Local Film Returns from United Nations and Screens at Images Cinema

It began in 2005 as a home schooling project for 4 local 11-year-old girls, and now the film, "Heroic Girlz," has been screened before an international audience at the United Nations Commission Conference on the Status of Women. Images Cinema in Williamstown, MA will present a benefit screening of “Heroic Girlz” on Sunday, April 19th, 2:00 PM, to raise funds to help this award-winning educational project reach audiences throughout the world.

The Images screening will also include "Making History," a documentary about “Heroic Girlz” featuring psychiatrist SuEllen Hamkins, an expert in female adolescent development. There will be a Q & A with the filmmakers and a reception. Tickets are $10.

The film tells a compelling story of four modern-day 11-year-olds who take on the roles of Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Amelia Bloomer, Louisa May Alcott and Amelia Earhart. Meeting in the afterlife, the girls revisit and recount a formative moment in the 11-year-old life of each of the famed women.

"We wanted to acknowledge the girls' coming of age through the study of language, theater arts and social sciences," said filmmaker Cindy L. Parrish. "The girls heard the story of 11-year-old Harriet Tubman who discovered her purpose in life when she tried to prevent the capture of a runaway slave. Each girl then imagined herself as an historical woman hero at age 11."

According to Carolyn Hannan, Director of the UN Division for the Advancement of Women, ”Girls in any part of the world can be encouraged to choose women heroes from their own cultures and examine their lives as part of the process of self empowerment. “Heroic Girlz” also introduces girls in a very natural way to the issue of gender equality and the struggles and gains from the past.”

“Heroic Girlz” was written, directed and produced by Parrish, a playwright and English professor at the University at Albany. The film is based on the play, Heroic Girlz, directed by Meg Agnew, theater director and teaching artist. Parrish, Agnew, and Laura Yurko, an expressive arts practitioner, guided the girls in the writing, visual arts and theaters arts to create the play. Agnew and Parrish have also produced a curriculum guide.

"Heroic Girlz" stars Devyn Yurko, Elon Michaud, Thea Ezinga and Emma Parrish Post. The film received the 2007 Moondance International Festival Award for Best Children's Short.

Call 518-781-3005 for reservations or email cindyparrish@mac.com. “Heroic Girlz” is underwritten by the Brabson Educational Foundation with support from the Women's Interfaith Institute, and Friends of the Women’s Rights National Historical Park.