360 | 365 emerged from the Rochester/High Falls International Film Festival, which focused a spotlight on the contributions of women behind the camera. Created in 2001, the Festival was one of only 40 film festivals worldwide that celebrated the work of women filmmakers. Programming was led by Artistic Director, Catherine Wyler, and Co-Programmer, Ruth Cowing.
Previous guests of the Festival included Lynn Redgrave, Rita Moreno, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Bill Pullman Christine Lahti, Angela Bassett, Robert Forster, Candice Bergen, Joan Allen, Gordy Hoffman, Jane Alexander, Famke Janssen, Sally Kellerman, voice-over actress Nancy “Bart Simpson” Cartwright, producer Lauren Shuler Donner, and Shrek director Vicky Jenson.
In September 2009, the Festival became a part of 360 | 365. The expanded mission of the new organization includes the contributions of women filmmakers and goes well beyond that theme to embrace a wider array of films representing a diverse filmmaking community. The new 360 | 365 George Eastman House Film Festival invites all filmmakers and all audiences to share in the celebration of new and cutting edge motion picture art.
The Susan B. Anthony “Failure is Impossible” Award goes to a woman in the film industry who has persevered in her career and triumphed over difficulties. (Read about the recipient’s pin and the artist who created it here.) Past honorees include:
- 2009: Actors Lynn Redgrave and CCH Pounder
- 2008: Actor Rita Moreno
- 2006: Director Agnieszka Holland; actors Shirley Knight and Famke Janssen; producer Lauren Shuler Donner
- 2005: Actors Christine Lahti, Angela Bassett and Diane Ladd; producer Norma Heyman and screenwriter Naomi Foner Gyllenhaal
- 2004: Actors Joan Allen and Sally Kellerman; publicist Lois Smith
- 2003: Actor Celeste Holm
- 2002: Actor Lainie Kazan
- 2001: Actor Pam Grier
The Faith Hubley “Web of Life” Award, named after its first recipient, honors a woman who understands the power of art in connecting with an audience and in making the world a better place. Past honorees include:
- 2005: Jane Alexander, actor
- 2004: Mira Nair, filmmaker
- 2003: Jeannie Epper, stuntwoman
- 2002: Nancy “the voice of Bart Simpson” Cartwright
- 2001: Faith Hubley, animator
The Elizabeth Cady Stanton “Thorn in the Side” Award, honors women who exemplify the collaborative nature of film and video. The award is named in honor of Stanton, who said: “If there is one part of my life which gives me more intense satisfaction than another, it is my friendship with Susan B. Anthony… we have indeed been thorns in the side of each other…”Past honorees include:
- 2009: Debra Zimmerman
- 2008: Estela Bravo, director
- 2006: Stella Pence, (retired) Co-Director, Telluride Film Festival
Audience Choice Awardees:
Festival audiences chose Best Feature, Best Documentary and Best Short. Past Audience Award winners include:
2009:
- Best Feature: SKIN
- Best Documentary: SIGNS OF THE TIME
- Best Short: JULIE, JULIE
2008:
- Best Feature: PHOEBE IN WONDERLAND
- Best Documentary: AUTISM: THE MUSICAL
2006:
- Best Feature: THE LIVES OF OTHERS
- Best Documentary: AMERICAN BLACKOUT
- Best Short: SINTONIA
2005:
- Best Feature: THE WORLD’s FASTEST INDIAN
- Best Documentary: CHRISTA McAULIFFE: REACH FOR THE STARS
- Best Short: A LIFE TO LIVE
2004:
- Best Feature: DEAR FRANKIE
- Best Documentary: BORN INTO BROTHELS
2003:
- Best Feature: IN AMERICA
- Best Documentary: MY ARCHITECT
2002:
- Best Feature: NOWHERE IN AFRICA
- Best Documentary: BLUE VINYL
- Best Feature, Runner-Up: FRIDA
- Best Documentary, Runner-Up: SISTER HELEN
2001:
- Best Feature: NO MAN’s LAND
- Best Documentary: SOUTHERN COMFORT
- Best Feature, Runner-Up: FAST RUNNER
- Best Documentary, Runner-up: ENDURANCE
