Hillary Bachelder grew up in Maine and was at MIFF in 2008 when her film was presented as part of the Maine Student Film Festival, and she has also been a MIFF volunteer. But no local connections are necessary for REPRESENT, her first feature, to represent Hillary’s filmmaking abilities. In the heart of the American Midwest, three women take on entrenched political systems in their fight to reshape local politics on their own terms. REPRESENT is equal parts personal and political, with candidates of different ages, races, income levels, systems of support, and political parties: Myya, 22, attempts to spark a youth movement and unseat the incumbent mayor of Detroit, MI; Bryn, 33, a farmer and working mother in Granville, OH, runs for township trustee, but, in doing so, is placed in opposition with the only woman currently elected; and Julie, 47, walks a tightrope between her identities as a Korean immigrant, woman of color, and Republican candidate for State Representative in a liberal Chicago suburb. Through the nuances of local politics, REPRESENT elevates both the systemic failings and unsung heroes at the heart of our “smallest” elections. With a most definite female-centric interest.

Sponsored by Karen Kusiak