Social D’Eva

by Stephanie Ramirez

Inspiration

by Caroline King

or the last seven years ideas sparked by the films. LUNAFEST has been celebrating LUNAFEST’s films have won industry women filmmakers, showcasing awards and audience accolades, and the their films and talents in communities films selected for 2007-08 LUNAFthroughout the United States and Can- EST share this brilliance. From quirky ada. For the first time since its incepanimation to touching documentaries, tion, the national, traveling the films selected are incredfilm festival will make a stop ibly diverse in both style and in Knoxville this month. subject matter but are united LUNAFEST features short by a common thread of exfilms by, for, and about ceptional storytelling. women. LUNA, the makers Of the more moving films of a nutrition bar developed in this year’s line up, “Make for women, wanted to find a Wish”, is about a young a way to support women’s Palestinian girl who will do issues and give back to their whatever it takes to buy a community. In addition to birthday cake. The director, Stephanie Ramirez providing national exposure Cherien Dabis, born to Palrelocated to for emerging female filmestinian immigrant parents, Knoxville with makers, they also support is an award-winning indehusband Santiago one of the most important pendent filmmaker. “Make a three years ago. causes for women today by Wish” premiered at the 2007 She is mother to donating 15 percent of the Sundance Film Festival and 14-month-old proceeds from the festival went on to win top awards in Sagen Kai and an to the Breast Cancer Fund. Dubai, Rotterdam, Cairo and 11-year-old Jack The remaining 85 percent Aspen. Russell Terrier, of proceeds go directly back Diana Keam of Cape Town, Beezer! to a local community orgaSouth Africa, directed “My nization. Other Mother”, a touchStroller Strides of Knoxville was seing short film about the realties of crib lected to host Knoxville’s first LUNAF- death. Diana’s long-standing ambiEST and they chose The Restoration tion has been to direct. Following the House of East Tennessee as the benefitraditional “old school” approach, she ciary of the event. has worked her way up the ranks from The Restoration House (TRH) numerous feature films, music videos, provides transitional housing for lowdocumentaries, TV series, and over income, single mother families. There 200 local and international TV comthey find resources and tools to help mercials, garnering an excellent reputathem make successful life transitions tion in all spheres of film making. “My and to set goals and dreams. TRH plans Other Mother” is Diana’s directorial to use its share of the proceeds to begin debut. housing three more families through On the whimsical side, the film “The its supportive housing program starting Guarantee” portrays a dancer’s comical this June. The funds will serve as a rent story about his prominent nose and the subsidy for each family’s housing unit, effect it has on his career. Director Jesse which costs TRH an average of $400 a Erica Epstein is the founder of a youth month per family. video program in Manhattan’s Lower It is about finding the untold story: East Side, and for the past three sumthe hidden gem that is simply too mers, she was an instructor for “Reel good and too creative to be accepted in Stories”: Sundance’s youth documen“mainstream Hollywood.” The films tary workshop. selected reflect real life. They are stories Over the years, LUNAFEST has grown of reflection and whimsy, hope and from a single annual event to more than humor, grace and perseverance. 100 festivals each season. To date they Collectively, the films captivate audihave raised over $250,000 for worthences, compel dialogue and arm those while women’s organizations, while raiswho participate with both the knowledge ing hope and awareness for the stories and the motivation to make a difference of women everywhere. in their communities. LUNAFEST is LUNAFEST Knoxville will feature not only about screening an evening eight films, selected for their style, of films to a community of women humor and touching subject matter. To (and their friends, families, partners, preview all the films and to read more husbands, and boyfriends), but about about the directors, visit www.lunafest. giving viewers a venue to share their org.

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Finding the Untold Story...

Museical Frustration

Sitting underneath the sun beams I am small and warm and humbled By this gigantic ball of fire. Sequins are not creative. They appear twinkling on my skylight Every frosty winter morning. A symphonic genius will never Capture the blustering rhapsody Played nightly by the Hemlock tree. Shakespeare’s quill, though brilliantly refined, Cannot express the melodious sonnet Bellowed by the raven perched high on his wooden throne. With my pen full of ink and my paper more than willing, I sit dazed and confused as to Why my windows remain closed and The words have yet to be composed? Coincidence? I think not. Farewell, I am going for a walk. Caroline King is a lifetime Knoxvillian who loves this city and its people. She can be seen around town shopping, catering, laughing, writing, reading, and perhaps performing with the local theatre companies. As of January ’08, she has been tackling motherhood for the first time and loves it!

Where’s Eva?

Where’s Eva?

EvaMag designer Virginia Green keeps tennessee green by recycling her EvaMag!