The Zonta Club of the Joliet Area will host a traveling film festival on March 29

On March 29, the Zonta Club of the Joliet Area will host LUNAFEST, a traveling film festival of eight films that depict women as “leaders in society,” according to a news release from the Joliet club.

LUNAFEST will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Renaissance Center located at 214 N. Ottawa St. in Joliet. Tickets are $40, which includes dinner and a cash bar. Attendees must wear facemasks and show proof of vaccination or negative COVID test taken within 72 hours prior to the event. Purchase tickets at bit.ly/Zontalunafest.

“This event is a great opportunity for the Joliet community to celebrate women in film and as leaders in society,” Helen Ross, LUNAFEST co-chair of Zonta Club of the Joliet Area, said in a news release. “These films are written, directed and produced by women for women. The theme of films are issues that women and girls deal with every day, issues such as domestic violence, cultural diversity, LGBT, bullying and women health issues.”

Beth Colvin, president of the Zonta Club of the Joliet Area, said films include animation and fictional drama.

These stories of reflection, hope and humor will compel discussion, make you laugh, tug at your heartstrings and motivate you to make a difference in your community,” Colvin said in the release.

Past Zonta president Mohra Gavankar will serve as emcee and lead a discussion of the films with those attending. Gavankar is presidentof Rockdale Controls, a solid-state electronic control company, served on the board of trustees for Lewis University in Romeoville, presents life-lesson workshops at high schools and community colleges and served as the state chair for Distinguished Young Women of Illinois Scholarship Program for 14 years, the release said.

Kristine Schlismann, LUNAFEST co-chair of Zonta Club of the Joliet Area, shared brief descriptions of the films, happy the event won’t be held virtually again this year.

“After watching the films, I remember really wanting to discuss them with others,” Schlismann said in an email. “I am so excited that we can come together this year in person to share our perspectives and insights into these thought provoking films.”

1. “How to Be at Home” – An animated short film directed by Andrea Dorfman

“This film examines the sadness of being alone, and the feelings we had while having to keep apart,” Schlismann said.

She said the director asks viewers to “lean into the loneliness” and remember the connection people have with each other.

2. “Close Ties to Home Country” – Directed by Akanksha Cruczynski

This film was “inspired by an immigrant and dog walker who is straddling two cultures, not feeling like she truly belongs to one culture or another,” Schlismann said.

The viewer will see the “juxtaposition between the world of the wealthy Instagram influencers she is dog sitting for and the reality of her own life,” since she has not returned home in 14 years, Schlismann said.

3. “The Coder” – Directed by Samantha Knowles

This “documentary about a young woman of color teaching other women of color to code” also " destigmatizes incarceration while telling the story of fostering connection and empowering others, Schlismann said.

The story centers around a 13-year-old who creates an app to faciliate communation with her father. He was incarcerated early in life and taught her code. She passes along the skill to other girls of color, Schlismann said.

4. “Proof of Loss” – Directed by Katherine Fisher

A father and daughter cope with the loss of their community and all possessions in the aftermath of a forest fire, Schlismann said.

“The story examines the complicated relationship between father and daughter as the father feels relief at possessions lost since they no longer remind him of his wife who has passed, while the daughter grieves the loss of items that remind her of her mom,” Schlismann said. “There can be relief in grief, and hope in rebuilding.”

5. “When You Clean A Strangers Home”– Directed by Sharon Arteaga

This short film, from the perspective of a next-generation Latina child of a female domestic worker, sees firsthand the social, economic, and professional disparities as she cleans homes with her mother, Schlismann said.

“It tells the story of the invisible industry of domestic work,” Schlismann said.

6. “Between the Lines: Liz at Large” – Directed by Abi Cole

This short film tells the story of the power of cartoons and the first Black female cartoonist at the New Yorker, Schlismann said.

“She examines the stress and toll that creators of color, particularly women of color, experience as they work to ensure their community and perspective is represented,” Schlismann said.

7. “Wearable Tracy” – Directed by Emily McAllister

This story examines how “wearing silly hats made of pipe cleaners to honor a friend” becomes a social experience in the city of New York, Schlismann said.

Schlismann said the story shows “what is possible when we suspend our thoughts, fears, and judgements, and just be ourselves and put ourselves out there.”

8. “To the Future, with Love” – Directed by Shaleece Haas

This animated film is about a 19-year-old nonbinary trans man and child of a Guatemalan immigrant struggling to find acceptance and support, Schlismann said.

“The overarching message is – be yourself, life is short, find your support system, and follow your dreams,” Schlismann said.

For information, visit lunafest.org and jolietzonta.org.