PRESS RELEASE

ILLUMINATE Film Festival Honors Women's Voices in Action

Sedona, Arizona - December 19, 2018 - ILLUMINATE Film Festival unveils the 2019 CineMatters Series with a Women's Voices in Action Day, featuring the Arizona premiere screening of This Changes Everything and discussion with director/producer Tom Donahue (Thank You for Your Service, Casting By), producer Ilan Arboleda, and cast member Maria Giese. The film will be shown at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre, 2030 AZ-89A Suite A-3, Sedona, AZ 86336 at 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm. Film tickets are $15.

This Changes Everything is a feature documentary that uncovers what is behind one of the most confounding dilemmas in the entertainment industry—the under-representation and misrepresentation of women. Through the incomparable voices of award-winning actresses Meryl Streep, Reese Witherspoon, Natalie Portman, Cate Blanchett, Rosario Dawson, Marisa Tomei, executive producer Geena Davis and others of the #TimesUpNow and #MeToo movements, the film explores historical and empirical evidence, and systemic forces that foster gender discrimination and reinforce disparities in our culture.

Garnering rave reviews and standing ovations from audiences and critics at the Toronto International Film Festival, this compelling film is a powerful call to action for changing the current patriarchal paradigm to an inclusive gender equal society.

"We see how the lack of diversity and female roles in film has profoundly impacted our storytelling and how we and our children see ourselves in the world," says Danette Wolpert, Executive Director of ILLUMINATE Film Festival. "This film has the power to transform culture and what is possible for women."

This Changes Everything screening is part of a day long event in partnership with the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) Sedona-Verde Valley Chapter. Women's Voices in Action Day includes a luncheon and panel discussion with some of Arizona's most influential women leaders including Mesha Davis, the CEO of the Arizona Foundation for Women, and Maria Giese, director and advocate for gender equality in Hollywood. Participating local organizations include International Cities of Peace, Arizona Foundation for Women, Verde Valley Sanctuary, and others. The luncheon will be held from 11:00 am to 1:30 pm at the Sound Bites Grill showroom, 101 N State Rte 89A, Sedona, AZ 86336. Purchase tickets at https://nawbosvv.org/monthly-events.

"We are at a critical juncture in our society. Women's rights is the concern of our time," says Bridget Cardinali, Women's Voices in Action Program Manager of ILLUMINATE Film Festival. "The Women's Voices in Action program supports the women's movement to equality as we seek to empower the voices of women and mobilize to action. We are thrilled to bring this timely program to Sedona."

Prior to the film showing, the public is invited to ActionSpace: Bring Your Voice to the Table to sign up to take action in supporting local women's empowerment organizations.

ILLUMINATE Film Festival is the world's premier film festival for conscious cinema. Founded in 2014 by Danette Wolpert, ILLUMINATE Executive Director, the festival showcases the best of conscious media to uplift, inspire, and transform humanity.

ILLUMINATE Film Festival is a 501(c)3 sponsored organization. This year's major event sponsors are Amanda Romania, LLC; Sedona Chamber of Commerce; and Dr. Shaida Sina and Breakthrough Medicine. For more information and movie tickets, visit www.illuminatefilmfestival.com/womens-voices or call 928-421-1108.