Images by: Angela Di Filippo

On April 6th, 2024, numerous local residents convened in downtown Everett at the Performing Arts Center on Wetmore to celebrate film. And not just any films, but documentaries, features, shorts, and animated works all devoted to sharing “a unique look into the lives of women”. 

This festival has been held annually since 1997, when it was first envisioned by a group of women who wanted to do two things. First was to bring an international film festival experience to Everett and the larger Snohomish County. Second, was to provide the opportunity for people to experience art centered on the diverse and rich lives of women. While the festival started with films created primarily by women, over the years it has expanded its focus to include films that provide more insight into women’s experiences and everyday lives all over the world. 

Upon entering the lobby, you were greeted by some volunteers selling raffle tickets to prizes of gift certificates to local restaurants and stores and the smell of freshly-popped popcorn. There were beverages (and event cups), complimentary snacks, and even wraps and salad for dinner provided by The Valley Organic Deli (included with the event ticket purchase). Posters from past festivals were available for purchase and tables were set up so people could catch up and chat before the main event. 

Right before starting the films, one of the board members gave a welcome and thanks to this year’s sponsors and volunteers. Then they asked how many of the attendees were first timers and many - including myself - raised their hands. 

The first film was a documentary called “Daughters of the Forest,” which shared the story of the first graduating class of the Centro Educativo Mbaracayu School in Paraguay. This school was established to give young women from the most rural areas of Paraguay, where teen pregnancy runs high and educational opportunities are practically non-existent, an opportunity to learn how to protect the forest, as well as learn practical skills that will help them live better lives and better support their communities. 

Many of the films followed this theme of environmental conservation, with the second providing insight into how we can learn about climate change by studying ancient trees and the third sharing how trees talk to one another using root systems and mushrooms. This transitioned us into the first of two Q&As during the festival, which featured the Black Forest Mushrooms mycologist, who shared all about their store as well as a little bit about the importance of mushrooms. After a short break and the first raffle where people won gift certificates to Cafe Wylde, Pisces Pie, Andy Fish House, and more, we were treated to a selection of short films about the importance of preserving and conserving waterways to prevent farmland flooding and ensure fish habitats can be restored. We then got to hear from Tara Luckie and Monica Van Der Vieren, Directors of two of the three previous shorts, who shared more about their dreams of creating sustainable food resources for their communities, especially in light of climate change and the impacts it will have on our region. 

Around dinnertime (where we enjoyed wraps and a second raffle), attendees enjoyed three very different short films. The first, “Lunchbox”, shared the story of a Taiwanese American mother reflecting on her experiences with her own immigrant mother and how love is so often demonstrated through food and in how we prepare it for those we care about. The second short, “Cherry”, follows a young woman over a weekend as she decides for herself what it means to be an adult and how she wants to move forward in this chapter in her life. The third, “Barricade,” focused on how young women connect, empower, and support one another after an assault from one of their peers. While all different, all of these illuminated different loving relationships between women and how that love forms us throughout our lives.  

The festival's feature film was “You Hurt My Feelings,” a dark comedy where a writer in New York (played by Julia Lous-Dreyfus) hears her husband’s unedited reaction to her latest book. Laugher filled the auditorium for much of this film’s screening, and it served as a healthy reminder of the importance of communication and trust, no matter how long you’ve been with someone. The festival soon ended with a short animation that poked fun at the standards women are expected to maintain according to popular culture, as opposed to the standard women are naturally born with. 

Spending a Saturday surrounded by old and new friends, learning more about the world (as well as our local community), and celebrating films about women was an experience I highly recommend. While this year’s festival has passed, it’s never too early to prepare for next year’s event! They are always looking for sponsors and volunteers; you can volunteer on the official Everett Film Festival site.

Angela Di Filippo currently works in State Social Services and recently earned her Masters in Industrial/Organizational Psychology with extensive training in evidence-based leadership coaching. Angela moved from North Carolina to Washington 6 years ago and has proudly called Everett her home for 5 of those years. When not helping others solve problems in creative and strength-driven ways, Angela enjoys her time painting, hiking with her terrier-mix, Indy, and eating waffles.