As the founder of Bella Composers, I am delighted to be curating the music side of Artemis. As the feature entertainment for the 4th Edition last spring, I was inspired beyond my imagination when I witnessed the strong women and men who supported this burgeoning film festival. It started in 2015 and has screened many hidden jewels that just needed an audience to breathe life into them. So many submissions from around the world included narrative features, shorts, documentaries, dramas, a ton of action, and more. I was entertained the day I attended the screenings. Such incredible filmmaking and storytelling, all which stayed true to the mission: Strong women characters, empowered women, and physically strong women, too. Many stunt women, action heroines and heroes, and veteran women filmmakers were honored at the annual awards gala in Beverly Hills. the list of past honorees is staggering, but to name a few: Tom Cruise, Mellissa McCarthy, Michelle Rodriguez, Zoë Bell, Ming-Na Wen, Debbie Evans, Rosemary Rodriguez, and so many more. Go to artemisfilmfestival.com and hover over awards on the menu for a complete list of awards and honorees dating back to 2015.
Artemis founder/director Melanie Wise expressed her desire to include music. She always believed it was an integral part of film.
“I’ve been aware of music in film for years and it just makes sense to include music in the festival. Strip music out of any movie and you’ll have a lesser film.” –Melanie Wise
And I have always felt similarly, which explains why my formal education focused so heavily on western composition, ethnomusicology, and film scoring. The other face of this competition is performance. Women led bands are just as underserved as female composers. Please read the press release about Bella Composers partnering with Artemis and read what the pop artist Pink had to say on the subject!
With the support of Artemis, we can make a difference for women musicians and composers everywhere. If you are a woman who is either a musician, composer and/or leads a band, you will want to be a part of this timely movement. Enter your music or your band today by visiting artemisfilmfestival.com/submissions.
I hope to meet you at the festival on April 25, 2019, at the Ahrya Fine Arts Theater in Beverly Hills!
Sincerely,
Kaylene Peoples
Please read our frequently asked questions (FAQ) about Artemis Submissions.
The Artemis Women In Action Film Festival (AWIAFF) has opened submissions for women composers, songwriters, and women led bands. The fast growing festival started in 2015 and has since extended honors to Melissa McCarthy, Tom Cruise, Michelle Rodriguez, and others. During the AWIAFF Fourth Edition, Bella Composers featured two women: Scorewriter 
“I’ve been aware of music in film for years and it just makes sense to include music in the festival. Strip music out of any movie and you’ll have a lesser film.” –Melanie Wise, Artemis Founder
Evidenced by the blaring shutout of women winning awards at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards, held in January 2018, only 18 awards went out to women or women-led bands. Recording Academy president Neil Portnow stated after the ceremony that it was the responsibility of women to “step up” if they wanted to achieve success in the music industry. In response to Neil Portnow’s statement, Pink stated, “Women in music don’t need to “step up.” Women have been stepping up since the beginning of time. Stepping up, and also stepping aside . . . When we celebrate and honor the talent and accomplishments of women, and how much women step up every year, against all odds, we show the next generation of women and girls and boys and men what it means to be equal.”
Bella Composers (
