IRISH WOMEN’S NETWORK
IWN Irish Woman of Year Award 2010
By SIOBHAN AIREY
Now that spring has taken a firm hold at last, members of the Irish Women’s Network are looking forward to the annual anniversary lunch on April 25 at 12 noon. It will be held at Hazelmere Golf Course at 18150 - 8th Avenue Surrey/White Rock (see www.hazelmere.com).
This is the occasion when the IWN 2010 Irish Woman of the Year will be announced, so book your place early as seating is limited and reservations are necessary.
Cost of the buffet lunch is $30 per person. Call Eilis at (604) 325-7560 or e-mail eilis@irishwomenbc.net to make a reservation. Make your cheque payable to Irish Women’s Network and mail to Eilis Courtney, #302 - 1445 Marpole Avenue, Vancouver, B.C. V6H 1S5.
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Irish film producer Ita Kane-Wilson
Originally hailing from near Letterfrack in Co. Galway and now resident in Vancouver for over five years, Ita Kane-Wilson makes her debut as one of the producers of a short film Sikat, a finalist in Crazy8s, Vancouver’s premier short film event.
Written and directed by television documentary maker Angelina Cantada, the film captures the sacrifices and life experiences of a Filipino woman caregiver to a family in Vancouver, far away from her husband and son in the Philippines. Their arrival in Vancouver, after many years apart, is at the heart of the film.
Shot over two days in New Westminster and UBC, this story is one of six finalists in the competition that attracted over 100 hopeful entries.
“It’s a very powerful story”, says Ita, “and the story was the reason why so many talented people volunteered to put this story on film.
“It highlights the experience of many women who come to Canada under the live-in caregiver program – most are from the Philippines. It can take up to five years before they can bring their families to Canada, so they’re forced to be apart from their families for years.”
An experienced independent radio producer and music manager, Ita’s move into film production was “really exciting. I was always interested in film, and this was a wonderful opportunity to get involved in a very hands-on way.”
Ita’s husband, composer and violinist, Cameron Wilson, who has also composed film scores for films including Citizen Sam, wrote the music for Sikat as well.
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