Festival History
The Family of Woman Film Festival was founded in Sun Valley, Idaho, in 2008, by Friends of UNFPA Board Member, Peggy Elliott Goldwyn, to bring attention to the work of the United Nations Population Fund, which works in more than 150 countries to assure women and girls have access to reproductive health care, education and basic human rights. Stephanie Freid-Perenchio became Co-Director of the Festival in 2012, and stepped down from her position in 2018.
Five feature documentaries and dramas from around the world are presented each year, personalizing the status of women in different societies. The Festival has collaborated with many community organizations, such as Wood River High School, Community School, Hemingway School, The Advocates, I Have a Dream Foundation-Idaho, and The Community Library. Films premiered at the Festival have also been screened at a satellite Family of Woman Festival in Wilmette, Illinois, as well as at individual film screenings in Minneapolis and Seattle.
In 2014, the annual keynote address was named the Bonni Curran Memorial Lecture for the Health and Dignity of Women, in honor of a local philanthropist deeply committed to working on behalf of women and children around the world. In the same year, a new feature was added, Filmmaker Retrospective, honoring a previous filmmaker for their work. A collaboration with Boise State University was also initiated, bringing Festival films and speakers to the campus.
In 2015, the Festival launched a new partnership with Women Deliver, a leading global advocate for girls’ and women’s health, rights and wellbeing. POV Breakfasts, intimate discussions with international speakers, were added to the Festival events. In 2019, Friends of UNFPA once again became the Festival’s beneficiary and partner.
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2020
“Women Who Won’t Be Stopped”
Through a collaboration with The Community Library in Ketchum, Idaho, the entire Festival, with the theme, “Women Who Won’t Be Stopped”, was held virtually, with most events free to the public.
Five free feature films plus a film short were presented:
A Girl From Mogadishu, Drama, Somalia and Republic of Ireland, with Ifrah Ahmed, on which the film was based, and Mary McGuikian, the director
Councilwoman, Documentary, USA, with the film’s subject, Councilwoman Carmen Castillo, and the director, Margo Guernsey
Apache 8, Documentary, USA, with one of the film’s subjects, Katy Aday, and director Sande Zeig
The Perfect Candidate, Drama, Saudi-Arabia
The King of Masks, Drama, China
Akashinga, Documentary Short Subject, Zimbabwe
Three of the films, The Perfect Candidate, Councilwoman, and Apache 8 were also shown in a collaboration with The Andrus Center for Public Policy’s Women and Leadership Conference at
Boise State University.
The Bonni Curran Memorial Lecture was presented by Dr. Natalia Kanem, Executive Director of UNFPA and Under Secretary General of the United Nations. Her free lecture is archived at The
Community Library. https://comlib.org
Sponsors of the Festival were offered an additional screening of Raise Hell: the Life and Times of Molly Ivins Documentary, US
Festival Sponsors were also invited to two POV Breakfasts:
Sarah Deer, a citizen of the Muscogee (Creek) nation of Oklahoma and a professor at the University of Oklahoma, spoke after a screening of the documentary, Sisters Rising, about the sexual violence endured by Native American Woman.
Linda Barnett, Chair of the Board of Directors of The Children’s Radio Foundation spoke of their work with 3500 trained youth reporters across seven countries in Africa
2019
“Women Still Waiting for Change”
The Bleeding Edge, documentary from the USA
The Judge, documentary from Palestine, with producer and editor Sara Maamouri
I Am Not a Witch, drama from Zambia
Facing the Dragon, documentary from Afghanistan
On Her Shoulders, documentary, Global
Tocando La Luz, documentary from Cuba, with director Jennifer Redfearn
Barbara Attie and Janet Goldwater were the Filmmaker Retrospective Honorees, with Mrs. Goundo’s Daughter, first presented at the Festival in 2010.
The Bonni Curran Memorial Lecture was presented by Mariarosa Cutillo, Chief of the Strategic Partnerships Branch of UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency. She spoke on the theme of the Festival, “Women Still Waiting for Change”.
Bouwe-Jan Smeding, Senior Program Advisor in the UNFPA Humanitarian office, spoke at the Point of View Breakfast about his perspective on the internal crisis in in Yemen.
Suzanne Bowles and Naima Dido of Tostan spoke at a Point of View Breakfast about their organizations’s work in West Africa.
A special photographic exhibit was held based on a campaign by UNFPA.
Boise State University presented The Bleeding Edge, with producer Amy Herdy ,and The Judge, with filmmaker Sara Maamouri.
2018
“Women On the Margins”
Girls’ War, documentary from Kurdish region in Iraq, with Director Mylene Sauloy
In Syria, drama from Syria, with Director Philippe Van Leeuw
Mama Colonel, documentary from the Democratic Republic of Congo, with Dr. Henia Dekkak of The United Nations Population Fund
Poetry, drama from South Korea
Sami Blood, drama form Sweden
Tocando La Luz, documentary from Cuba, with director Jennifer Redfearn
Jennifer Redfearn was the Filmmaker Retrospective Honoree, with Sun Come Up, first presented at the Festival in 2009.
Maria Cavalcanti, President and Chief Executive Officer of Pro Mujer, delivered The Bonnie Curran Memorial Lecture for the Health and Dignity of Women.
Susan Sygall, MacArthur Fellow and CEO and Founder of Mobility International USA (MIAUSA) was a scheduled POV breakfast speaker, whose appearance was cancelled due to a snowstorm.
Dr. Henia Dakkak of UNFPA was a POV Breakfast speaker on international humanitarian relief.
Boise State University presented Mama Colonel with Dr. Henia Dakkak of UNFPA, and In Syria, with filmmaker director Philippe Van Leeuw.
2017
We Celebrated our 10th Anniversary
The Apology, documentary from China, South Korea, The Philippines, with Director Tiffany Hsuing
The Eagle Huntress, documentary from Mongolia, with Producer Stacey Reiss
No Le Digas a Nadie (Don’t Tell Anyone), documentary from the USA, with film subject, Angy Rivera, and director Mikaela Shwer
Motley’s Law, documentary from Afghanistan, with film subject, Kimberley Motley
Sonita, documentary from Iran, with film subject, Sonita Alizadeh and Aimee Oberndorfer Le, Advocacy Director, The Strongheart Group.
Sedika Mojadidi, was the Filmmaker Retrospective honoree, with Motherland Afghanistan, first presented at the premiere Festival in 2006.
Sarah Costa, Executive Director of The Women’s Refugee Commission, delivered The Bonni Curran Memorial Lecture for the Health and Dignity of Women.
Yemurai Nyoni from Zimbabwe, youth family planning ambassador for the United Nations Population Fund and Women Deliver Young Leader of 2012, was a POV Breakfast Speaker.
Muhammad Shahzad Kahn, from Pakistan, founder and executive director of Chanan Development Association, providing opportunities for youth and women, was a POV Breakfast Speaker.
Christian DelSol of The United Nations Population Fund, presented the Virtual Reality film, Born Into Exile to audiences at The Community Library in Ketchum and The Community Campus in Hailey.
Two bonus feature films were shown at The Magic Lantern in Ketchum, Mustang, drama from Turkey, and Where Do We Go Now, drama portraying a fictional country in the Mid East.
Boise State University presented The Apology, with director Tiffany Hsuing and No Le Digas a Nadie, with director Mikaela Shwer and film subject Angie Rivera.
2016
“Women Thinking Globally and Acting Locally”
The Sound of Torture, documentary from Israel and the Sinai desert, with Meron Estefanos, the subject of the film
The Hunting Ground, documentary from the United States, with Amy Herdy, Investigative producer of the film
Dreamcatcher, documentary from the United States, with Brenda Myers-Powell, Stephanie Daniels and Temeka Funches, subjects of the film
India’s Daughter, documentary from India, with filmmaker, Leslee Udwin
Speed Sisters, documentary from Palestine, with Amber Fares, filmmaker, and Maysoon Jamal, subject of the film
Christy Turlington Burns, Festival Retrospective Filmmaker, presented No Woman, No Cry, first shown as a special Festival event in 2011.
In her role as Founder of Every Mother Counts, Christy Turlington Burns also delivered the Bonni Curran Memorial Lecture for the Health and Dignity of Women.
Pulitzer Prize winning international photojournalist, Stephanie Sinclair was the POV Breakfast speaker.
Due to illness, the second POV Breakfast speaker, Sarah Costa, Executive Director of the Women’s Refugee Commission was rescheduled for 2017.
Boise State University presented The Sound of Torture, with film subject Meron Estefanos; The Hunting Ground, with film subject Sofie Karasek; and India’s Daughter, with filmmaker Leslee Udwin.
2015
“Women & Their Dreams”
The Supreme Price, documentary from Nigeria, with filmmaker Joanna Lipper, and Hafsat Abiola, subject of the film
Sepideh, documentary from Iran, with filmmaker Mona Rafatzedeh, and former astronaut, Barbara Morgan
Kicking Machismo, documentary short from Brazil, and Fists of Fury, documentary short from India, with filmmaker Reed Lindsay and international journalist Jihan Hafiz
Light Fly, Fly High, documentary from India, followed by discussion with Reed Lindsay, Jihan Hafiz, and Jordan Hawkes
#chicagogirl, documentary from Syria, with filmmaker Joe Piscatella, and Alaa Basatenah, subject of the film
Pakistan’s Hidden Shame, documentary from Pakistan, with filmmaker Mohammed Naqvi
Mohammed Naqvi was also honored as the Festival Retrospective Filmmaker, re-showing Shame, which was first presented at the 2008 Festival.
Jill Sheffield, President and Founder of Women Deliver, was the Bonni Curran Memorial Lecture for the Health and Dignity of Women speaker.
Two POV Breakfasts were inaugurated featuring Elizabeth Scharpf, Founder of Sustainable Health Enterprises, a social enterprise addressing girls’ and women’s lack of access to affordable menstrual pads in Africa, Asia and South America, and Jennah Scott, Director of the Liberia Philanthropy Secretariat in the Office of the President of Liberia.
Boise State University presented The Supreme Price, with filmmaker Joanna Lipper, and Hafsat Abiola, the subject of the film, as well as Sepideh, with filmmaker Mona Rafatzedeh and former astronaut, Barbara Morgan. Elizabeth Scharpf also spoke at BSU at a separate event.
Idaho State University presented Pakistan’s Hidden Shame, with filmmaker Mohammed Naqvi.
At a satellite festival in Wilmette, Illinois, three films were shown: India’s Daughter, with filmmaker Leslee Udwin, #chicagogirl, with the film’s subject, Alaa Basatneh, and The Supreme Price.
2014
“Women & Education”
Anita, documentary from the United States with filmmaker Freida Mock
Bay of All Saints, documentary from Brazil, with filmmaker Annie Eastman
Buddha Collapsed Out of Shame, drama from Afghanistan
Rafea, Solar Mama, documentary from Jordan and India, with Senior Advisor of The Barefoot College, Meagan Carnahan Fallone
Tall as the Baobab Tree, drama from Senegal, with filmmaker Jeremy Teicher
This is Us, bonus free screening of short documentary with filmmaker Jeremy Teicher and co-producer Alexi Pappas
The Festival was introduced by former astronaut and Distinguished Educator in Residence at Boise State University, Barbara Morgan.
Meagan Carnahan Fallone, Senior Advisor of the Barefoot College, presented the inaugural Bonni Curran Memorial Lecture for the Health and Dignity of Women.
A new feature, Filmmaker Retrospective, was inaugurated with Allison Shigo presenting her Emmy Award-winning film, A Walk to Beautiful.
Anxaira Rojas, a nurse-midwife from the Philippines and recipient of the Friends of UNFPA International Award, spoke on her work in typhoon crisis relief.
As part of a new collaboration with Boise State University, Rafea, Solar Mama was presented on campus with Meagan Carnahan Fallone. Anxaira Rojas made a separate presentation.
A satellite festival was held in Wilmette, Illinois, presenting Anita, A Walk to Beautiful with Allison Shigo, and Salaam Dunk, with the film’s subject, Ryan Bubalo.
2013
“Women & War”
The Invisible War, Oscar nominated documentary with filmmaker Amy Ziering and Trina MacDonald, subject of the film
Weapon of War, documentary from Democratic Republic of Congo
The World Before Her, documentary from India with filmmaker Nisha Pahuja
Words of Witness, documentary from Egypt
War Witch, Oscar nominated drama from Canada/Democratic Republic of Congo
The principal speaker was Kate Gilmore, Deputy-Executive Director of UNFPA, who presented a lecture on Women and War.
2012
“Women & the Arab Spring”
Cairo 6.7.8, drama from Egypt
Box With Her, documentary from Tunisia
Salaam Dunk, documentary from Iraq
The Price of Sex, documentary from Bulgaria
Saving Face, Academy Award-winning documentary from Pakistan with filmmaker Daniel Junge and Pakistani plastic surgeon, Dr. Mohammad Jawad, subject of the film.
The principal speaker was Sherin Saadallah, UNFPA Regional Advisor for Arab States, who explained women’s roles in the Arab Spring movement and answered questions following screenings.
In addition, Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin, Executive Director of UNFPA and Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations, attended the Festival and made remarks before the films.
2011
“Women & the Environment”
Voices Unveiled: Turkish Women Who Dare, documentary from Turkey with filmmaker Jill Lutz
Pink Saris, documentary from India
Divorce, Iranian Style, documentary from Iran
Climate Refugees, documentary with filmmakers Justin Hogan and David Nash
Sisters on the Planet, documentary short subject
Sun Come Up, Academy Award-winning short documentary
The principal speaker was Robert Engelman, Vice President for Programs for the Worldwatch Institute.
In January of 2011, No Woman, No Cry, a documentary by Christy Turlington was screened as a free public presentation at The Sun Valley Opera House. Dr. Thomas Burke, Harvard Medical School Professor and advisor to the governments of Liberia, Zambia and South Sudan, discussed maternal mortality with Arlene Samen, nurse practitioner and Founder of One Heart-World-Wide.
2010
Bliss, drama from Turkey
The Maid, award-winning drama from Chile
Lemon Tree, drama from Israel
Mrs. Goundo’s Daughter, documentary from Mali with filmmakers Barbara Attie and Janet Goldwater
Sari Soldiers, documentary from Nepal with filmmaker Julie Bridgham
The principal public speaker was Dr. Hailegiorgis Aytenfisu, Chief Surgeon of the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital in Ethiopia. St. Luke’s Wood River Foundation sponsored his appearance and he also presented to hospital staff.
In addition, three short films from the BBC series Women on the Frontline about gender-based violence screened at Community School. Co-sponsors, The Advocates and the Wood River Religious Leaders Alliance, conducted a panel discussion afterward.
2009
Lumo, from The Democratic Republic of Congo with filmmaker Bent-Jorgen Perlmutt
A Walk to Beautiful, Emmy-winning film from Ethiopia with filmmaker Allison Shigo
Pray the Devil Back to Hell from Liberia
My Home, Your War from Iraq
Pamela Delargy, Chief of UNFPA’s Humanitarian Response Unit, was the principal public speaker.
2008
Water, Academy Award-winning drama from India
Moolaade, drama from Senegal by Africa’s most distinguished filmmaker, Ousmane Sembene
Motherland, Afghanistan, documentary with filmmaker Sedika Mojadidi
Shame, documentary from Pakistan with filmmaker Mohammed Naqvi
Dr. Amreen Hussain, a surgeon repairing debilitating injuries resulting from unattended childbirth in Eritrea, spoke to the general public at The Community Library.
