For those who, like myself, missed last month's inaugural Reel Women International Film Festival held in Los Angeles, you might want to bookmark a spot on your calendar for next year's event. The festival was established "...to honor and advance the careers of accomplished and emerging female filmmakers by providing a forum for them to showcase their work to industry decision makers, as well as Southern California's film going audience." With support from groups like AFI, Kodak and Women Make Movies, among many others (including indieWIRE) RWIFF is living up to it's lofty goals.

Perhaps some of this year's participants or attendees will chime in with their festival experiences. For now, I'll skip forward to samples from this years winner's list to give you a feel for the fare. Check out the festival website for more info and a complete winners list. With any luck, I will see you at the fest next year...

Best feature was awarded to Coming Up Easy written & directed by Rebecca Rodriguez

Best Documentary went to Gayle Ferraro who captured griping reality in Ganges River to Heaven

Best Short went to Within The Wall written & directed by Paula Newman

Best Animation winner was Gayatri Roa for the endearing story of Raju & I

Rae Shaw received a Kodak product grant for Best student film Soap & Roses