Cheryl Crooks: Cascadia Int'l Women's Film Festival
Opening Welcome:
After the music and a heartfelt invocation by Paula McCandlis, President Doug Cole got our attention with an announcement concerning the meeting on April Fools’ Day. He promises a fine dining experience with real china dinnerware and actual silverware. This will be at Syre Hall. It will fete past presidents, so you all show up. Guests and spouses (spice?) are invited. But please let the club know, so we can accommodate all who attend. I am assured this is no joke.
Shauna Naf introduced Kevin Baier, the director of the Visual Communications Program for WCC. He discussed the program and opportunities for us to engage with students placed in intern programs or projects in which the students can gain practical experience in the “real world”. This could be projects such as public service campaigns, posters, video production etc. So, if anyone has an opening for such a person, let him or Shauna (a graduate of this program) know.
Prexy Doug introduced Sarah Leslie, a member of Squalicum High School Interact club. She talked for a few minutes about Interact and what they do. She first joined for opportunities for community service. During Covid the Interactors would engage with elementary students from Northern Heights school to do small art projects, for example. Interact now is a partner with the city’s Park Department. They also this past December, wrote cards to residents of Alderwood Park Nursing Home, and hand delivered them. They plan to be a part of our meal packing project on 4 May.
Guests:
John Moffat introduced speaker Cheryl Crooks with Cascadia International Women's Film Festival
Mike Mallory brought his wife Kim
Shauna Naf introduced Kevin Baier, Visual Communications Advisory Committee Program Director for WCC
John Harris introduced Brother-In-Law, Steve Knight
President Doug introduced Sara Leslie with Squalicum Interact Club
Members on Zoom: Monty McAllister, Dick Tucker, Sandy McIntire, Mike Bradburn and Felicity Dye
Club Events and Committee Announcements
Meal Packing
Roland Trenouth asked for volunteers for the meal packing day, May 4, at Assumption School gym. Last year, we packed 37,000 meals with 106 volunteers. Had Rotaract members and other clubs’ volunteers as well. - May 4, 2024 CLICK HERE TO REGISTER & DONATE
District Conference - May 4, 2024
The format for the Conference is family inclusive and the same day as our Meal Packing Event. President Doug is looking for members to register to go down with him later in the day, after the Meal Packing Event. Other options to participate include Friday, May 3rd for Bowling and a meet and greet and Sunday May 5th for a service project at Camp Korey.
Prexy Doug put in a plug for the Memorial Day Parade, encouraging all members to get out there and march. We have a Rotary float, which we escort over the mile-long parade. If you start conditioning now, you will be in shape to even run laps around the float as it careens down the route. That is Saturday May 25.
Happy Bucks
Ward Naf had a few happy bucks for a “business trip” to Okinawa, Japan. He got back last night and was the A.V. person for today’s meeting. He showed off the sanshin, the traditional musical instrument of Okinawa. It was the predecessor of the shamisen of Japan. The instrument was presented to Kathy Hiyane-Brown and him while on a mission to Okinawa. They met with a bunch of folks, including the governor.
Our newest member, Jim Lemerond, was introduced by Rick Kaiser to be inducted into the club. Rick’s introduction recited the path that brought Jim from Wisconsin to his current position as the president of Bellingham Technical College. Jim is a past Rotarian. Past President Brad Burdick gave the charge of membership to Jim.
Weekly Payment Reminder
VENMO:
@RCOB- Bellingham.
Give Sandee a call if you need help. 360-734-5532.
CASH / CHECK:
Yes, we still take these and saving on fees is appreciated.
Cheryl Crooks: Cascadia Int'l Women's Film Festival
John Moffat then introduced Cheryl Crooks, the speaker of the day. Cheryl is a professional photographer and writer. She has a long CV which this reporter was not fast enough to document. Her presentation started off with a video slightly less than two minutes long which she called a destination trailer, to be shown to people not familiar with Bellingham and the Cascadian International Women’s Film Festival. Cheryl is the executive director of the festival.
The festival plays four days in April, 25th through the 28th. Beginning in 2015 a group got together and gradually honed plans for a film festival a films directed by women. They used the Toronto festival as a model, trying not to make the same mistakes. They did a couple trial runs at the Pickford Film Center to gauge interest. The interest seemed to be there, so they charged ahead.
In 2020, three weeks before the scheduled opening of the festival, the country was shut down with Covid. They made a quick detour, inventing how to put a festival on line. To date they have shown the films of more than 220 women directors from 45 countries.
The mission is to present a yearly festival, to give educational opportunities for audiences, as well as promoting Bellingham and the Whatcom County area not only for tourism but a destination location for filming. The official announcement of films for this year will be made March 21st. In a short video, Tempe Hale discussed the festival experience and the synergy among the participants. By the time of the screenings the film makers were rooting for each other’s films.
Once her film is accepted for presentation, the film maker is part of the Cascadian family. This family is growing. Film Fatales recognizes this festival as important to the industry. Because the festival has no awards, it is not a competition but a celebration of films by women directors. The directors can go to each other’s showings. It appears that there will be about 30 films in the festival.
This festival allows people to make connections in the industry that they perhaps normally wouldn’t make. Ms. Crooks stated that she received a letter from a previous participant who said she will never forget the experience. What she didn’t realize until she was on the panel is that everybody’s experiences are the same: they all have PTSD from making a movie.
Part of the festival is script studio. Selected scripts are read by an ensemble of actors in front of a panel, which gives feedback to the writer. Only the panel is allowed to comment. It is a free event and very popular. It is considered one of the festival’s educational programs.
The festival wants to establish itself as a destination festival, bringing dollars to the region. Guests spend $400 plus each, bringing in more than $130,000 in 2023. This Friday an event at WWU will celebrate Catherine Stimpson. A world premiere of a documentary about Ms. Stimpson will be shown. Tickets are free, available up at the WWU Box Office. An art exhibit will be shown at Dakota Art starting on 5 April through May.
Why a women’s film festival? Women are underrepresented in the film industry – especially behind the camera. In 2023 women represented 16% of the directors. A lot more needs to be done to promote women in the film industry.
Closing:
After a few questions and a round of applause, Doug thanked Cheryl and clulb participants, smacked the bell with just the right amount of force and sent us on our way.
Guess Who?
Welcome back after 2 Months on Kona!!
Sarah Leslie - Squalicum Interact Club
Kevin Baier, WCC
Music by John Harris & George Halsell
Moving Invocation by Paula McCandlis
Larry Halgren - Minister of Fun
Ward Naf showing the Sanshin presented to WCC during a recent trip to Japan.
RCOB apparel, including polo shirts, dress shirts, vests and hats is now available. These are items that every Club member simply must have in his/her wardrobe! Besides looking great, Club members will be contributing to branding for the RCOB as well as supporting our Club's Foundation, which will receive part of the proceeds.
Click on the button below for the the clothing catalogue, with the Order Form on the last page. Fill out the order form, turn it into Vinson Latimore at a meeting or email a scanned copy to embroidery@choicesscrubs.com.
