West Reading Avenues Fall 2021 - 35

As more new endeavors transpire, Harris is enthusiastic about
several additions to the four-day program, including LUNAFEST,
an in-person student assembly with a celebrity guest speaker, a
filmmakers' workshop and an outdoor art exhibit.
LUNAFEST, Thursday, Sept. 30
The American Association of University Women-Reading, PA
Branch, presents LUNAFEST as part of Reading FilmFEST
and will play seven compelling short films by lauded women
filmmakers at R/C Reading Movies 11 & IMAX theater. Doors
open at 6 p.m. with films starting at 7 p.m. followed by a postfilm
discussion.
Films range from animation to documentary to fictional
drama and cover topics such as women's health, body image,
relationships, cultural diversity and breaking barriers.
Tickets are $15, including a movie snack bag, and are available
for purchase through the film festival or AAUW. Proceeds from
the event will benefit AAUW and Chicken & Egg Pictures, a
nonprofit that provides mentorship and critical financial support
to women nonfiction filmmakers.
Award-winning actor J.W. Cortés,
Friday, Oct. 1
J.W. Cortés, who played Detective Carlos Alvarez on the hit
TV show " Gotham " for five seasons while fulfilling a real-life
role as a New York City MTA officer, will speak in person at
a student assembly open to Berks County schools.
He is also a veteran, serving in the Marines, including a
deployment to Iraq. Cortés will speak about his experiences
in the film industry and of his personal life, including growing
up in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, with inspiring Puerto Rican parents,
serving in the military, his passion for acting and singing, and
the importance of volunteerism.
" Reading FilmFEST is grateful for the opportunity to have J.W.
Cortés engage with our youth about film as he is an inspiration
to our future filmmakers. A special thank you is warranted to
Reading Mayor Eddie Morán for reaching out on our behalf
and making this connection possible, " Harris said.
Filmmakers' Workshop, Friday, Oct. 1
In conjunction with Film StartUP, the film festival is offering a
three-hour course to filmmakers. The filmmakers' workshop will
be held in person and on Zoom from 1-4 p.m. at the Boscov
Theatre at the GoggleWorks Center for the Arts. The course will
guide filmmakers on what it means to go through development,
visitwestreading.org 33
package a feature film, and raise financing. Participants will
also have the opportunity to pitch their projects during the
last portion of the class and ask questions to the group for
guidance and support. The cost is $75, and reservations are
made online at http://readingfilmfest.com/readingfilmfestcourse/.
Reading FilmFEST is also offering a scholarship for
the workshop. More info to be finalized in the coming weeks,
but visit the film festival's website for how to apply.
Outdoor Art Exhibit, Saturday, Oct. 2
In a partnership with the Reading Arts Collective to promote
diversity in the arts culture, the film festival is planning an art
exhibit highlighting minority and women visual artists. From
12-5 p.m., the public is invited to attend the outdoor art exhibit
held in the parking lot of the GoggleWorks Center for the
Arts. Admission is free. The event will also feature art pieces
for sale, live demonstrations, a fashion show, music, dance and
food trucks.
Reading FilmFEST would also like to thank all of this year's sponsors
and community partners: the GoggleWorks Center for the Arts, Visions
Federal Credit Union, Alvernia University O'Pake Institute for Economic
Development and Entrepreneurship, R/C Reading Movies 11 & IMAX
theater, Berks County Community Foundation, Hoffmann Publishing
Group, and Berks Community Action Program.
http://www.readingfilmfest.com/readingfilmfest http://www.visitwestreading.org
West Reading Avenues Fall 2021

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