The Federal Women's Film Program (FWFP) was created in 1980 by the Canadian government as a partnership of federal ministries and agencies to create and distribute films about the status of women. Studio D handled the administration of it in both French and English. Its creation was an attempt to address the “swelling demand for women-centered films and filmmaking opportunities”, as many female freelancers were becoming increasingly frustrated with the dozen staff members employed by Studio D who had the privilege of permanent positions. In 1987, the program was revived by executive producer Rina Fraticelli and was charged with “producing shorter, basic information films dealing with issues of immediate concern to Canadian women, including

domestic violence Domestic violence (also known as domestic abuse or family violence) is violence or other abuse that occurs in a domestic setting, such as in a marriage or cohabitation. ''Domestic violence'' is often used as a synonym for ''intimate partner ...

reproductive choice Reproductive rights are legal rights and freedoms relating to human reproduction, reproduction and reproductive health that vary amongst countries around the world. The World Health Organization defines reproductive rights as follows: Reproduct ...

, career choice,

health care Health care or healthcare is the improvement of health via the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, amelioration or cure of disease, illness, injury, and other physical and mental impairments in people. Health care is delivered by health profe ...

, and aging”. A goal of the program was to direct more of Studio D's funds towards creative endeavours instead of being limited by distribution and other logistical details. The FWFP was associated with Studio D, but not part of its formal budgetary structure. Studio D provided leadership and personnel in developing FWFP, as well as sharing its physical space with the program. The National Film Board of Canada ( NFB) matched funds provided by other federal departments to produce films related to women's issues. Some were internal training films, while others were related to important messages of each department's own goals.The Federal Women’s Film Program. (1993). ''The power of film exploring issues of equality and justice for women'' amphlet Montreal, QC. * Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada *

Public Service Commission of Canada The Public Service Commission of Canada (PSC; french: Commission de la fonction publique du Canada) is an independent government agency that safeguards merit-based hiring, non-partisanship, representativeness of Canada's diversity, and the use of b ...

* Status of Women Canada *

Environment Canada Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC; french: Environnement et Changement climatique Canada),Environment and Climate Change Canada is the applied title under the Federal Identity Program; the legal title is Department of the Environment ( ...

* Justice Canada *

Health Canada Health Canada (HC; french: Santé Canada, SC)Health Canada is the applied title under the Federal Identity Program; the legal title is Department of Health (). is the Structure of the Canadian federal government#Departments, with subsidiary unit ...

- Seniors Secretariat - Family Violence - Prevention Division - Family and Child Health Programs * Human Resources and Labour Canada - Women's Program - Status of Disabled Persons Secretariat - Women's Bureau - Employment of Equity Branch * Ministry of Public Security * Industry and Science Canada - Entrepreneurship and Small Business Office - Federal Business Development Bank - Federal Office of Regional Development (Quebec)

Significance

Throughout the 1980s, the FWFP made a variety of films, including '' Not a Love Story: A Film About Pornography,'' an award-winning documentary on

pornography Pornography (often shortened to porn or porno) is the portrayal of sexual subject matter for the exclusive purpose of sexual arousal. Primarily intended for adults,

and the sex trade. Other FWFP films have discussed nontraditional employment for women, employment for Indigenous women, and employment for disabled women. In 1986, the FWFP funded a film training project through Studio D, extending its mandate to provide training for women filmmakers.

Themes

Themes covered by the FWFP productions are vast and varied, though the program's mandate was to ensure the production of timely films that reflected women's perspectives on current issues facing women and society. Some of the films focused on issues faced by young people as they assumed increasingly adult responsibilities. Issues explored included representation of women in the fields of math and science, the effects of violence in media on young consumers, and the challenges of unemployment. These documentaries were recommended for secondary school students and were accompanied by interactive guides for classroom participation. Other themes of FWFP productions included domestic abuse and services available to victims and tributes to Indigenous women.

Filmography

Stand-alone films

*''Attention: Women at Work!'', 1983. Directed by Anne Henderson, produced by Margaret Pettigrew. 28 min. *''Head Start: Meeting the Computer Challenge'', 1984. Directed and produced by Diane Beaudry. 27 min. *''Doctor, Lawyer, Indian Chief'', 1986. Directed by Carole Geddes, produced by Barbara Janes. 29 min. *''The Impossible Takes a Little Longer'', 1986. Directed by Anne Henderson, produced by Barbara Janes. 46 min. *''No Time to Stop'' ,1990. Directed by Helene Klodawsky, produced by Chantal Bowen. 29 min.

Series

* (International Youth Year Training Program) Co-produced by Micheline Le Guillou and Gerry Rogers. **''Beyond Memory'', 1986. Directed by Louise Lamarre. 14 min. **''Children of War'', 1986. Directed by Premika Ratnam. 25 min. **''First Take Double Take'', 1986. Directed by Paula Fairfield. 9 min. **''Thin Dreams'', 1986. Directed by Susie Mah. 21 min. *''Next Step'' series. Directed by Tina Horne, co-produced by Gerry Rogers and Tina Horne. **''Moving On'', 1986. 28 min. **''A Safe Distance'', 1986. 28 min. **''Sylvie's Story'', 1986. 28 min. *''Gathering Strength series.'' **''In Her Chosen Field'', 1989. Directed by Barbara Evans, produced by Chantal Bowen. 28 min. **''A Time to Reap'', 1989. Directed by Dagmar Teufel, produced by Chantal Bowen. 28 min. *''Elder Women'' series. Produced by Chantal Bowen. **''The Power of Time'', 1989. Directed by Liette Aubin. 29 min. **''Pills Unlimited'', 1990. Directed by Sylvie Van Brabant. 29 min. **''When the Day Comes'', 1991. Directed by Sharon McGowan. 29 min. *''Women and Work'' series. Produced by Chantal Bowen. **''A Balancing Act'', 1992. Directed by Helena Cynamon. 24 min. **''The Glass Ceiling'', 1992. Directed by Sophie Bissonnette, 28 min. **''Careers to Discover'', 1993. Directed by Ginette Pellerin. 24 min. **''A Web Not a Ladder'', 1993. Directed by Bonnie Dickie. 24 min.

Selected film synopses

Enough is Enough (1996), directed by Nicole Giguere Alternate Route (1997), directed by Denise Withers Taking Charge (1996), directed by Claudette Jaiko

Awards and honours

* ''The Impossible Takes a Little Longer'' (1987): Medikinale/International Medical and Scientific Film Festival - Prix Leonardo, Honourable Mention. Parma, Italy.