A scene from “Category: Woman” the documentary directed by Phyllis Ellis that screens Friday,, April 28 at Whatcom Community College.
“Category: Woman” Screens at Whatcom Community College
CASCADIA and Whatcom Community College Foundation are co-sponsoring a special in person screening of “Category: Woman,” an official selection of the 2023 Festival on Friday, April 28 at 5:30 p.m. in Heiner Theatre. The screening is free of charge and open to the public as well as the WCC community. The film is an official selection of the 2023 festival and will otherwise only be available during the online festival, May 11-21.
The 76-minute documentary is directed by former Olympian Phyllis Ellis. It follows four women athletes forced out of competition by the International Amateur Athletics Federation (now World Athletics) when it ruled the athletes’ naturally high androgen levels were deemed a performance advantage. These regulations profile and target women athletes causing devastation to their bodies and livelihoods. But these four individuals are emboldened by a conviction to stand up against this violation of their human rights.
Elliis’ film exposes an industry controlled by men putting women’s lives at risk while this policing of women’s bodies in sport remains under the guise of fair play.
Director Ellis will Zoom in after the film for a Q&A with the audience conducted by Susan Lonac, WCC faculty professor of film.
Masks are encouraged at this special screening.