FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Toronto, ON:  In celebration of International Women’s Day, WIDC is pleased to collaborate with our colleagues at the Female Eye Film Festival to celebrate their 2021 Honorary Maverick, Patricia Rozema. The award is sponsored by Encore+ and was presented in a pre-recorded ceremony following a Best in the Biz Tribute interview.

In a special Encore+ Premiere on Monday, March 8 – International Women’s Day 2021 – filmmaker Patricia Rozema  is presented with the Female Eye Film Festival’s Honorary Maverick Award. Prior to her induction, Patricia Rozema was interviewed by Dr. Carol Whiteman, Co-creator & Producer, Women in the Director’s Chair (WIDC) to share insights about her prolific career, creative process and Maverick spirit.

A screening of Rozema’s acclaimed film, I’ve Heard The Mermaids Singing, winner of the 1987 Cannes Film Festival’s Best First Feature Award and ranked one of 150 essential works in Canadian cinema history by the Toronto International Film Festival in 2016 follows the award presentation. Viewers are able to ask questions virtually during the presentation thanks to the Encore+ Premiere feature.

“I am delighted that this year’s Honorary Maverick Award will be bestowed upon internationally acclaimed director Patricia Rozema via Encore+,” says Canada Media Fund CEO and President Valerie Creighton. “Encore+ is proud to support the 19th edition of the Female Eye Film Festival. Encore+ hosts dozens of iconic Canadian films directed by women and will this year serve as a digital showcase for the works selected for the 2021 edition of the festival,” Valerie Creighton says.

Visit: www.encoreplusmedia.ca where it will stream FREE from the homepage!
7 PM ET / 4 PM PT / 8:30 PM in Newfoundland! A YouTube Premiere link will also be available as of March 8, 2021.

Also celebrating IWD2021, the Vancouver International Women in Film Festival in collaboration with WIFT Canada Coalition, hosts a conversation with major government film and television funding agencies and organizations as we challenge ourselves—and the systems that support our film and television industry in Canada—to become more inclusive and representative.