Girls Impact the World Global Chapter Launch - Screening

Event Description

Connecther Celebrates International Women’s Day, hosted by Elosie DeJoria and Elizabeth Avellan, with a Screening Event & Launch of the Girls Impact the World Global Chapters on March 6, 2016!  From Austin to Chennai to Kyrgyzstan - 30 GITW global chapters launch!

You won’t want to miss this inspiring evening to celebrate International Women’s Day & the Girls Impact the World Global Chapter Launch. We will screen short student films from the Girls Impact the World Film Festival—3- to 5-minute film about such subjects as the education of girls, redefining “beauty,” sex trafficking, and women and the environment. These films tell stories about girls and women that raise awareness and propose solutions, while providing young adult voices an outlet in a compelling medium.

Connecther will announce the launch of Girls Impact the World Global Chapters in communities around the world, from Chennai to London to Senegal. You will also hear from girls who have started their own Girls Impact the World chapters!

AUSTIN EVENT:

DATE:  SUNDAY, MARCH 6, 2016

TIME:  2:00 to 3:30 PM (doors open at 1:30 PM, please be prompt)

WHERE:  Stateside Theater, 719 Congress Ave., Austin, Texas

DRESS:  Smart Casual

Co-hosted by the University of Texas & St. Stephens GITW Chapters!

There are a limited number of Premier tickets at $50 (Seats are limited--Reserve your spot now!) Includes a private reception preceding the screening from 12:30 to 1:30 PM with spread of samosas, tabouli, humus, and other ethnic delights; tea bar featuring Sesapure special Chai.

Additional Questions?  Contact: info@connecther.org

SPEAKERS (More soon):

Elizabeth Avellan (Producer) is the Co-Owner and Vice President of Troublemaker Studios and President of EYA Productions.  Troublemaker’s first feature was the 2001 hit “Spy Kids.” In addition to producing family and genre films that have collectively grossed over a billion dollars, she has played a primary role in developing Austin, Texas as a thriving film community.

Avellán began her producing career when she co-founded Los Hooligans Productions in 1991 with Robert Rodriguez as the two began their feature film project, “El Mariachi.”   Her next project was co-producing the film’s 1995 sequel “Desperado.” She followed up with co-producing “From Dusk Till Dawn” as well as its successful home entertainment sequels.  She also produced “The Faculty.”

During the past decade, Avellán has produced a dozen films including “Once Upon a Time in Mexico,” “Spy Kids 2: Island of Lost Dreams,” “Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over,” “Sin City,” “The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl in 3-D,” “Grindhouse,” “Shorts,” “Predators,” and “Machete.”

Avellán has also executive produced several projects.  Most recently she served as EP on “blacktino,” a film directed by her son, Aaron Burns, that world premiered at the 2011 SXSW Film Festival, and “Secuestro Express,” a topical Venezuelan narrative about the dangerous trend of “express” kidnappings in her home country.  She also served as EP on the documentaries “The Truth in Terms of Beauty” and “In and Out of Focus.”

Avellán was born in Caracas, Venezuela, where her grandfather, Gonzalo Veloz, was the pioneer of commercial television. She is on the board of several organizations, including the University of Texas College of Communication Advisory Board, Capital Area Statues, which commissions unique statues for the capital city; the Texas Book Festival and the Austin Film Society.  The mother of six children, Avellán resides in Austin, Texas. 

Eloise DeJoria:  Eloise is a presenting sponsor and finalist judge for the Girls Impact the World Film Festival. In addition to being the spokesmodel for Paul Mitchell, Eloise uses her time and talents to help people lead healthy, fulfilled lives. She focuses her efforts on recovery programs, the arts and promoting the rights and well-being of women and girls

Eloise's dedication to leading and promoting healthy living has inspired her to create a feminine and uplifting activewear line. Eloise DeJoria's new brand focuses on premium fabrics and flattering silhouettes that also offer extended sun protection and support. Bright colors and floral prints reflect the natural beauty of her blooming gardens, a constant source of inspiration. Let Love Bloom by starting your commitment to happy and healthy living along with Eloise.

Alaa Murabit - At the young age of 15 Alaa Murabit completed high school and moved from Saskatoon, Canada to Zawia, Libya. It was there that she enrolled in medical school. Driven by her desire to create inclusive processes and institutions, she founded The Voice of Libyan Women (VLW) in 2011 at the age of 21. With a strong focus on challenging societal and cultural norms and utilizing traditional and historical role models Murabit champions women’s participation in security, peace processes and conflict mediation. Her programs, such as the groundbreaking “Noor Campaign” are replicated internationally.

A frequent key note speaker, Murabit was nicknamed “The Libyan Doogie Howser” by Jon Stewart and applauded by Oprah for her innovative approach to security. She acts as advisor to numerous international security boards, think tanks and organizations. Most recently she was nominated to the UN Security Council Resolution 1325 Global Advisory Board, UN Women Global Advisory Board and is a founding coalition member of Harvard University “Everywoman, Everywhere” initiative. In December 2015 she was appointed as a Keeping Children Safe Trustee.

The first Ashoka Fellow elected from Libya, Murabit is the youngest recipient of the Marisa Bellisario International Humanitarian Award by the Italian Government, was named “International Trust Women Hero 2014” by The New York Times & "One of 25 women under 25 to watch" by Newsweek. Most recently she was selected as a "100 Top Woman" by the BBC & the SAFE Global Hero.

Special Performance by the University of Texas A Cappella Group Beauties and the Beat!

Beauties and the Beat is an all-female a cappella group at the University of Texas at Austin. These ladies all possess a unique set of talents and ambitions, but have joined forces to empower girls and women by slaying the stage (and staying rooted in their community). Even though this group has only existed for 5 semesters, they have attended ICCA (Yes, the competition in Pitch Perfect!) twice now & have been chosen to perform at Deke Sharon's (the musical genius behind Pitch Perfect) Vocalosity concert in Austin this spring. Beauties always showcase their personality through performance, and can't wait to show you what they've got.

Several female run organizations will be selling products and/or tabling at the event including:

Raven + Lily was created to alleviate poverty among women. We currently help employ over 1,500 marginalized women at fair trade wages to give them access to a safe job, sustainable income, health care, education, and a real chance to break the cycle of poverty for themselves and their families. Raven + Lily is committed to providing beautiful and unique modern minimalist products that are made by hand, follow fair trade standards, and honor our eco-friendly commitment.

PARKING:

There is plenty of street parking on Sunday. If not, One American Center (diagonal from the theatre) allows our patrons to park in their garage for $8 per car.  They will be staffing the garage starting at 11:30 am.

MORE INFORMATION:

*Limited reserved seating $50 (Seats are limited--Reserve your spot now!) Includes a private reception preceding the screening from 12:30  to 1:30 PM with spread of samosas, tabouli, humus, and other ethnic delights; tea bar featuring Sesapure special Chai.

*General admission free for students and the public

You won’t want to miss this inspiring evening to celebrate International Women’s Day & the Girls Impact the World Global Chaper Launch. We will screen short student films from the Girls Impact the World Film Festival—3- to 5-minute film about such subjects as the education of girls, redefining “beauty,” sex trafficking, and women and the environment. These films tell stories about girls and women that raise awareness and propose solutions, while providing young adult voices an outlet in a compelling medium.

Connecther will announce the launch of Girls Impact the World Global Chapters in communities around the world, from Chennai to London to Senegal. You will also hear from girls who have started their own Girls Impact the World chapters!

STUDENTS who are interested in submitting films to next year's GITW Film Fest, you can get started now!  Deadline is January 20, 2017.