*2025 Film Festival dates to be announced*
AAUW Petaluma Branch Film Festival
Sunday, March 10, 2024, 3 P.M.
Ellis Auditorium, Petaluma campus, SRJC, 680 Sonoma Mountain Parkway
Films about women and how they deal with adversity.
Tickets are $20 CASH ONLY at the door.
Note that we are using Zeffy as the ticketing agent. You will be offered an opportunity to contribute to them when you are checking out. If you prefer not to, choose “other” amount and leave it blank.
AAUW PETALUMA FF PROGRAM SYNOPSIS
NO MAN’S LAND FILM FESTIVAL
Films with the * next to the title indicates that they are in the running for the “Fem-Wow” award; ie. all-woman or
gender-nonconforming production.
Who Are You To Tell A Story? (3:10)*
Director + Producer: Erica Hinck
An intimate view of the filmmaker’s frustrations and fears. Erica never thought this project would be viewed on such a big screen by so many people at once. While it is scary for her, she’s thankful for those who make her feel brave and for all of you for watching it now.
Inseparable: Myia (11:31)*
Director: Andrew Harrison Brown
Producers: Palmer Morse + Brooke Jackson
As one of only 30 fluent Sḵwx̱ wú7mesh (Squamish) language speakers left in Sḵwx̱ wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation), Myia Antone teaches as a way to preserve her language for generations to come. Seeking to learn more about her culture and language, Myia uses her mountain bike as a needle weaving through her ancestral lands and language. While biking with other Indigenous women, Myia utilizes the Sḵwx̱ wú7mesh language to point out geographical features and native plants on rides. Weaving complex conversations through nuanced layers of generational trauma, Inseparable ultimately paints Indigenous joy and community as vital elements for a path forward.
Green Mountain with Hillary Allen (7:08)
Director + Director of Photography: Kody Kohlman
Producer: Luke Webster
The Green Mountain Trail is iconic in the Boulder, Colorado community and it has special meaning for Hillary Allen. It’s where she got into trail running. And it’s where she relearned to run after a 150-foot fall broke bones in her legs and back. But while she was training to Everest the segment, she found herself back in the hospital with a broken foot. The process of recovery would push her harder and teach her more than her original goal ever would have.
Practicing Freedom (4:05)*
Director: Cheshire Li
Producers: Cheshire Li + Rachel Gottfried
Practicing Freedom is a short documentary film centering queer folks and women of color as they navigate the challenges and joys of building an inclusive community, learning about themselves, and increasing representation in mountain biking.
Apayauq (16:29)*
Director: Zeppelin Zeerip
Producer: Princess Daazhraii Johnson
Apayauq Reitan's journey to become the first out transgender woman to complete the legendary Iditarod sled dog race.
Benched (8:45)*
Director: Bronwyn Davies
This is the story of a female professional athlete and new mother faced with the challenge of corporate politics coupled with societal norms. On March 12th, four-time U.S. mountain bike champion and professional cyclist Sonya Looney posted an Instagram video of herself manualing rollers and riding berms through a mini pump track in Kelowna, British Columbia. She was 40 weeks pregnant and she gave birth to a healthy baby boy a few days later.
This is the inspirational story of how Sonya challenges the norms of motherhood while simultaneously working to redefine the corporate side of athletics. Female athletes shouldn’t have to struggle to keep their pregnancy journeys hidden. Fear of sponsorship loss, failure to maintain results and standings, and societal pressure are all at play.
Suppose companies and people think that women can’t recover from pregnancy and be just as good, if not better. How can the athletes believe that themselves? Are female athletes indeed forced to choose between sponsorship and motherhood?
Elevated (15:08)*
Director: Palmer Morse
Producer: Rachel Weinberg
Effective communication is a challenge every climber faces. It’s a sport that requires intense focus, dedication, and overcoming fear. For Deaf climber Sonya Wilson, communication and community is of vital importance. Elevated is a non-verbal film sharing Sonya’s experience as a Deaf woman and outdoor advocate working to bridge the gap between the Deaf community and the outdoor industry, one crag at a time.
Miles To Go (8:14)
Director: James Saunders
Producers: Palmer Morse + Matt Mikkelsen
In 2022 alone there have been over 300 anti-LGBTQ+ bills proposed in various states across the country. Refusing to sit idly by, trans trail runner Perry Cohen (he/him) formed a team of fellow runners who identify as trans men with an aim to compete in races in states proposing and passing hateful legislation. Miles to Go follows their journey into the world of trail running and the freedom to be themselves on the trail.
North Shore Betty | You’re Never too Old to Send (12:10)*
Directors: Travis Rummel, Felt Soul Media, Darcy Hennessey Turenne + Well
Travelled Collective
Producers: Travis Rummel, Darcy Hennessey Turenne, Monika McClure, Alex
Lowther, Sakeus Bankson + Jimmy Hopper
After nearly 30 years on the harrowing and hallowed trails of British Columbia’s North Shore Mountains, Betty Birrell still thinks life is one big playground—and that you’re never too old to send.
Erin McGrady - Who is a Runner? (8:49)*
Directors: Faith Briggs + Tim Kemple
Producers: Faith Briggs + Cynthia Martinez
It takes the first 5-6 miles for the “bird’s nest” in Erin McGrady’s head to unravel. And then, putting one foot in front of the other, the photographer and writer work to create and celebrate safe spaces for others in the queer community. Together, with her wife Caroline Whatley, in spite of all they are up against as queer women in the South, they turn their attention toward the joy they get from traveling and creating community.
NO MAN’S LAND FILM FESTIVAL
Films with the * next to the title indicates that they are in the running for the “Fem-Wow” award; ie. all-woman or
gender-nonconforming production.
Who Are You To Tell A Story? (3:10)*
Director + Producer: Erica Hinck
An intimate view of the filmmaker’s frustrations and fears. Erica never thought this project would be viewed on such a big screen by so many people at once. While it is scary for her, she’s thankful for those who make her feel brave and for all of you for watching it now.
Inseparable: Myia (11:31)*
Director: Andrew Harrison Brown
Producers: Palmer Morse + Brooke Jackson
As one of only 30 fluent Sḵwx̱ wú7mesh (Squamish) language speakers left in Sḵwx̱ wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation), Myia Antone teaches as a way to preserve her language for generations to come. Seeking to learn more about her culture and language, Myia uses her mountain bike as a needle weaving through her ancestral lands and language. While biking with other Indigenous women, Myia utilizes the Sḵwx̱ wú7mesh language to point out geographical features and native plants on rides. Weaving complex conversations through nuanced layers of generational trauma, Inseparable ultimately paints Indigenous joy and community as vital elements for a path forward.
Green Mountain with Hillary Allen (7:08)
Director + Director of Photography: Kody Kohlman
Producer: Luke Webster
The Green Mountain Trail is iconic in the Boulder, Colorado community and it has special meaning for Hillary Allen. It’s where she got into trail running. And it’s where she relearned to run after a 150-foot fall broke bones in her legs and back. But while she was training to Everest the segment, she found herself back in the hospital with a broken foot. The process of recovery would push her harder and teach her more than her original goal ever would have.
Practicing Freedom (4:05)*
Director: Cheshire Li
Producers: Cheshire Li + Rachel Gottfried
Practicing Freedom is a short documentary film centering queer folks and women of color as they navigate the challenges and joys of building an inclusive community, learning about themselves, and increasing representation in mountain biking.
Apayauq (16:29)*
Director: Zeppelin Zeerip
Producer: Princess Daazhraii Johnson
Apayauq Reitan's journey to become the first out transgender woman to complete the legendary Iditarod sled dog race.
Benched (8:45)*
Director: Bronwyn Davies
This is the story of a female professional athlete and new mother faced with the challenge of corporate politics coupled with societal norms. On March 12th, four-time U.S. mountain bike champion and professional cyclist Sonya Looney posted an Instagram video of herself manualing rollers and riding berms through a mini pump track in Kelowna, British Columbia. She was 40 weeks pregnant and she gave birth to a healthy baby boy a few days later.
This is the inspirational story of how Sonya challenges the norms of motherhood while simultaneously working to redefine the corporate side of athletics. Female athletes shouldn’t have to struggle to keep their pregnancy journeys hidden. Fear of sponsorship loss, failure to maintain results and standings, and societal pressure are all at play.
Suppose companies and people think that women can’t recover from pregnancy and be just as good, if not better. How can the athletes believe that themselves? Are female athletes indeed forced to choose between sponsorship and motherhood?
Elevated (15:08)*
Director: Palmer Morse
Producer: Rachel Weinberg
Effective communication is a challenge every climber faces. It’s a sport that requires intense focus, dedication, and overcoming fear. For Deaf climber Sonya Wilson, communication and community is of vital importance. Elevated is a non-verbal film sharing Sonya’s experience as a Deaf woman and outdoor advocate working to bridge the gap between the Deaf community and the outdoor industry, one crag at a time.
Miles To Go (8:14)
Director: James Saunders
Producers: Palmer Morse + Matt Mikkelsen
In 2022 alone there have been over 300 anti-LGBTQ+ bills proposed in various states across the country. Refusing to sit idly by, trans trail runner Perry Cohen (he/him) formed a team of fellow runners who identify as trans men with an aim to compete in races in states proposing and passing hateful legislation. Miles to Go follows their journey into the world of trail running and the freedom to be themselves on the trail.
North Shore Betty | You’re Never too Old to Send (12:10)*
Directors: Travis Rummel, Felt Soul Media, Darcy Hennessey Turenne + Well
Travelled Collective
Producers: Travis Rummel, Darcy Hennessey Turenne, Monika McClure, Alex
Lowther, Sakeus Bankson + Jimmy Hopper
After nearly 30 years on the harrowing and hallowed trails of British Columbia’s North Shore Mountains, Betty Birrell still thinks life is one big playground—and that you’re never too old to send.
Erin McGrady - Who is a Runner? (8:49)*
Directors: Faith Briggs + Tim Kemple
Producers: Faith Briggs + Cynthia Martinez
It takes the first 5-6 miles for the “bird’s nest” in Erin McGrady’s head to unravel. And then, putting one foot in front of the other, the photographer and writer work to create and celebrate safe spaces for others in the queer community. Together, with her wife Caroline Whatley, in spite of all they are up against as queer women in the South, they turn their attention toward the joy they get from traveling and creating community.