Happy Holidays!

And our Chica Luna family continues to grow--welcome to our newest board member, Michele Stephenson, an accomplished filmmaker who tackles human rights and race relations in her narrative and documentary work. Click here to meet her. Also, to our newest team of interns, Abril de los Santos, Genesis Abreu, Samantha Stanton and Katie Fitzsimmons--much appreciation for all the energy, work and spirit you've brought to our organization so far!

A word about the current financial woes: respect and love to all of you, all of us, who are figuring out ways to survive the crisis (which didn't just start this month, despite popular news reports). We appreciate all who continue to support our grassroots organization and we extend a hand to those of you who may have extra funds in this time; we need your help too! Our favorite quote these days is, "There is always opportunity--even in crisis." Make a tax-deductible donation to Chica Luna today and help women of color continue to have the facilities to tell "herstories."

We'd like to personally invite all of you to catch the screening of an independent film directed by someone dear to Chica Luna's heart--actor/comedian Victor Cruz. His piece, "La Operacion", addresses the sterilization of Puerto Rican women. You can catch this film, plus Q&A, drinks and food at the newly opened East Harlem Cafe on the corner of 104th & Lexington on Friday, December 12th at 7:30pm. Much love to Victor for showing that those who support the stories about the lives of women of color need to be told by all of us.
Sincerely,
The Women of Chica Luna

Re-Granting Opportunity Available for New York State Artists!
free103point9 is pleased to announce the 2009 Distribution Grant for New York State Artists providing support for the distribution of new works in film, video, sound, new-media, and media-installation. This grant is for completed works only.

Funding is available from free103point9 through a regrant from New York State Council on the Arts' Electronic Media and Film Program. Grant awards will assist artists in making works available to public audiences and may include, but are not limited to: duplication of previews, screening, and exhibition copies of moving image and sound works; promotional materials including documentation and schematics of media-installation and new-media works. The rental or purchase of equipment for exhibition/distribution by individual artists is also eligible. Artists may request funding support up to a maximum amount of $10,000. New to the Distribution Grant this year, successful applicants will also be awarded the additional opportunity to work with a project consultant. This mentor will have expertise in the grantees' specific genre of media art. Application Deadline: December 31, 2008

Call for Entries: Media That Matters Documentary Film Festival
Submit here for the chance to be one of the final twelve jury-selected films and become part of our outreach and distribution efforts to create social change through film. Following a New York City Premiere, an Awards Ceremony and industry networking events in June 2009, your film will take part in the Media That Matters international, multi-platform campaign with DVD distribution, broadcasts, streaming and hundreds of screenings across the globe! Arts Engine will create accompanying discussion guides and screening materials to promote conversation and encourage educators, activists and organizations alike to take action around your film. All finalists will be awarded $1000 to assist in future filmmaking efforts. Deadline: ALL materials must be postmarked by: January 9th, 2009.