Excerpts of this post originally published at Bitch Flicks.

“We are proud to announce such a robust lineup for this year’s Festival. The variety of films and filmmakers at the festival this year exemplifies the increasing presence of female leaders in the industry.”

“The balanced mix of films represents the breadth and depth of the Festival’s mission. Each year we strive to select films that inspire filmmakers and industry members. This year’s slate is our strongest yet and continues to convey this focus.”

So which films am I most looking forward to see?? WONDER WOMEN! The Untold Story of American Superheroines (documentary on depictions of powerful women in film and pop culture),  Birth Story (documentary about midwives on a 70s commune), Future Weather (film about a teenaged girl raised by her functioning alcoholic grandmother), Inocente (Oscar-nominated documentary about a 15-year-old homeless, undocumented immigrant aspiring to be an artist), The Girl (film about a single mother smuggles undocumented immigrants over the Texas border) and Women Aren’t Funny (documentary about women in comedy). Athena Film Fest will also be showing (which I’ve seen) Brave, Middle of Nowhere and Beasts of the Southern Wild — all outstanding and powerful films.

With only 5% of women directing films, female writers comprising 24% of all writers in Hollywood and women in only 33% of speaking roles in films, women’s experiences and perspectives are often missing. Women don’t just sit on the sidelines. They lead, advocate and inspire. The films featured at the Athena Film Fest celebrate women’s diverse lives yet their common goal to catalyze change.

Purchase tickets and passes here. | See line-up of narrative films, documentaries, short films and panels here.