Local musicians, a silent auction, guest speakers and a series of short films will take over downtown Flagstaff March 6. These festivities will comprise Lunafest, a “national traveling festival of short films.”

The makers of the Luna Bar, a wholesome nutrition bar for women, created Lunafest in 2000. The festival occurs yearly throughout the United States and Canada and was brought to fruition in an attempt to not only promote female filmmakers, but to also raise money and awareness for various women’s issues and nonprofit organizations.

Flagstaff’s Lunafest will benefit the Breast Cancer Fund and the local chapter of Girls on the Run, a non-profit organization dedicated to the education and empowerment of young women.

Tiffany Carlyon, a volunteer for Girls on the Run, said planning this year’s event involved a large part of the community.

“We have been working with a lot of local businesses to spread the word about Lunafest,” Carlyon said. “We have been fortunate to receive many diverse and fun donations to our silent auction, and several local restaurants have donated food for the event.”

In addition to placing bids and sampling local fare, attendees will be able to watch performances by Flagstaff musicians Aly Jay and Karna Otten, and they can view the main attraction: a festival of 10 short films.

Sara Schaefer, a freshman elementary education major, said she does not often have the opportunity to view all-women musical acts.

“I’m excited to see some local female musicians,” Schaefer said. “That’s really not something you see enough of, and I think it’s perfect for this event.”

The films being shown this year include diverse interpretations of womanhood, ranging from a documentary on childbirth to the story of a single woman in her 40s, starring Courtney Cox.

Ayomide Owolabi, a junior electronic media and film major, said she welcomes the ideas being presented by Lunafest.

“I really appreciate their concept of ‘for women, by women films,’” Owolabi said. “I love their concept of choosing independent films even more, because they tend to be even more creative.”

In addition to the music and films, Lunafest will also feature guest speakers Stephanie Ludwig, director of Girls on the Run; and Janna Jones, NAU’s director of Cinema and Visual Culture Studies.

A matinee showing of the featured films will be held at 2 p.m. at the Orpheum Theater in downtown Flagstaff. The evening festivities will begin at 6 p.m.