Women’s Program
The Santa Clarita International Film Festival believes in giving a voice to those who have been marginalized. As such we are proud to launch, as part of our 2024 season, a program to empower women filmmakers and creators.
The SCIFF Women’s Program will be a four-hour intensive with an itinerary as follows:
- Screening of a movie directed by a woman
- Filmmaker Q&A
- A panel of esteemed women who will talk about their journey in the industry
- Pitch session by 3 female students who will get feedback on their projects from the panel
MOVIE
SYNOPSIS
Every 100 years, a member of the Yayauqui family needs to sacrifice a human at the altar to prevent the end of the world. It’s Rita’s turn. To prevent the apocalypse, Rita must sacrifice a human at the secret altar in the Vertical Zone, where the monster lives. She doesn’t believe it; however, in need of money to get her daughter back, she accepts to do the mission for a TV stunt and adventure show.
Maryam Pirband
Maryam Pirband is a director/writer who makes character-based films that explore social justice issues. She is well-known for her films: Vertical, Dandelion Season, Dance with me, Silence, P6, and Fermysk.
She studied movie directing in Iran and continued her education to a Master’s Degree at California’s Azusa Pacific University. She is a PhD student at EGS in Philosophy, Visual Art & Critical Thought.
She began her filmmaking journey in Iran and worked in different countries, making award-winning films and TV Shows in different genres and languages. People know her as a gate opener for other women. She was the first professional female stunt in Iran; she is the first and only female action director in Iran and the only immigrant Iranian female filmmaker who made horror action feature films in the Spanish language.
She has been invited to different film festivals’ juries or the head of the jury panel worldwide. Her books “Triangle” and “Where Am I Standing” were published in 2016 and 2018.
PANEL
Lisa deSouza (MODERATOR)
After graduating from the prestigious boarding school, Deerfield Academy, Lisa moved to New York where she attended Columbia University. Always an artist at heart, Lisa’s practical side gave way to her independent spirit, and she enrolled in the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and The School for Film and Television.
While working in the fashion industry, she started her career as an actor in the off-Broadway theater scene of New York City. However, she soon learned that her passion (and strength) was in writing and directing.
After 25 productions… some of which won local awards… Lisa soon found herself drawn to a new medium, the internet.
Brandy Lopez
San Antonio native, Brandy Lopez, stands at the forefront of the Latino entertainment industry, as the Executive Producer and Host of the extremely popular program, Latin Fusion TV.
Latin Fusion TV reaches thousands of viewers each week, delivering artist interviews, entertainment news, information and heartwarming human interest stories to a worldwide audience. Latin Fusion TV is both spiritual and inspirational and highlights people not parties.
Cristina Nava
CRISTINA NAVA was born, raised, and currently lives in Los Angeles, California, She is an award-winning WGA screenwriter, award-winning director and a veteran producer of independent film and television content.
Her directorial debut, the feature film “Free Lunch” has been winning Best Feature and Best Director at festivals.
Jenniffer Margo Giron
Jenniffer Margo Giron graduated from UC Riverside with a major in Communications and Media and holds an Associate Degree in Film Studies. She began her career as a production assistant for Radical Media and Disney’s Take 180 and then spent nine years in fashion marketing. Returning to her passion for film, Jenniffer Margo transitioned to Film distribution,
Joy Parris
Joy Parris is a talent manager and film producer, renowned for her pivotal role as the founder and driving force behind Rich Girl Productions. With a career that spans over two decades, Joy is known for her dedication, innovative vision, and exceptional ability to nurture and elevate talent.
Joy’s journey in the entertainment world began with a solid academic foundation. She has a keen eye for talent, and meticulous attention to detail.
Nancy De Los Santos
Writer/Producer Nancy De Los Santos began her career in Chicago as Producer of Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel’s PBS film review program Sneak Previews. She joined the film critics when they took the show to commercial television. Under her tutelage, At The Movies was nominated for two national Emmy Awards. She also produced a number of entertainment documentaries for the ABC Chicago O&O, hosted by Mr. Ebert including Carnival At Cannes, Riviera Rendezvous, and Ebert’s Oscar Deadline.