Festival to feature universal themes by talented directors

By Allison Bethurem

The day-in-the-life of a lingerie shop owner in New York, a young barber facing the reality of media manipulation and storybook heroines in desperate need of therapy.

These are some themes of the Lunafest Film Festival, presented by the Women’s Resource Center and USU Productions, which will be held Friday in the Satellite Student Union at 7 p.m.

Even though the film festival’s slogan is “Films by women, for women and about women,” Carla Joe Dakin, the woman credited with bringing the film festival to Fresno State last year, feels the event caters to both genders and all ages.

“The themes of the films are universal,” Dakin said. “There is something in each film for everyone, and they are all rated PG, so children can come and enjoy them.”

The film festival had its first appearance at Fresno State last year, and was sold out, said Francine Oputa, the coordinator at the Women’s Resource Center.

“We had a sold out showing last year, and it was the first trial,” said Oputa. “Each year, the films are different, and the films this year are even better than last year’s.”

This year, the organizations involved are hoping to double last year’s attendance. With talented directors and universal themes, Lunafest is attracting more attention, with the intent to grow and expand to more cities nationwide.

The money made from the festival will benefit breast cancer research and funds.

“The first Lunafest Film Festival was four years ago,” said Dakin, who is a cancer survivor. “It started out in only seven cities; now it has spread to over 70.”

Dakin said the films will not leave viewers depressed or sad about the effects breast cancer can have in people’s lives.

“The films are not a way to hammer breast cancer into our minds,” Dakin said. “The most serious film is an animated short about a questionable murder in the 1920s. The films will make you laugh, and think.

They are very clever and most of all, upbeat.”