The International Women's Film Festival is in full swing, with titles from N.L. and beyond

For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemicbegan , the St. John's International Women's Festival is back with a full slate of in-person screenings, industry workshops, a little red carpet and a lot of schmoozing.

Director Ruth Lawrence, whose film Party Pirate launched the annual festival Tuesday at a gala screening at the refurbished Majestic Theatre in downtown St. John's, said she was thrilled to move beyond the virtual screenings that helped keepthe festival running in recent years.

"This was a more direct way of getting audience response," said Lawrence, whose son Luke Lawrence wrote the screenplay.

"Obviously with a comedy, we really needed that."

The festival, which concludes Saturday, is featuring other premieres, includingBlack Barbie, The Queen of My Dreams andBackspot.

Festival executive director Jenn Brown saidthis year has been surreal thus far.

"I think that we're finally at that point to say, 'Great, what's next?' And let's plan, and be happy, and excited about that, instead of, you know, the pandemic world that we've been living in,"Brown told CBC News.

"The clouds have parted and we're here and it's a really exciting time. Our film industry has grown so much. What's next?"

Thedocumentary Black Barbie, a film by U.S. filmmaker Lagueria Davis that tells the story of longtime Mattel employee Beulah Mae Mitchell, debuted Wednesday.

The film is described on the SJIWFF website as a "richly archival, thought-provoking story that gives voice to Mitchell and other Black women affected by Barbie as they explore their complex and varied experience of the impact of Black Barbie's transformative arrival."

Thursday's feature film was Backspot, the story of a young, ambitious cheerleader struggling with anxiety. The star and co-producerof the film is queer Indigenousartist Devery Jacobs, known for her role onReservation Dogs.

Friday evening has two more Canadian feature films premiering: Coven and Days of Happiness.

SJIWFF will roll on through the weekend, with more films, artist panels, consultation meetings with industry leaders and networking events. The closing gala features screenings of The Queen of My Dreams and Poster Child.

It will end witha wrap party on Saturday evening hosted by St. John's drag artistEda Kumquat,with performances by R&B artistThandi Marieand a dance party delivered byDJ Hearnia.

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