Tickets are now available online for Lunafest 2016, a festival of short films meant to empower women, presented by Zonta Club of Santa Clarita Valley.

This year’s Lunafest offers a series of six short films showing on Thursday, April 28 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Canyon Theater Guild, located at 24242 Main Street in Newhall.

“These films will compel discussion, make you laugh, tug at your heartstrings and motivate you to make a difference in your community,” said event co-chair Laura Peckham Troost. “They are incredibly diverse in style and content.”

The showings include:  Balsa Wood, by Dominique Lecchi, a light-hearted slice of life about two mixed race siblings visiting their extended Filipino family for lunch;  Boxeadora, by  Meg Smaker of Oakland, Calif., telling how one woman defies Fidel Castro’s ban on female boxing to become Cuba’s first female boxer; First World Problems by Hanna Maylett, presenting a tired housewife who loses her car in a shopping mall and finds that her problems open a door to a new world; Beach Flags by Sarah Saidan about a young Iranian lifeguard, who is determined to participate in international competition in Australia; Finding June by Anna Schumacher of Los Angeles, Calif.,  as experienced through the eyes of a deaf woman just diagnosed with breast cancer; and Raising Ryland by Sara Feeley of Pasadena, Calif., providing an intimate look at parenting and journey inside the transgender experience as lived by a six year old boy.

Lunafest is a nationwide film festival which features short films by, for and about women. It was conceived by the creator of LUNA Bar, Kit Crawford.

Crawford was diagnosed with breast cancer, and throughout her fight, appreciated enormously the support she received from the Breast Cancer Fund.

Now a proud survivor in the fight against breast cancer, she wanted to give back to the Breast Cancer Fund while highlighting women’s issues and celebrating their strength.

Lunafest, established in 2000 by LUNA, makers of the Whole Nutrition Bar for Women, connects women, their stories and causes through film.

A portion of the proceeds from these films help support The Breast Cancer Fund, which is dedicated to eliminating the environmental causes of breast cancer affecting one in eight women. The remaining proceeds from this event are used to support Zonta Club’s programs and projects to improve the lives of women locally and on an international level.

Admission of $45 includes the film screening, pre-screening patio reception with appetizers supplied by Hidden Havana Café and one glass of wine and movie-type snacks.

Guests also will receive a swag bag loaded with gifts from local merchants and service providers.

Only electronic tickets are accepted at this year’s event, and they are available online.

Ed. Note: this article is a news release provided by the Zonta Club of Santa Clarita Valley.