The popular St. John's Women's International Film Festival will celebrate its 21st opening night this evening (Tuesday, October 26) with local filmmaker Barbara Doran's documentary Still Rowdy After All These Years , a portrait of internationally-acclaimed actor, and provincial icon, Gordon Pinsent. The event begins at 8:00 p.m.

The Honourable Terry French, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, will attend the opening of the festival, which will feature 74 films from filmmakers representing 11 countries throughout the globe.

"The Provincial Government is a proud supporter of this highly-acclaimed festival, which has become a magnet for talented female filmmakers and film-lovers everywhere," said Minister French. "It is an excellent opportunity to highlight our filmmaking community, our capital city, and for festival organizers to host a series of workshops, watch some terrific films, and generally inspire and learn from each other in a creative environment."

Budget 2010: The Right Investments — For Our Children, And Our Future has allocated $60,000 in operational support for the festival through the 2010 Cultural Economic Development Program (CEDP), and an additional $52,623 through the Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment's Job Creation Partnership (JCP) program.

"Through the JCP program, we are pleased to support the St. John's Women's International Film Festival and provide five individuals with an opportunity to learn new skills in an emerging sector of our economy," said the Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment. "This festival is an incredible example of how individuals partner to deliver a very successful showcase of local, national and international talent. Support from the Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment has provided for the hiring of an event coordinator, volunteer coordinator, guest-hospitality coordinator, social media and online marketing coordinator, and an assistant technical coordinator — all of whom will help ensure this event is a resounding success once again this year."

"The festival is grateful to the Provincial Government for its ongoing support, without which we'd be unable to showcase Newfoundland and Labrador's phenomenally-talented artists and filmmakers," said Noreen Golfman, Chair of the St. John's International Women's Film Festival. "The province's cultural plan, Creative Newfoundland and Labrador , well appreciates our contributions to the community, and we, in turn, enjoy a healthy partnership with them as we endorse their mission."

For a detailed listing of the festival's scheduled screenings and events, visit: www.womensfilmfestival.com.

The 2010 CEDP is providing $1.2 million in operational and project support to the professional arts sector, and about $1.3 million to the heritage sector, for a total of almost $2.5 million. CEDP projects are selected based on the strength of the business plans, vision and potential for development within the sector. For more information on the CEDP program and application guidelines, visit: www.tcr.gov.nl.ca/tcr/artsculture/cedp/index.html.