NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Soroptimist International of Hutchinson is hosting LUNAFEST, a regular event returning for 2022.
"It will be back this Friday at the Hutchinson Fox Theatre," said Debra Teufel with the Soroptimist Club. "I have had the opportunity to preview the film series. If you haven't heard of LUNAFEST, it is a film series by women for women and diverse audiences. This year it is amazing. There are a diverse group of eight filmmakers that have brought really inspirational stories and everyone's going to enjoy it. We hope people will come out on Friday for it."
The stories cover a range of themes including work, family, natural disasters, and the power of friendship and creativity. Friday's LUNAFEST screening at the Fox is the only screening in Kansas outside the Kansas City area.
"Doors will open at the Fox at 6 p.m.," Teufel said. "Tickets are just $20. There will be some time to socialize and find your group and find your seats. Then at 7 p.m. the film series will kick off. This year, we also have a special feature. One of the filmmakers is going to be live streaming and having an opportunity for questions and answers about what inspired her to make the film she made."
Emily McAllister, director of the festival film Wearable Tracy will have the Q and A session. Complimentary wine (for 21 & over) or beverages, appetizers and desserts, will be served. It's a great opportunity for women 13 and older to come together for an evening of films that will make you think.
"It starts out with something that wouldn't surprise you, inspired by the pandemic," Teufel said. "Then it goes into stories of immigrants to our country and their experiences here and how they have felt as immigrants. I think it's just, if you haven't ever walked in those shoes, this is a good opportunity to walk in the shoes of someone with a different perspective. There's also a great story that will hit really close to home, a family that was impacted by a wildfire. It's really a story of a dad and his daughter and her coming home to see what had happened as a result of a wildfire in their community. I know that's going to hit home right here in Hutchinson."
Proceeds from LUNAFEST benefit women with extreme financial hardship in Reno County through the Soroptimist Emergency Fund and Chicken & Egg Pictures, a nonprofit organization that supports women filmmakers.