2nd Annual Women & Fashion FilmFest

NEW YORK, May 9, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Women & Fashion FilmFest (WFF) returns to New York City for its 2^nd edition. Part conference, part film festival, this 5-day event unites leaders in fashion, entertainment and media to empower women and girls, screen films by filmmakers and students, and features a fashion show of student designs.  WFF is partnering with LIM College, which will serve as the festival's main venue.

Leading up to the 2^nd Annual WFF is a roundtable discussion with Director James Belzer, Michael Paladino of LIM College, and Paul Van Ravenstein among others. The discussion takes place on May 12^th, 5.30pm, Bahr Che, 64 Cooper Square.

On June 3^rd Phillip Bloch hosts WFF's Red Carpet Opening Benefit at Gold Bar (289 Broome St., NYC). Starting at 6 pm, fashion designers will walk the red carpet with models in their designs. WFF will present its first Inspiration & Visionary Award to Sara Ziff, Founder of the Model Alliance. Honorary Hosts include Governor William Paterson, Catherine Malandrino, Stephen Burrows, Timothy Greenfield-Sanders, Nigel Barker, Supermodels Pat Cleveland, Sessilee Lopez, Grace Bol, Nykhor Paul and Candace Huffine.

WFF'14 panelists include former Vogue Editor-at-Large Andre Leon Talley, Sundance Productions President Lauren Michalychshyn, Vimeo President Dae Mellencamp, US Weekly Fashion Director Sasha Charnin Morrison, former Essence Editor-in-Chief Constance White, and Ovation Executive VP, Network Strategy Liz Janneman, discussing The Fashion Fund on Ovation. An Advance Preview Screening of Make it in America: Empowering Global Fashion, the latest documentary by James Belzer (The Tents) and premiere of The Civic Life Project's Human Trafficking made by high schools girls are among film highlights.

"In addition to our stellar lineup, I am excited about our new Girls Film Festival (GFF) and Girls Empowerment Fashion Runway (GEFR) aimed at inspiring girls and helping them develop skills and talents," said WFF Executive Director Jeanine Jeo-Hi Kim, recently named U.S. Chair of MARITAGE, a UNITED NATIONS affiliated platform focused on empowering women and creating opportunities for women artisans.

On June 6^th at LIM College (216 E45th St.), Sessilee Lopez, Nykhor Paul, Claudia Mason and Grace Bol will discuss their philanthropic work inspiring teenage girls to focus on leadership in society. On June 7^th at Yotel Hotel, GEFR, WFF concludes with educational workshops and a fashion show of designs by United Colors of Fashion, a nonprofit providing free fashion education to under-resourced youth.

Schedule/tickets: www.womenfashfilm.com. Festival passes: $120 (includes Closing Party, June 6^th 8.30pm with DJ Juli-Lee at Gold Bar), Students: $68. Red carpet tickets (tax deductible according to law): $250.  

Partners: LIM College, MARITAGE International, Ovation, Sony Creative Software, Makeup Forever, True Model Management, Sandi Bass International, Company Agenda, Runway The Real Way, Gold Bar, Sensation of House, Small Victory Press, United Colors of Fashion, Harmonia Holdings, Beau Monde Society, Lumiere Magazine, Brokenness, Black + Black, Bahr Che, Building Beats, FashionTVNetwork, E.L.F.Circle, Spark Summit, The Civic Life Project, ScenariosUSA, FashionOne, United Nations Association Film Festival

SOURCE Women & Fashion FilmFest