2010's Female Eye Film Festival runs March 24– 28 and will screen films by both emerging and established women directors.  

This year, the FeFF launches its 'Female Eye – An Intimate Conversation With The Best in The Biz' series, with a tribute to Catherine Hardwicke who most recently directed Twilight, the first film in the Twilight Saga. Hardwicke will also be the first foreign recipient of the 'Female Eye Honourary Director Award' which, in the past, has gone to directors like Patricia Rozema and Deepa Mehta.

"...As a storyteller, Catherine Hardwicke is drawn to emotion-driven, often edgy material. Her ability to portray the subtleties of teenage life brings realism to both her independent and commercial films..."

She debuted as a feature film writer/director with Thirteen, a graphic look at the lives of teens as they discover drugs, sex, and petty crime. She went on to direct Lords of Dogtown starring Heath Ledger. She's currently developing Red Riding Hood, a gothic retelling of the Brothers Grimm story, based on an idea by actor Leonardo DiCaprio and screenwriter David Leslie Johnson (Orphan) who will transform the Red Riding Hood story into a dark and frightening vision of the classic fairy tale.

The tribute to Hardwicke will be moderated by Carol Whiteman President & CEO, Creative Women Workshops Association and Producer of Canada’s Women In the Director’s Chair program.

"The rise of Catherine’s directing star starting with Thirteen, The Nativity and Lords of Dogtown, not to mention the tsunamic impact of Twilight, make her an absolutely inspiring Honourary Director for this year’s Festival," said Whiteman.

“Thank you, Female Eye Film Festival, for honouring me with this award," said Hardwicke. "It's such a privilege to be a part of a festival that recognizes what all the women filmmakers around the world have to offer. Looking forward to chilling with my northern sisters!”

Established in 2001, Female Eye is Ontario’s only festival highlighting films directed by women.  The Festival will also offer a selection of films, panel discussions, workshops, a Script Development Program, Script Readings and galas.

The Catherine Hardwicke tribute will take place on Sunday, March 28th from 12:00- 2:00 PM at the Novotel Toronto Centre (45 The Esplanade).

For ticket and screening info, visit the festival's official website.