta.

The WRC charges $5 for students and $10 for non-students. Thus far, Lunafest has raised over $656,000 for the Breast Cancer Fund and over $1 million for other women's non-profit organizations. "All of our proceeds go directly to the Breast Cancer Fund," said Sobotta.

Previous screenings have been 75 people strong, a number that is expected to keep growing. Lunafest is open to the community and members of the Lamorinda area are encouraged to support female artists and join in the fight against breast cancer. "It's a great opportunity to really experience art and to connect through film," Sobotta said. Some SMC students get extra credit for January term courses, others just come for fun. "Often students will say it's one of their favorite events of the year."

For more information about Lunafest (or to watch a trailer of this year's shorts) visit: http://www.lunafest.org/.