[KHTS] – The second annual “Lunafest,” hosted by the Zonta Club of Santa Clarita Valley, attracted more than 260 women to the Canyon Theatre Guild in downtown Newhall to raise funds for the Breast Cancer Fund and philanthropic work by the Zonta Club Foundation of SCV.

The sold-out event featured admission to film screening and a pre-screening reception featuring hors d’oeuvres from Stonefire restaurant, Michael David wine, Dolce Gusto coffees with wine infused cupcakes and Reyes Winery dessert wines and coffee at intermission.

Each attendee left with a swag bag of goodies that included discounts and gift items from businesses throughout the SCV.

Event chairwoman and Zonta Club of SCV president-elect Karen Maleck-Whiteley said the “Lunafest” event has proved to be popular.

“We are thrilled we sold out this event, in fact we are more than sold out,” she said.

The centerpiece of the event was a screening of nine short films by women filmmakers.

“These are fun films by and about women,” Maleck-Whiteley said. “It’s a good selection of films this year.

“Lunafest” was established in 2000 by Luna, the makers of a nutrition bar for women. The traveling film festival is used by nonprofit organizations as a “fundraiser-in-a-box.”

The event has grown to include more than 150 communities nationwide with 100 percent of the proceeds donated to charity.

The Breast Cancer Fund will receive 15 percent from event proceeds with the rest benefiting the programs of the Zonta Club Foundation of SCV.

Programs of the Zonta Club Foundation of SCV include: Girls Robotics program, LifeForward workshops and the Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Program. Annual grants include: Virginia Wrage Grant, which provides funds to women who are experiencing a life altering change in their life; Community Service Grants allocated through a competitive application process, and provide financial support to SCV agencies and organizations that support Zonta’s mission. In the past three years Single Mother’s Outreach, Boys and Girls Club of SCV, Domestic Violence Center of SCV, Santa Clarita Child and Family Center, SCV Food Pantry, Circle of Hope, SCV Committee on Aging, Carousel Ranch and the SCV Youth Project have received support. Annual scholarships include Young Women in Public Affairs and the Klausman Women in Business scholarships.

Guests to “Lunafest” viewed nine short films which included:

“Date with Fate,” “First Match,” “Flying Anne,” “Granny’s Got Game,” “Maria of Many,” “Running Dry,” “Sidewalk,” “Sound Shadows” and “Tiny Miny Magic.”

The 2014 collection of films had a decidedly international flavor and included animated films. Each filmmaker included in “Lunafest” receives a $1,000 award.

Laura Peckham, Zonta Club of SCV president, said the purpose of the film festival is to “promote awareness of women’s issues and highlight female filmmakers.”

City Councilman TimBen Boydston, executive director of the Canyon Theatre Guild, said the Guild was pleased to host the fundraiser.

“I think ‘Lunafest’ is an incredible event,” said Boydston.

The Zonta Club of SCV is a member club of Zonta International, a global organization of executive and professional women working together to advance the status of women worldwide through service and advocacy. Zonta International claims 30,000 members belonging to more than 1,200 Zonta Clubs in 66 countries and geographic areas.

The Zonta Club of SCV hosts monthly meetings held the second Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m., at the Hilton Gardens Inn, on the Old Road in Valencia, on the corner of Magic Mountain Parkway.

For more information about the Zonta Club of SCV visit www.scvzonta.com.

For more information about “Lunafest” visit www.lunafest.org.