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WSFF REWIND: A Virtual Film Festival

Celebrating female athletes through documentary film.

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Project Description

 

 

CAMPAIGN UPDATE:

While my original project, the WSFF Roadshow, is sidelined by COVID-19, I am doubling-down on my commitment to take the Women Sports Film Festival to audiences everywhere by creating WSFF REWIND, a virtual monthly film series featuring encore screenings of films from our first four years plus live post-film conversations with filmmakers and athletes. 

WSFF REWIND launches on July 16th and runs through July 26th.  For full list of featured films and to purchase tickets or passes, visit us HERE

Like so many, the independent film community has been hard hit by the economic impact of the pandemic. Your support will be used to pay well-deserved screening fees to filmmakers and to pay our all-female and non-binary team of moderators, designers and creatives who will bring the virtual festival to life. Contributions will also be used to make the festival accessible to students free of charge via our scholarship program. 

My plans may have changed but my mission to reimagine sports with women and girls at the center of the story remains the same. Thank you for your support of my campaign // Susan Sullivan, Founder

 

Post-film Q&A, Hardball: The Girls of Summer, World Premiere, WSFF 2019

 

meet the women sports film festival

The Women Sports Film Festival curates and amplifies documentary films about female athletes from around the world. We are re-writing an outdated script and ushering in a new narrative of women's sports that is strong, sovereign and self-defined. 

Building on the success of our annual San Francisco-based festival, we are launching the Women Sports Film Roadshow to connect athletes, filmmakers and audiences at live, in-person events that celebrate storytelling, face-to-face conversation and local community. 

 

San Francisco Bay Sox Girls Baseball,  WSFF 2019

the problem

Women and girls represent over 40% of participants in sport and yet we receive only 4% of all sports media coverage. Even when these stories are told, they are often defined in relation to the dominant masculine ideal of men's sports.

Study after study shows that women are underrepresented on screen and behind the camera. Only 10% of the top grossing films of 2019 were directed by women. This is a problem because filmmakers are our cultural narrators revealing who and what we believe matters by the stories that get told. The good news is when women and girls are better represented behind the camera, they are better reflected on the screen.

I started the film festival because I love movies about badass women smashing stereotypes and breaking barriers. I kept finding amazing documentaries that most people had never even heard of. Athletes living extraordinary lives and filmmakers working tirelessly to get the story to the screen. I felt it was my duty to pick up the ball and take it down the field by getting these films in front of audiences that would love them as much as I did.

 

Venus Vs., Directed by Ava DuVernay, WSFF 2017

 

our solution

The Women Sports Film Festival solves these problems by showing films that capture the true lived experience of women and girls in sport. These stories create their own context rather than being defined by the dominant narrative of sports.

Knowing that identity transcends gender, we center stories of athletes and filmmakers of diverse race, class, sexual orientation, age and ability, using sport and film as entry points to explore and address many of the most urgent issues impacting women and girls around the world. We invite all filmmakers to the table to tell these important stories - with over 50% of our films being created by women directors.

The festival is more than just a collection of films. It is an intentional, supportive, feminist community that creates an affirming viewing experience unlike any other. We value the emotional impact that comes from gathering in community to watch movies together and the potential it has to transform us, individually and collectively.

Launched in July 2016 leading up to the Rio Summer Games, we have held four annual film festivals and dozens of community screenings. The fifth Women Sports Film Festival will be held on September 24-26, 2020 at the Brava Theater in San Francisco, California. Watch trailers from our festivals here.

 

Afghan Cycles, Directed by Sarah Menzies, WSFF 2018

why crowdfunding

My mission is to expand the festival from a local event to a global movement that showcases existing films about female athletes, facilitates the creation of more films and supports the next generation of female athletes and filmmakers.

Given the enthusiasm I've seen in San Francisco for an event dedicated to these stories, I want to take the Women Sports Film Festival to audiences everywhere. I am raising money on iFundWomen to launch a 12-city Roadshow of short films and community gatherings to rally and connect athletes, filmmakers and audiences in local communities.

Your support will be used to pay well-deserved licensing fees to independent filmmakers, creating a new source of income that helps make their careers sustainable. It will also allow us to pay our all-female and non-binary team of designers, developers and creatives who will make this new initiative a reality.

The Roadshow creates a new, ongoing revenue stream that adds to our overall financial sustainability and helps move us from start-up to a more established business.

 

Papercut illustration, Anna Brones, Artist, WSFF 2019

 

the founder

I am a big fan of crowdfunding and have backed many campaigns over the years. Common to everything I have supported was my belief in the creative idea at the heart of the project and my desire to see it exist in the world. Whether in person or from a distance, I hope you'll join us in creating the movement that female athletes and filmmakers deserve.

 

 

how you can join our movement

contribute: By supporting this campaign you are joining a community of people that love women's sports and powerful storytelling. 

share: Do you know a person, organization or team that would love to be involved in bringing the Roadshow to their community? Tell them about our campaign and share this page. 

join us: Sign up for our newsletter and follow us on social media (instagram, twitter, facebook, vimeo, flickr)

Featured Video Cover Image 📷 FIBA Allow Hijab, Futbolistas4Life, Little Miss Sumo, T-Rex, Quincy 

thank you!

 

FUND THIS CAMPAIGN & GET ADIDAS CREATORS CLUB POINTS

Everyone wins when you support women who reimagine sport. 

Help us fund their projects and earn Creators Club points. 

Not a Creators Club member? Sign up here 

By funding this campaign, you agree to the Terms of Use associated with the Reimagine Sport Contest.

Creators Club members based in the United States will be rewarded with points according to contribution amount through March 22nd:

 $1-25: 250 points, $26-50: 500 points, $51-99: 750 points, $100+: 1000 points.

Updates

The Campaign FAQs

 

 

 

Laurie Schultz
10/01/2020
"All the Things" Reward Bundle
$250
Susan Sullivan
08/03/2020
Monetary Contribution
$5
Cat Cowey
04/28/2020
Send a Girl to the Festival
$100
Kim Woozy
04/23/2020
Monetary Contribution
$30
04/17/2020
Send a Girl to the Festival
$100
04/17/2020
Send a Girl to the Festival
$100
04/17/2020
Papercut Postcards
$30
04/15/2020
VIP Experience WSFF2020
$500
Amy Lazore
04/11/2020
Monetary Contribution
$20
Judd Ehrlich
04/11/2020
Letterpress Print
$50
Monetary Contribution

Every dollar is appreciated and will be used to launch WSFF REWIND: A Virtual Film Festival this summer.  Thank you for your support! 

📷 Keepers of the Game, WSFF16

 

10 Supporters
Select this reward
20.00 USD
Digital Bundle

This reward includes a digital download of the documentary film, It Ain't Pretty about the challenges and triumphs of female big wave surfers, directed by Soul. You'll also receive our exclusive coloring book in PDF with images of the women who won gold medals at the 2016 Rio Olympics, created by award-winning illustrator, Wendy Fox.

📷 It Ain't Pretty, Community Screening, March 2018

 

99 Left
1 Supporter
Select this reward
30.00 USD
Papercut Postcards

Enjoy this set of postcards featuring original papercut illustrations by artist Anna Brones. Commissioned in honor of the athletes and films at WSFF19. Set of eight postcards, 4.25x5.5"

 

99 Left
1 Supporter
Select this reward
50.00 USD
Letterpress Print

Campaign Exclusive. Proudly display this letterpress print of papercut illustration by artist Anna Brones. Commissioned in honor of the USWNT and Time's Up. 8x10" Printed on 100 lb. Superfine Eggshell Cover. Printed by Girlie Press in Seattle, Washington.

96 Left
4 Supporters
Select this reward
250.00 USD
"All the Things" Reward Bundle

Can't pick just one?  This bundle is for you. You will receive the Digital Bundle, Papercut Postcards and Letterpress Print, plus a Women Sports Film Festival tote bag. Your contribution will also support our Young FIlmmakers & Athletes Scholarship program to provide free access to the virtual film festival.

📷 Cracking Ice Ceilings, WSFF19

99 Left
1 Supporter
Select this reward
500.00 USD
VIP Experience: WSFF REWIND

Enjoy the ultimate VIP experience from the comfort of your home. Includes two All-Access Virtual Festival Passes, curated gift bag of WSFF merchandise and sponsor products and a sneak peek at the official WSFF REWIND 2020 trailer before public release.

📷 Equal Footing, WSFF16

18 Left
2 Supporters
Select this reward
1,000.00 USD
Sponsor a Screening at WSFF REWIND

Sponsor a film screening in the WSFF REWIND program.  Your name and/or organizational logo will be listed on the film page. Includes five All-Access Virtual Festival passes.

📷 Shivani, WSFF17

 

 

9 Left
1 Supporter
Select this reward
2,500.00 USD
Sponsor WSFF REWIND

Now more than ever it serves to lead by example.  Signal your support for women and girls by sponsoring WSFF REWIND: A Virtual Film Festival

Want to chat before you press "contribute"? Email [email protected] to learn more.

📷 Luchadora, WSFF16

11 Left
1 Supporter
Select this reward
50.00 USD
adidas Running app 12-Month Membership

Get a one-year premium membership for the adidas Running app.

With this exclusive membership, you will have access to dynamic training plans, easy-to-read stats & tracking, weekly fitness reports, personal record badges, and premium support from the adidas Running team!

 

25 Left
0 Supporters
Select this reward
10.00 USD
USWNT v BRAZIL Tix // game cancelled :-(

Game cancelled due to COVID-19 ll Enter for a chance to win two tickets to the USWNT international friendly soccer match, USA v Brazil on April 14, 2020 at Avaya Stadium, San Jose, CA.

Value: $500 No resale. Winner announced on April 1, 2020

📷 Women's Sports Trust/Getty Images, 2016

4 Supporters
Select this reward

About the Entrepreneur

San francisco, CA
Created 1 Campaign
Modern Media

Rewards

Monetary Contribution

Every dollar is appreciated and will be used to launch WSFF REWIND: A Virtual Film Festival this summer.  Thank you for your support! 

📷 Keepers of the Game, WSFF16

 

10 Supporters
Select this reward
20.00 USD
Digital Bundle

This reward includes a digital download of the documentary film, It Ain't Pretty about the challenges and triumphs of female big wave surfers, directed by Soul. You'll also receive our exclusive coloring book in PDF with images of the women who won gold medals at the 2016 Rio Olympics, created by award-winning illustrator, Wendy Fox.

📷 It Ain't Pretty, Community Screening, March 2018

 

99 Left
1 Supporter
Select this reward
30.00 USD
Papercut Postcards

Enjoy this set of postcards featuring original papercut illustrations by artist Anna Brones. Commissioned in honor of the athletes and films at WSFF19. Set of eight postcards, 4.25x5.5"

 

99 Left
1 Supporter
Select this reward
50.00 USD
Letterpress Print

Campaign Exclusive. Proudly display this letterpress print of papercut illustration by artist Anna Brones. Commissioned in honor of the USWNT and Time's Up. 8x10" Printed on 100 lb. Superfine Eggshell Cover. Printed by Girlie Press in Seattle, Washington.

96 Left
4 Supporters
Select this reward
250.00 USD
"All the Things" Reward Bundle

Can't pick just one?  This bundle is for you. You will receive the Digital Bundle, Papercut Postcards and Letterpress Print, plus a Women Sports Film Festival tote bag. Your contribution will also support our Young FIlmmakers & Athletes Scholarship program to provide free access to the virtual film festival.

📷 Cracking Ice Ceilings, WSFF19

99 Left
1 Supporter
Select this reward
500.00 USD
VIP Experience: WSFF REWIND

Enjoy the ultimate VIP experience from the comfort of your home. Includes two All-Access Virtual Festival Passes, curated gift bag of WSFF merchandise and sponsor products and a sneak peek at the official WSFF REWIND 2020 trailer before public release.

📷 Equal Footing, WSFF16

18 Left
2 Supporters
Select this reward
1,000.00 USD
Sponsor a Screening at WSFF REWIND

Sponsor a film screening in the WSFF REWIND program.  Your name and/or organizational logo will be listed on the film page. Includes five All-Access Virtual Festival passes.

📷 Shivani, WSFF17

 

 

9 Left
1 Supporter
Select this reward
2,500.00 USD
Sponsor WSFF REWIND

Now more than ever it serves to lead by example.  Signal your support for women and girls by sponsoring WSFF REWIND: A Virtual Film Festival

Want to chat before you press "contribute"? Email [email protected] to learn more.

📷 Luchadora, WSFF16

11 Left
1 Supporter
Select this reward
50.00 USD
adidas Running app 12-Month Membership

Get a one-year premium membership for the adidas Running app.

With this exclusive membership, you will have access to dynamic training plans, easy-to-read stats & tracking, weekly fitness reports, personal record badges, and premium support from the adidas Running team!

 

25 Left
0 Supporters
Select this reward
10.00 USD
USWNT v BRAZIL Tix // game cancelled :-(

Game cancelled due to COVID-19 ll Enter for a chance to win two tickets to the USWNT international friendly soccer match, USA v Brazil on April 14, 2020 at Avaya Stadium, San Jose, CA.

Value: $500 No resale. Winner announced on April 1, 2020

📷 Women's Sports Trust/Getty Images, 2016

4 Supporters
Select this reward