Menstruation for Beginners

Menstruation for Beginners (Recommended for ages 9-14)
Special Film Screening & Presentation for Young People

With short films made in the United States, India, Philippines and Slovakia, this program has been designed to provide young audiences with a kid-friendly period-positive global introduction to menstruation.

Shorts Series 1: Menstrual Management & Mishaps
87 min
A menstruating puppy eludes a young group of brothers; a self-taught mechanic designs a groundbreaking low-cost sanitary pad machine; and a young girl attempts to fast-track her way to womanhood through somewhat unconventional means. Enjoy this collection of unexpected and sometimes humorous short films about the fine art of managing menstruation.

Q&A with select directors.

Period: The End of Menstruation?
Giovanna Chesler, USA, 2005, 53 min, Documentary
As millions of women and girls take shots and pills to stop their periods, Period: The End of Menstruation? explores the cultural and medical side effects of menstrual suppression.

Preceded by
Vivian: A Period Piece
Aimee Dixon, USA, 2002, 23 min, Narrative
Erin struggles to balance her life between law school and her relationship. However, she is repeatedly interrupted and overwhelmed by a visit from her monthly friend, Vivian.

Q&A with Director Giovanna Chesler & Reception.

Art, Film & Menstruation
Art, film and menstruation gently collide to create this diverse artists’ journey into the world of menstruation. This program will begin with a screening of experimental video works, followed by a panel discussion with selected featured artists.

The program will include a live performance by Swedish menstrual performance troupe, Mensmagi (Menstrual Magic) and screening followed by Q&A with select directors and performers.

The Unmentionables Film Festival Vol. 1: Menstruation

(The Unmentionables Film Festival is an annual theme-based festival that will focus on a different “taboo” topic each year. The inaugural Unmentionables Film Festival invites audiences to participate in a public discourse and celebration of all things menstrual.)
 

All-Access Pass for The Unmentionables Film Festival ($95)
Save money, receive free festival swag, and ensure that you have priority seating to all festival screenings. Priority seating for pass holders will be held until 15 minutes before show time. Pass holders will also receive tickets for our Live Storytelling event at the Triad (Monday, June 15th @ The Triad) and our special screening of Water Children, which will include a live performance and discussion with film subject, concert pianist Tomoko Mukaiyama (Friday, June 19th @ University Settlement). For more information on the Special Events, visit: www.UnmentionablesFilmFestival.com

Red Tent Market Place
The Red Tent is traditionally a sacred place for women to gather and be supported by each other, as they experience menses and childbirth. Our Red Tent Marketplace will honor the essence of the Red Tent, by creating a celebratory community event that will explore the wondrous world of menstruation. All are invited and encouraged to peruse the marketplace, and interact with vendors, educators, healing practitioners, and organizations, who will offer information about menstrual-related products, practices, and services.

Global Perspectives on Menstruation
In this program, screen three short films will be followed by an informative, and likely revelatory, panel discussion. Meet some of the NGOs, grassroots community groups, filmmakers and entrepreneurs that are working towards solutions to help women around the globe manage their menstrual cycles in ways that are affordable, attainable, hygienic, and convenient.

The Stranger Within: Fibroid Stories
Directed by Roderick Giles & PaSean Wilson-Ashley, USA, 2015
(Screening an excerpt from this work-in-progress)
In The Stranger Within: Fibroid Stories, Beverly Johnson, Rhonda Ross, PaSean Wilson-Ashley, and other women share their personal fibroid stories. The film also explores the varied treatment options, and sheds light on the medical establishment’s practice of performing far too many unnecessary hysterectomies for fibroid tumors. This program will include a dynamic panel discussion with the film’s directors, Dr. Millicent Comrie, and Queen Afua.

EndoTruths: Infertility and Mental Health
Directed by Casey Berna, USA, 2015, 38 min
Endometriosis and Infertility each can be devastating in their own right. But, experiencing both at once, often leaves patients to suffer for years through misdiagnosis and mistreatment from the medical community. In EndoTruths, licensed Patient Counselor and Advocate, Casey Berna, profiles endometriosis patients who share their experiences with the disease. The film will be followed by a panel discussion with an informed and committed team of Endometriosis activists.