We hope you’re enjoying Women’s History Month by celebrating some amazing women creatives. There are so many of them worth praising. Yet, we highlight a few women filmmakers who deserve your attention and applause.
Alison Duke, a Toronto-based producer-director, is part of a team developing a comedy series that could be the next “Schitt’s Creek,” the celebrated Canadian sitcom turned breakout hit.
Duke is co-producing “Detox,” a half-hour comedy created by Roberta Marie Munroe, a friend of Itsashort who has produced and/or directed over 30 award-winning shorts and multiple features for companies like AT&T, the United Nations (UNFPA), and Fox Searchlight. Munroe is CEO of the LA-based production services company Captivated Artist Productions, Inc.
Detox centers on a character whose mission is to dismantle toxic masculinity.
Late last year, the government-backed Canadian Creative Accelerator nominated Duke and Munroe’s group, along with five others, to receive access to financing and mentorship from Los Angeles-based advisors.
The hope is that they and the other nominees will sell their shows in the U.S. and – fingers crossed – find Schitt’s Creek-like success.
What’s more, five of the six shows, including Duke and Munroe’s, have a Black, Indigenous or Person of Color as the producer, director, writer, lead actor, or a combination of all those elements, according to Deadline.
“This class proves that the pool of Canadian creative talent is deep and diverse and ready to extend the run of great shows coming out of Canada…,” said Canadian Consul General Zaib Shaikh.
We are rooting for Alison, Roberta, and their whole squad!
This Short That Revels in Womanhood Will Captivate You
Speaking of women creatives, itsashort.com is proud to feature a critically-acclaimed short film titled “Veiled Tractate,” directed by Layne Marie Williams. In the film, a protagonist named Hummer is seduced by a mannequin head into a washing machine (yes, you read that right). She then undergoes a bold and sensual exploration of different identities through dance and movement.
We think this is a captivating short, which captures the spirit of Women’s History Month. And we are not alone. Timeout Chicago called Veiled Tractate “a mesmerizing journey into the feminine mystique.”
Nevertheless, we are proud to premiere Veiled Tractate on our platform, starting March 20. All you need to do is head to itsashort.com/veiledtractate to buy a ticket and watch!
Save-The-Date: FirstGlance Fridays
Get your popcorn ready! Starting April 9, our partners at FirstGlance will be premiering an award-winning short film on Itsashort.com. “FirstGlance Fridays” will include a virtual online Watch Party followed by a Live Q&A with the selected film’s directors and cast.
The first film to be spotlighted is the spectacular, critically-acclaimed short “The Bird Who Could Fly,” a soul-stirring immigrant story about a man who tries to save his brothers’ lives while finding his own.
Getting an invite to this party is simple, just visit itsashort.com/festivals/51-firstglance-fridays.
You’re welcome.