Project BEE is bringing back the festival of short films produced by and about women for a second year. This year’s films include seven productions that include stories of artists, scientists and filmmakers.

LUNAFEST will be held Saturday behind the MSU Dome. Gates open at 6 p.m., and film screenings begin at 7 p.m. The cost is $30 per vehicle. Space is available to accommodate up to 50 vehicles.

The drive-in concept for LUNAFEST was made possible by the donation of staff time and resources by MSU, said Allie Walsh, development director at Project BEE.

The film festival screenings will run about two hours, which includes an intermission featuring a recorded comedy short from Minot’s Good Night Live. However, people will want to arrive early to set up with audio and pick up their concessions.

Son of a Brunch food truck will be at the event. Coffee will be available from With Room Coffee. Jon Lakoduk will be providing popcorn and lemonade, courtesy of his Minot businesses. Dot’s Pretzels and, of course, LUNA bars, also will be available, thanks to donations from those companies.

Founded on a mission of championing women, LUNA introduced the first nutrition bar for women in 1999. That vision led to the creation of LUNAFEST in 2001, the world’s first all-women traveling film festival.

Over the past 20 years, LUNAFEST has shared the work of 170 women filmmakers, raising more than $6 million for local women’s causes. The festival travels to more than 200 cities each year.

This year, LUNA co-produced three films with its partner, Chicken & Egg Pictures. This nonprofit provides mentorship and financial support to women nonfiction filmmakers.

Walsh said LUNA has established a unique fundraising model in releasing the film festival to nonprofit organizations for a donation that supports Chicken & Egg Pictures. Those organizations then generate significantly more in proceeds to their causes through hosting the film screenings.

“We’re supporting their nonprofit but they are supporting ours, and our community is supporting us,” Walsh said.

She said Project Bee’s goal is to raise $15,000 through sponsorships, attendance and concessions to support the organization’s emergency shelter. Project Bee opened a warming house for homeless individuals and families at its shelter Oct. 1, but it continues to provide hotel lodging when necessary to accommodate the need for services. The event proceeds will help support the shelter, along with its shower and laundry facilities and Community Closet. Financial needs include everything from utilities and cleaning supplies to breakfast food or other meals not provided through local meal train volunteers, Walsh said.

Since transitioning from the former YWCA Minot to Project Bee, the organization is able to serve the entire community and not just women and children. However, Project BEE continues to support the role of women, Walsh said.

“This is a great example of that,” she said of the LUNAFEST event. “Just because we aren’t solely women-focused anymore doesn’t mean that we can’t still highlight what they offer.”

This year’s LUNAFEST films include stories of filmmakers who captured a North Pole expedition, an angler, a professional softball player, a 93-year-old artist, a mixed media artist, a scientist and a child searching for her mother after being separated at the U.S. southern border. Due to some sensitive material, the film festival is advised for viewers 18 and older.

More details are available at LUNAFEST.org or on Project BEE’s Facebook page under events. Tickets also can be purchased in advance through a link on the Facebook page.