Open the Door! Kansai Queer Film Festival 2011

The annual Kansai Queer Film Festival for 2011 is going to be held on September 17-19 at Hephall in Osaka and on October 21-23 at the University of Kyoto’s Nishibe Hall in Kyoto. This is the largest film festival in the Kansai region of western Japan, and aims to be a site for encountering the multiplicity of sexuality and love worldwide. The Kansai Film Festival is renowned for its diversity, and this year again the featured films encompass gay, lesbian, transgender, bisexual, and intersex themes.

In this its sixth year, the festival embraces the slogan, “Open the Door.” The schedule includes a total of twenty-nine films and twenty-five programs—some of which are free of charge—from Japan, Korea, Germany, France, Norway, Argentina, Spain, India, Canada, the US and the UK. Sixteen of the works are to be screened for the first time in Japan, and many more can only be viewed at this festival.

For more information, visit:

Kansai Queer Film Festival 2011

Original Article on the WAN website (August 29, 2011)

Translated and Adapted from the WAN website by Aya Kitamura

ART: The Donation of Vegetable for the Pregnant Woman in Fukushima

Mikako Tomotari, a sculptor in Kyushu, began a project, "The Donation of Vegetables for Pregnant Women in Fukushima." This sustainable project for disaster relief is designed to deliver fresh vegetables to pregnant women in the areas affected by the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plants. It is a system in which people purchase "donation cards" to donate money for purchasing and delivering fresh vegetables from Kyushu, which pregnant women in Fukushima can eat without worrying about the possible effects of radiation from the areas close to the power plants.  

Through her work, Tomotari (an assistant professor in the Department of Design at Kyushu University) has been working on themes of the environment, disability, the body, community, and violence of the nation.

Website for Donation of Vegetables for Pregnant Women in Fukushima (Japanese)

http://www.design.kyushu-u.ac.jp/~tomotari/fukuoka.elf.html   

Mikako Tomotari's website (Japanese) 

http://www.design.kyushu-u.ac.jp/~tomotari/frame.html
 

Original Article written by Megumi Kitahara on the WAN website (May 1, 2011)
Translated and adapted by Eiko Saeki

What's New - August 12, 2011

[Aug 11, 2011] BOOK: Challenging Ueno Chizuko, edited by Senda Yuki Eng J 
[Aug 9, 2011]  Issues on Nuclear Power Plants (11): Fukushima, seen by a documentary filmmaker (a notification of an event at the Chihiro Museum) J
[Aug 9, 2011]  Asuka's Childcare Leave Diary (5): A new world J

What is W-WAN?

Worldwide Women’s Action Network (W-WAN) is an English-language blog with articles selected and translated from the website of Women's Action Network (WAN), a Japanese non-profit organization. W-WAN aims to inform people worldwide of the activities and activism by and for women in Japan.

Women's Action Network consists of several subcategories including:


B-WAN (Bookstore)
It is an Internet Bookstore with books and DVDs catered to women’s interests. We introduce and recommend works through special articles to help you discover a different world.
Purchasing books and other products online through our B-WAN site that links to Amazon or its affiliates, not only gives you the usual purchase points, but part of the proceeds will go to support WAN’s activities.

A-WAN (Art Gallery)
We introduce a wide range of photos, fine arts, performances, stage plays, concerts, films, and other creative activities produced and conducted by women.

C-WAN (Cinema)
We introduce and give critics on movies and DVDs, introduce rare movies related to specific theme, and evaluate movies from all aspects.

Chizuko Ueno’s Web Office
The Chief Director of WAN, Chizuko Ueno, shares her thoughts in “Chizuko’s Blog”, provides information on her lecture schedule in “Chizuko’s Scheduler” and dates and application method for participating in her seminars in “Ueno Seminar”.

M-WAN (Marketplace)
We introduce products recommended for women by women and provide information on food products sold only through online order. Also introduces and sells handmade items and products made by women.

P-WAN (Connects Politics and Citizens)
We upload current news vital to women. We also connect citizens and organizations to suitable Dietwomen throughout the nation.

WAN Brochure Translated by M. Doioka
Posted by Aya Kitamura



WAN brochure update is available from:
http://net.wan.or.jp/now/files/2013/02/WAN_leaflet_eng_cover.pdf
http://net.wan.or.jp/now/files/2013/02/WAN_leaflet_eng.pdf

Posted by Shin Yamaaki