Abstract
The singular premise of the Women Over Fifty Film Festival is to champion the work of women over 50, who must feature either as a central subject on screen or as writer, director, or producer in order for a film to qualify. In an era marked by activist movements such as #metoo, and with shifting global demographics characterised by ageing populations, WOFFF has thus emerged as a crucial space for interrogating and highlighting the work of older women in film just as the cultural landscape demands it most. Since its launch in Brighton, UK, in 2015 by founder Nuala O’Sullivan, WOFFF has supported the work of hundreds of older women subjects from around the world. Its mission aims both to shine a light on the ageism and sexism faced by women in the industry, and to cultivate ‘inclusive spaces to watch films together’ in which ‘conversations between generations of women can help make older and younger women feel less isolated and [more] connected’ (wofff.co.uk, nd). Channelling this spirit of facilitating and cherishing critical cultural dialogue, in this chapter Deborah Jermyn (academic advisor to WOFFF since 2017) interviews O’Sullivan to chronicle and preserve the landmark history of WOFFF.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Women, Ageing and the Screen Industries |
| Subtitle of host publication | Falling Off a Cliff? |
| Editors | Susan Liddy |
| Publisher | Palgrave Macmillan |
| Chapter | 12 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 3031183843 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9783031183843 |
| Publication status | Published - 12 Feb 2023 |
Keywords
- Screen Industries
- Gender
- Ageing