PRESS RELEASE
Media Contact | Coronado Island Film Festival
info@coronadofilm.com
619.778.0848
The Coronado Island Film Festival (CIFF) and the Geena Davis Institute of Gender in
Media (GDIGM) at Mount St. Mary’s University, are proud to announce a formal alliance
and partnership focused on a shared mission of inclusion, diversity and gender
representation in media. Founded in 2004 by Academy Award-Winning actor Geena
Davis, GDIGM is the only research-based organization working collaboratively within
the entertainment industry to create gender balance, foster inclusion and reduce
negative stereotyping in family entertainment media.
The partnership will officially launch with a panel hosted by GDIGM entitled Engaged
As We Age: Changing the Script on Ageing, as part of their ongoing See Jane Salon
series on November 16th at 9:00 am (PST). The event coincides with this year’s annual
film festival and will be exclusive to See Jane members and CIFF donors, supporters
and festival pass holders. This important and relevant topic is making headlines, as the
media continues to combat stereotypes and negative portrayals of older adults in
television and film. In real life, this inaccurate portrayal has significant power and
influence over how aging Americans are perceived in the workplace. The expert panel
will discuss these important questions and present the Institute’s new report, in
partnership with the Swedish-based company TENA, that evaluates how the aging
population in Germany, France, the UK and the US is represented in top films.
The partnership with GDIGM will also establish San Diego as the latest region to have
representation on the esteemed Institute’s council, with CIFF executive director,
Merridee Book and festival founder, Doug St. Denis recognized as Co-Council Leads.
“We’re excited to join forces with Coronado Island Film Festival. We know there is a
strong, vibrant media and film community south of LA, and San Diego County is the
perfect location for our Institute’s expansion,” states Madeline Di Nonno, CEO of
GDIGM, “We look forward to the key alignment of our core mission with Merridee and
the CIFF team!”
“Geena Davis has truly impacted how women and minorities in media and film are
portrayed through her research and data-driven results in a way that no other
organization or individual has previously achieved,” states Book, “The opportunity to
partner with the Institute is a huge honor for us, and we look forward to introducing
GDIGM to San Diego and hosting events during our annual film festival, as well as year-
round, that will continue to educate and challenge the status quo!”
The Coronado Island Film Festival is being held virtually this year on November 11-15,
2020 kicking off on Veteran’s Day, followed by the Opening Night screening of
NOMADLAND, starring Academy Award-winning actress Frances McDormand, at the
South Bay Drive-in on Thursday, November 12 at 7:30. Tickets are inclusive and are
per car-load. For more information or to purchase festival passes please visit the
website at www.coronadofilmfest.com.
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ABOUT THE CORONADO ISLAND FILM FESTIVAL [CIFF]
The Coronado Island Film Festival (CIFF) was established as a 501(c)(3) non-profit foundation in 2015 to bring the best in cinematic storytelling from the US and abroad under the auspices of a four-day festival dedicated to screening films from emerging and established filmmakers and studios. CIFF quickly established itself as a unique, walkable, destination film festival. Through screenings, Q & A’s, workshops, live performances, informative panels, celebrity tributes, and awards presented by juries of respected industry pros, the festival continues to attract filmmakers at every level of their craft, celebrities, and industry notables who come to experience the best of independent, studio and student films in an intimate and charming seaside location in Coronado, California.
ABOUT THE GEENA DAVIS INSTITUTE OF GENDER IN MEDIA [GDGIM]
Founded in 2004 by Academy Award-Winning actor Geena Davis, the Institute is the
only research-based organization working collaboratively within the entertainment
industry to create gender balance, foster inclusion and reduce negative stereotyping in
family entertainment media.
