BRATTLEBORO — The 2012 Women's Film Festival concludes this weekend with a sneak preview of a film that's rocking the jazz world, and the screening of the Best in Fest film, a 2010 documentary about Dr. Jane Goodall.
On Saturday, March 24, at 4 p.m. at the Latchis Theatre, there will be a one-time sneak-preview screening of a new award-winning documentary about the unknown history of women jazz musicians from the 1930s to today. The film has been winning audience awards at prestigious film festivals on the West Coast, and is now making its way east.
“It is an unusual privilege for the festival to have the film before its New York premiere, so organizers have promised to keep the name of the film under wraps - until folks get to the theater,” writes Lissa Weinmann, who serves on the festival's steering committee.
Weinmann describes the film as “a great scene-setter for a special Vermont Jazz Center event that same evening at 8 p.m.”
Sheila Jordan, one of five winners of the 2011 National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters Fellowship, will perform. Those showing a Sheila Jordan concert ticket will get $1 off their ticket at the door of the film screening.
Closing reception
On Sunday, March 25 at 5 p.m., the public is invited to the festival's free closing reception in the lobby at the New England Youth Theatre.
Following the reception at 6:30 p.m., the festival will conclude with the Best in Fest winner, Jane's Journey, a film about Dr. Jane Goodell, a legendary scientist and protector of animal habitat.
The film follows Goodell, who gave up her career as a primatologist to devote her life to environmental advocacy, on her annual trip to Gombe National Park on the shores of Lake Tanganyika, in Tanzania, where she launched her career nearly 50 years ago.
The Best in Fest winner was determined by audience rankings on comment cards throughout the film festival.Women's Film Festival passes may be used for the sneak preview as well as the Best in Fest screening. Tickets will be sold at the door; cost is $8, or $6 for seniors and students.
For more information, visit www.womensfilmfestival.org.