TORONTO, Nov. 9, 2009 (Canada NewsWire via COMTEX) -- After a successful
inaugural year, the world's first breast cancer film festival is back and bigger
than ever. Along with a new selection of inspiring films that cover the
emotional spectrum of the breast cancer journey, Rethink Breast Cancer's 2009
Breast Fest Film Festival is unveiling a new three-day program to include
additional workshops to further engage and educate audiences.
"Last year's Festival showcased different perspectives on breast cancer, and
connected people to each other and to the breast cancer cause in a new and
unique way," said Alison Gordon, Breast Fest Film Festival's director and a
vice-president at Rethink Breast Cancer (Rethink). "More than 700 people
attended Breast Fest, and the powerful stories and important messages resonated
around the world. This year, we are building on that success by adding more
panel discussions and workshops to inspire dialogue, facilitate learning, and
foster community."
This year's Festival focuses on the importance of storytelling as part of the
healing process and will include the premiere of Rethink's own short documentary
film, About Her. This original production will open Breast Fest Film Festival on
Friday night and be screened again on Saturday morning as part of the Words for
Wellness writing workshop. About Her brings together the stories of Canadian
women living with HER2-positive breast cancer, one of the most aggressive forms
of the disease.
"I have been living with metastatic breast cancer for nine years and
storytelling has been an important therapeutic tool for me throughout my
journey," said Ms. Lisa Rendall, a Saskatoon resident living with HER2-postive
breast cancer. "I am honoured to be sharing my story with the other inspiring
women featured in About Her, and to be participating in a panel discussion at
the Festival on metastatic breast cancer. Through both, I hope to highlight the
role of storytelling in the healing process and maybe even make someone else's
journey a little bit easier."
Three-time cancer survivor Jonna Tamases agrees that many people who are touched
by breast cancer experience the healing power of storytelling and
self-expression. Her award-winning film, Jonna's Body, Please Hold, is a dark
comedy that uses humour to engage audiences, but also delivers a deeply moving
message.
"As a writer and performer, I'm excited by the possibilities for art that can
come out of a traumatic event, and exploring artistic ways of sharing a story,"
said Ms. Tamases. "I wanted to create a film that expresses the fullness of
life: the laughter, joy, silliness and power, as well as the struggle. Its a way
for me to turn something horrible into something communicative, to invite people
to maybe see their own trials in a new way and live a little lighter."
Jonna's Body, Please Hold will be screened on Saturday night, and will be
followed by a Q&A with Ms. Tamases. The Saturday night program also includes the
screening of the 2009 Breast Fest Film Festival short film competition winner,
FLAT. The competition provides an international forum for storytelling and this
year's winning film, FLAT, is from Tel Aviv, Israel. FLAT puts a futuristic spin
on breast cancer awareness, and the winning film's director, Nitsana Bellehsen,
will be available for interview to speak about how film can be used to make a
difference in people's lives. Ms. Bellehsen will also receive the Amazing Grace
award, created in memory of Grace Cianciotta, and a $1,500 cash prize.
Screenings will take place November 20 - 22 at Toronto's Royal Ontario Museum
(ROM) Theatre, 100 Queen's Park, Toronto, Ontario. Tickets for the opening night
screenings and gala are $25 per person, and tickets for all other screenings and
sessions are $10 per person. Please visit www.breastfestfilmfest.com to view
show times and purchase tickets, and to watch "Feel Up," the new Breast Fest
Film Festival PSA.
Proud sponsors of the Breast Fest Film Festival include Maple Pictures,
Chatelaine, Global Toronto, NOW, Principle, Roche, Schick Quattro for Women,
yellowtail, TELUS and Juniper Park.
About Rethink Breast Cancer
Rethink Breast Cancer is an innovative charity that reaches out to young people
concerned about and affected by breast cancer. By taking a breakthrough approach
to all aspects of breast cancer - medical research, support, public awareness
and fundraising - Rethink Breast Cancer is thinking differently about how to
beat breast cancer and is expanding support for the cause.
About Breast Fest Film Festival
Breast Fest Film Festival uses the versatile medium of film to frame and explore
the spectrum of issues surrounding breast cancer. This annual festival uses
films, panels, workshops and speakers to connect people to the breast cancer
cause, inspire dialogue, facilitate learning and foster community. Breast Fest
Film Festival is the world's first film festival dedicated to breast cancer
awareness and is an initiative of Rethink Breast Cancer.
SOURCE: Rethink Breast Cancer
CONTACT: or to schedule an interview, please contact: Alia Hassan/Stephanie Yack, Cohn &
Wolfe, (416) 924-5700 ext. 4055/ext. 4043,
alia.hassan@cohnwolfe.ca/stephanie.yack@cohnwolfe.ca
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KEYWORD: Ontario
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