Staff Writer

LunaFest, the fundraising film festival dedicated to promoting awareness about women’s issues, highlighting women filmmakers and bringing women together in their communities, will be hosted virtually by the East Los Angeles Women’s Center on September 24.

This unique film festival highlights women as leaders in society, illustrated through seven short films by women filmmakers. The films range from animation to fictional drama and cover topics such as women’s health, body image, relationships, cultural diversity and breaking barriers. 

The live stream event includes live screenings of two short films: Joyride, a PBS Short Film Festival winner and LunaFest entry Ballet After Dark; a live Q&A with filmmakers and actors; an online auction and 24-hour access to the full 2020 LunaFest lineup of seven short films.

All proceeds from LunaFest LA will benefit the East Los Angeles Women’s Center’s COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund, providing transportation, groceries, shelter and many other life-saving essentials for families in need during the ongoing public health crisis. 

There will be a Q&A to follow with Ballet After Dark Director, B. Monét, winner of the Queen Collective in partnership with Queen Latifah, and Ballet After Dark Founding Director, Tyde-Courtney Edwards; and with Joyride Director, Edwin Alexis Gomez, Producer Evelyn Angelica Martinez, and actor Blanca Araceli. The Q&A will be monitored by Juan Escobedo, Co-Founder of East LA Film Festival.