A Decade of Women's Voices: Highlights from the 10th Annual Reel Women’s Film Festival Benefiting Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest

Palm Springs, CA - In a remarkable celebration commemorating a decade of women filmmakers and storytellers who champion reproductive health and rights – the Reel Women’s Film Festival, benefiting Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest (PPPSW), took place on Sunday, November 12, 2023 at the Palm Springs Cultural Center. Steadfast patrons of access to critical, high-quality sexual and reproductive health care came together to raise funds at this full-day film festival, which was Chaired by Eileen Stern and the dedicated Festival Committee. The evening was a resounding success – replete with seven films and a panel conversation on ‘Transgender Health & Today’, with a closing keynote by Heather Booth.

Now in its 10th year, patrons had the option to experience the Reel Women’s Film Festival in-person and online, with encore screenings available November 13-19. The festival has become a much-anticipated opportunity to raise critical funds for local programs and services for communities across Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest’s vast tri-county region – including the communities of San Diego, Riverside, and Imperial Counties. 

The festival featured a powerful lineup of independent films that entertained and inspired. The panel discussion on ‘Transgender Health & Today’ featured Thomi Clinton, CEO of The Transgender Health and Wellness Center, and Ethan Lopez, support group Manager for Trans and Gender nonconforming patients in Colorado. The festival has become an arena for diverse voices and a platform to examine crucial social causes. Indeed, Sunday’s festival showcased seven movies that highlighted the struggles and triumphs of women from around the world. 

The Reel Women’s Film Festival is an engaging opportunity for Planned Parenthood supporters in the region to come together and support access to critical and high-quality reproductive health care. In light of the overturning of Roe v. Wade, and the critical role California plays in serving out-of-state patients, the care that PPPSW provides is more important than ever. 

For 60 years, PPPSW has provided broad public access to sexual and reproductive health services, education, and advocacy. Last year, more than 120,000 patients visited these centers to access a wide range of services, including cervical and breast cancer screening, contraception, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases, gender-affirming hormone care, PEP and PrEP to reduce the risk of HIV infection, abortion care, health information, and more.

As the festival looks forward to the future, the organizers are determined to continue their support of women in film and reproductive rights, and have reinforced their commitment to increased access to reproductive health for all. For more information, on this or any future Reel Women’s Film Festivals, visit planned.org/rwff. 

Statement from Darrah DiGiorgio Johnson, President & CEO of Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest:

“The Reel Women's Film Festival plays an important role in supporting Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest’s programs and services, bridging advocacy for high-quality and compassionate sexual and reproductive health care, and the arts. The 10th Annual Reel Women's Film Festival is not only an opportunity to raise money for important services, it has become a platform to talk about the struggles and triumphs of women from around the world, and from our very own communities. We thank this year’s chair Eileen Stern, and the dedicated organizing Festival Committee for putting together a wonderful program and raising funds for critical services for our communities.”

###

Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides confidential, affordable, and high-quality medical services to the San Diego, Riverside, and Imperial counties at our 19 health centers. Founded over 50 years ago, our mission is to ensure broad public access to reproductive health care through direct service, education, and advocacy.
For more information visit planned.org. 

To download video and photos of Planned Parenthood Health Centers, click here.