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Lunafest will benefit SAVIS by spotlighting women by John Bkila Oakville Beaver Staff 21 | Wednesday, April 17, 2013 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com When Sexual Assault and Violence Intervention Services (SAVIS) of Halton was looking for a new annual fundraiser, Lunafest was the perfect fit. Lunafest is a travelling film festival that features female filmmakers. It was established in 2000 by Luna, which manufactures the Whole Nutrition Bar for Women, but this year will be first time SAVIS has hosted it. "It's a wonderful opportunity and it really fits into our agency," said Kathryn Baker-Reed, SAVIS executive director. "The films are about women, and they're very diverse -- it can include issues of violence against women, health issues, relationships; so it fits very closely with who our primary clients are. This is a really good connection for us." The non-profit SAVIS offers free support and counselling to women and men, over age 16, who are survivors of abuse. "Our focus is around providing services to survivors of violence," Baker-Reed said. "We really needed a fundraiser that was self-contained and they (Lunafest) make it really easy for us to put it on with a small staffed team." Called a "fundraiser in a box," the Luna company covers all the costs for printed materials and supplies the films, so there is no cost to the agency hosting the event. Baker-Reed says the film festival, which will feature nine short films selected from hundreds across North America, is a new way to hold a fundraiser for SAVIS and people are already excited about it. Lunafest differs from other festivals because it's specifically focused on women's stories, she said. "That might be an aspect of some other film festivals, but this is the focus for Lunafest. It's quite unique," she said. "In addition, the Luna company has done something we couldn't do on our own -- they have a reach that we would never have across North America." SAVIS has also secured the rights to host Lunafest events annually throughout Halton at a different venue each year -- the first will be in Oakville at Holy Trinity Secondary School, 2420 Sixth Line, May 2. "The wonderful thing about Lunafest is every year it will feature new films, so it will always be a different event every time," said Baker-Reed. All nine short films will be screened starting at 7 p.m. with an intermission -- the evening is expected to run approximately two hours. There will also be information booths at the event. Though the film festival is by and about women, Baker-Reed says the event is intended for women, men and youths. "The idea is just to come out and have a night with friends and family to enjoy some great films for a great cause," she said. Ticketscost$25and$10forseniorsandstudents, and can be purchased by contacting Valerie at 905825-3622, e-mail at savis@savisofhalton.org or at SAVIS headquarters, 1515 Rebecca St., suite 227, on the second floor of Hopedale Mall -- tickets will also be sold at the door. Fifteen per cent of proceeds will go to the Breast Cancer Fund, while the other 75 per cent will support SAVIS programs and services. Since its inception, Lunafest has raised more than $456,000 for the Breast Cancer Fund and more than $785,000 for other women's nonprofit organizations. To view trailers for this year's short films, visit www.lunafest.org. SAVE $2 WHEN YOU BUY ANY TWO PREMIÈRE FOURNÉE® BREADS Get your coupon at www.save.ca facebook.com/savedotca is a division of