(March 26, 2008 – Toronto, Ontario) -- The 2008 edition of the Female Eye Film Festival kicks-off tomorrow and runs until March 30th. In addition to a stellar line-up of films, this year’s festival also offers a series of panel discussions that is a “must attend” for dedicated film buffs and filmmakers alike.

The festival itself gets underway with a gala opening night screening of the new Kari Skogland film, The Stone Angel. Skogland, pictured above, will take part in all three panel discussions, which will be held at the Canada Square Cinemas, 2190 Yonge Street, in Toronto. Entry to the discussions is a remarkably low $5.00 per topic.

The first scheduled group will look at the topic of Book to Film – The Art of Adaptation. Skogland wrote the screenplay for The Stone Angel, which was adapted from the Margaret Laurence novel. Joining her will be Patricia Rozema, who wrote and directed films like Mansfield Park and I've Heard the Mermaids Singing; Jon Slan, an executive producer who has been nominated for several Gemini Awards and an Emmy Award; and author and screenwriter, Brad Smith, who recently gave us All Hat. The discussion will examine the process, the challenges and successes of adapting novels for the big screen. This discussion will be moderated by film critic, producer, writer and TV host, Christopher Heard.

The second discussion will look at The Status of Women Directors in Film and will be moderated by Actor and Producer, Paulina Abarca-Cantin. Panelists include: Carol Whiteman, who is President and CEO, Creative Women Workshops Association Producer, The Women In the Director's Chair Workshop, and two-time Governor General Award nominee. Kari Skogland, Judy Gladstone from Bravo!FACT, Filmmaker and Professor of Film and Screenwriting at California State University, Alexis Krasilovsky, and Heather Kanabe, Manager of Programming & Business Affairs at WIFT, This discussion will explore the state of women directors from various perspectives. The panelists will discuss past, present and future trends of women directors and address the hurdles they face in filmmaking.

The last discussion will take place on the closing day of the festival and run from 11AM to 12:30PM. Titled Director’s Panel Discussion, this group involves Female Eye Film Festival directors and will be moderated by Carol Whiteman, President and CEO, Creative Women Workshops Association Producer, The Women In the Director's Chair Workshop. Directors attending the closing session include, Kari Skogland, Alexis Krasilovsky, Alison Reid, Rohini Talalla, Elza Kephart and Sherry White. The discussion will illustrate the role of the director and will highlight the filmmaking journey as it relates to the particular filmmaker.

Another event that shouldn’t be missed is the Script Reading Series on Saturday, March 29th from 10AM to 5PM. Moderated by Mark Sanders, with Nika Rylski and Richard Klagsbrun, the plan is to have professional actors read and workshop various scripts written by specially-selected international screenwriters. The Script Reading Series will also be held at Canada Square Cinemas and again the cost of admission is only $5.00.

Look online at the Female Eye Film Festival website for more information on these events as well as the complete schedule of films. Northernstars.ca is the Online Media Sponsor for the festival. Other sponsors include Optix Digital Pictures, PCI Sony, Big Bark Graphics, The Women's Post, Directors Guild of Canada – Ontario, Writers Guild of Canada, The Backroom Agency, MD Media Inc., Bell ExpressVU, The Garo Group, Women In Film and Television, WARC Gallery, Days Hotel and Conference Centre Toronto Downtown, McClelland & Stewart, Final Draft, Steam Whistle, blogTO, Peridot Resto.Lounge, and Alleycatz.