San Diego Women’s Film Network debuts July 19

ArcLight Cinemas and San Diego Filmmakers have joined forces to establish the San Diego Women’s Film Network, a new forum to support, inspire, and educate women working in the entertainment industry or looking to wedge a foot in the door.

The kick-off event, billed as a “special evening of content specifically designed for industry women,” will be held at ArcLight Westfield UTC on Tuesday, July 19. Doors open at 5 p.m., with programming beginning at 6 p.m.

Krista Vernoff was just announced as the keynote speaker for the event. Ms. Vernoff acted as executive producer and head writer on Grey’s Anatomy, seasons 2-7, for which she took home Golden Globe and Writer’s Guild of America awards. She is currently a writer and executive producer on Showtime’s Shameless.

Panelists include Stephanie Caleb, President of Creative Affairs for Cinelou Films/Cinelou Releasing; Linda Brown, Emmy-winning cinematographer; Brent Altomare, founder of Groovy Like a Movie Studios; Jodi Cilley, founder and president of Film Consortium San Diego; Carly Starr Brullo Niles, founder of Love Machine Films; Katayoun A. Marciano, writer/producer; Jazmin Borad, Director of Programs for The Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media; and Emmy-winning producer and the San Diego Film Festival’s executive and artistic director, Tonya Mantooth. The panels will be moderated by Lisa Remillard, morning anchor for KUSI’s Good Morning San Diego and NBC 7 News Today anchor Marianne Kushi.

Gretchen McCourt, ArcLight’s executive vice president, said, “It is important to discuss how the film industry is impacted by women filmmakers, especially in the San Diego region. The launch of this network is a golden opportunity for aspiring filmmakers to learn more about challenges faced by women in entertainment and how women can collaborate within the industry to make cinematic history.”

Tickets run $25 and are available via ArcLight Cinemas.