Screening includes a Q&A with the director and is scheduled for 7 p.m. Saturday, February 15, at FireHouse Arts & Events Center in Fairhaven (1314 Harris St., Bellingham)
In observance of Black History Month, CASCADIA International Women’s Film Festival has scheduled a screening of “Breaking Boundaries” a film highlighting the life of black Olympic gymnast Nastasya Generalova.
As a black Californian teenager, Nastasya was raised by her single white Russian mother, Olga who enrolled Nastasya in rhythmic gymnastics when she was four years old as a way for her to connect to Olga's homeland.
This film looks at Nastasya's personal journey of expression as the only black girl in Team USA, as well as her relationship with her mother in the stressful lead up to Tokyo Olympics qualification. The audience is invited into Nastasya's world to experience what it feels like to be the only black girl in the building.
CASCADIA is screening this 76-minute documentary directed by Dina Burlis in celebration of Black History Month. Burlis will join us for a Q&A with audience members after the film.
This special screening is made possible, in part, with a grant from the Washington State Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts. Watch the trailer here: https://bit.ly/3WxQ2sG. Tickets are $12 and available here: https://bit.ly/3E6uPQx.
About CASCADIA
Now entering its ninth year, CASCADIA showcases and celebrates exceptional films directed by women. It is one of only a handful of festivals in the U.S. currently dedicated to this purpose. The organization also works year-round to provide film production, exhibition, and distribution education. Since its first festival eight years ago, CASCADIA has presented films by more than 125 women directors from around the world and more than half of the films shown at their 2021 were made by women of color.
Our 2025 festival is scheduled April 24-27 in-person at The Pickford Film Center (1318 Bay St. Bellingham). Our online festival is May 1-11. More information is on our website at www.cascadiafilmfest.org.
