FEMALE EYE FILM FESTIVAL ATTRACTS TOP-NOTCH TALENT FROM AROUND THE GLOBE

The Female Eye Film Festival (FeFF) which runs March 24th 28th, 2010 in Toronto, is pleased to announce that notable American filmmaker Catherine Hardwicke will be feted with the 2010 Female Eye Honourary Director Award. The FeFF also launches its new Female Eye An Intimate Conversation With The Best in The Biz series that will include an up close and personal interview and tribute to Festival honourees. The first Intimate Conversation will be coupled with a Filmmaker / Networking Brunch in honour of esteemed filmmaker Catherine Hardwicke, and will take place on Sunday, March 28th from 12:00PM - 2:00PM at the Novotel Toronto Centre, 45 The Esplanade (Dining Room).

Core Facts

The Female Eye Film Festival provides a showcase for women directors from all over the world. This year, we are pleased to announce that filmmaker Catherine Hardwicke is the first foreign recipient of the 2010 Female Eye Honourary Director Award.
A native of Texas, Hardwicke studied art in Mexico and received a degree in Architecture from the University of Texas at Austin. As a storyteller, Catherine Hardwicke is drawn to emotion-driven, often edgy material. Her ability to portray the subtleties of teenage life brings realism to both her independent and commercial films
Hardwickes debut as a feature film writer/director was THIRTEEN, a graphic look at the downward spiraling lives of teens as they discover drugs, sex, and petty crime. The film starred Holly Hunter and established Evan Rachel Wood and Nikki Reed as rising young stars. Hardwicke was honored with the Directors Award from the 2003 Sundance Film Festival and the film went on to win top awards at Deauville, Locarno, and Nantucket film festivals and land a SPIRIT AWARD for Reed, Golden Globe nominations for Hunter and Wood, and an Academy Award nomination for Hunter.
Hardwickes sophomore film LORDS OF DOGTOWN (starring Heath Ledger, Emile Hirsch, Victor Rasuk, and John Robinson), chronicles the story of three boys from fractured homes in rough Venice neighborhoods who revolutionized skateboarding in the 70s. THE NATIVITY STORY, filmed in Italy and Morocco, marked Hardwickes third directorial endeavor. Hardwicke is currently developing RED RIDING HOOD, a gothic retelling of the Brothers Grimm story, based on an idea by Leonardo DiCaprio.
Since 2005, The Female Eye has recognized a select group of women directors for their achievements in film by presenting them with the Female Eye Honourary Director Award. Past recipients have included Deepa Mehta (2005), Anne Marie Fleming (2006) and Kari Skogland (2008) and Patricia Rozema (2009). The Female Eye Honourary Director Award is a beautiful hand-crafted statuette designed by sculptor, Willie Anicic.
Growing exponentially in support, attendance and box office numbers, the Female Eye Film Festival (FeFF) is thrilled to celebrate its eighth year, by offering a selection of quality films from top-notch talent from around the globe, panel discussions, workshops, Script Development Program, Script Readings, award ceremonies and other galas.
The Female Eye Film Festival would like to acknowledge its sponsors: The Backroom Agency, MD Media Inc., Novotel Toronto Centre, Women In The Directors Chair, Creative Women Workshops Association, Women In Film and Television (Toronto), Ontario Arts Council, Quebecor Fund, Rainbow Cinemas Market Square, Women's Art Resource Centre, WARC gallery, Lenz Entertainment, Epitome Pictures Inc., RTR Media Inc., PCI Sony Canada, The Garo Group, blogTO and Acrolyte Inc.
Tickets for the brunch and series are $20, discounts for students and seniors. Please email RSVP@femaleeyefilmfestival.com to reserve your spot.
All film screenings will take place at the Rainbow Cinemas Market Square, 80 Front Street East. Tickets can be purchased for $10.00 at the door.
Our hotel partner, the Novotel Toronto Centre, 45 The Esplanade will host all panel discussions, workshops and award ceremonies.

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Every year, the Female Eye provides an amazing showcase of films by women directors. We have an eclectic selection of shorts, features, animation, documentaries and experimental films from Canadian and international filmmakers. We are extremely proud to include Catherine Hardwicke among our honoured guests

Festival Founder and Director, Leslie Ann Coles.

CWWA is proud to sponsor, with the assistance of the CTVglobemedia-CHUM Benefits this years' Honourary Director Award is proud to sponsor the 2010 Female Eye Film Festival Honorary Director Award being presented to the creatively dynamic Catherine Hardwicke.

Carol Whiteman President & CEO, Creative Women Workshops Association and Producer of Canadas acclaimed Women In the Directors Chair program.

The rise of Catherines directing star starting with Thirteen, The Nativity and Lords of Dogtown, not to mention the tsunamic impact of Twilight, make her an absolutely inspiring Honorary Director for this years Festival. Whiteman will also moderate the tribute interview.

Carol Whiteman President & CEO, Creative Women Workshops Association and Producer of Canadas acclaimed Women In the Directors Chair program.

Thank you, Female Eye Film Festival, for honoring me with this award. It's such a privilege to be a part of a festival that recognizes what all the women filmmakers around the world have to offer. Looking forward to chilling with my northern sisters!

Director Catherine Hardwicke.