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Toronto International Body Image Film and Arts Festival, Bite Me!, opens doors and airs out stereotypes at the National Film Board Mediatheque July 4-10, 2011. Bite Me! uses creative media to sort through issues related to identity and body image in order to inform, challenge, and redefine standard thinking surrounding these matters.

The Festival itself runs July 8-10 at NFB Mediatheque, showcasing art and film from across the globe. Each day, a plethora of films will be presented regaling audiences with stories from diverse cultures, perspectives, ages, and backgrounds. The opening night film is Amazon Falls (2010) from Canadian director Katrin Bowen, who will be in attendance for the screening. For the entire festival schedule, please go to the Bite Me! website. Tickets are available online or at the NFB Mediatheque. There are All Festival Passes available to those interested in the whole shebang, or you can attend just one day. Check out all your options with the film schedule! Just a reminder, the festival is a 19+ event for adult audiences only.

Not to exclude all the minors, Bite Me! presents the YouthZone, a three day workshop for girls aged 10-17 years focusing on girl empowerment and self esteem. Participants learn to challenge stereotypes and gender roles, investigate their own identities in creative workshops, break bread with female leaders from various industries, and exhibit their own work on July 6 in the closing Girls Showcase. There is room for 50 participants, and registration is by email so if you are interested please see the festival or the NFB Mediatheque websites for further details.

The Toronto International Body Image Film and Arts Festival is a great chance to learn about important social justice issues and their influence on various levels of society. For more information on the festival, or about the Bite Me! organization, please check out the website.