Agenda has sponsored the Artemis Women In Action Film Festival (AWIAFF) for two years now. What’s special about our involvement is we get a glimpse of what goes into making of this incredible event successful, and discovered that it is a massive undertaking! Going into its sixth year, Artemis is in the fantastic position of being the film festival that focuses on strong women physically, in action, and strong women characters onscreen. Agenda is proud to report that Artemis powerfully and positively spreads the good news. This year, they added women-powered music, sponsored by Bella Composers.

The festival is headed by founder/director Melanie Wise and co-founder Zac Baldwin, who have their plate full with a staggering number of entries from around the world. We witnessed just how daunting their job is. How does one choose what will screen when the level of films (and now music) is so high? This is a fierce competition, folks. At this very moment, there are filmmakers who are preparing to enter movies that fit Artemis’ STRONG FEMALE narrative! And thank you Melanie and Zac for pioneering a movement that not only recognizes, but honors stuntwomen!

The collector’s issue 2019, titled “Artemis Women Kick Ass!,” features Artemis honorees Jeannie Epper, Daniela Ruah, and Dot-Marie Jones on the cover. On page 8, we get right into the meat of AWIAFF 2019 with a detailed recap of the four-day event, filled with non-stop screenings, panels, and more! In this collector’s issue, a big spotlight is put on AGENDA’s beauty editor Shahada Karim, titled Habibi Body Sport: Food, Fitness, & Fabulous Skin. What an honor it was to interview the legendary Jeannie Epper, who is best known for Lynda Carter’s stunt double for the TV series Wonder Woman. Other in-depth interviews are with stuntwomen Lisa Hoyle and Crystal Michelle. Sheryl Aronson interviews Daniela Ruah; and courtesy of Artemis, we have transcripts of Mercedes Mason’s introduction, followed by Ruah’s inspiring acceptance speech. Hip-hop artist Jass Bianchi is the winner for Best Artist (USA) from Artemis’ first music competition; she gives a compelling interview.

After seeing the movie RAG DOLL, Kaylene Peoples interviews actress/producer Dot-Marie Jones, actress/producer Shannon Murray, and actress Roxana Sanchez. Dawn L. Wakefield writes a great review of the Woman Powered Music Panel, Sponsored by Bella Composers. Read the closing interview with director April Wright of the much talked about feature documentary STUNTWOMEN: THE UNTOLD HOLLYWOOD STORY. It promises to change your perception of the movie industry and stuntwomen.

You can’t help but to be inspired by the stories inside these pages. If you have your own story to tell, enter your film or music in 2020! The Artemis Women In Action Film Festival Fifth Edition, presented by director/producer Paul Feig (THE HEAT, GHOSTBUSTERS), was held on April 25–April 28, 2019, at the Aryha Fine Arts Theater in Beverly Hills and the Monica Film Center (Laemmle) in Santa Monica. Chase Masterson (STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE 9 and the Pop Culture Hero Coalition) hosted the Artemis Awards Gala and led the panel WONDER WOMEN: The Real Life Justice League. During the Artemis Awards Gala, Kaylene Peoples performed her version of “Take Five” with her band and music director Bunny Brunel (Grammy artist/bassist). Artemis Music winner and Rapper Jass Bianchi opened the show with her incredible performance of her winning song “One of the Boys.”

Our hat’s off to the AWIAFF 2019 sponsors: Paul Feig, Agenda Magazine, Bella Composers, Action Factory, Santa Monica Audi, Final Draft, SANTA MONICA DAILY PRESS, Actors Guru, New York Film Academy, Entertainment Partners, Women In Film, The Chimaera Project, Habibi Sport, InkTip, Asis Financial, Asis Entertainment Insurance, Matt’s Marketing and PR, Pop Culture Hero Coalition, CURATOR Magazine, AXTionWear, Backstage, Array Entertainment, ARGONAUT NEWS, and Complete Production Group Hollywood. We’ll see you inside!

Purchase the Collector’s Issue: https://www.agendamag.com/product/agenda-collectors-issue-2019-artemis-women-kick-ass-2/

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