An Evening with Yvonne Russo

CASCADIA International Women’s Film Festival proudly presents award-winning independent producer-director-writer Yvonne Russo as its 2025 Honored Guest on Friday, April 25, at 7 p.m. in the Mount Baker Theatre’s Walton Theatre with her new film, VIVA VERDI!

Lauded Producer of the Year by the American Indian Film Festival, Russo’s extensive work spans film, television, and animation that has been produced in 17 countries.

Her storytelling elevates diverse and underrepresented voices with her unique vision and impactful narratives. An industry activist, she has served on the Board of Governors of the Producers Guild of America and serves now on the board of New York Women in Film & Television (NYWIFT), one of CASCADIA’s organizational partners.

In her distinguished career as director and producer, she introduces women’s stories to audiences around the world through projects such as Vow of Silence: The Assassination of Annie Mae, currently streaming on ONYX Collective/Hulu and Woman Walks Ahead starring Jessica Chastain for which she was production advisor. Currently she’s co-producing Kelly’s Bar with Casey Affleck, a love story set in 1980s South Boston.

Her lengthy television credits include programs for:the CBS/Smithsonian, National Geographic and TLC/Discovery channels as well as the popular PBS short film, Minnie’s War Bonnet. She also was a producer for True Whisperers: The Story of the Navajo Code Talkers, one of the most in-depth documentaries on the subject.

You may have seen her as an actress in her early career in Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman, Stolen Women, Captured Hearts, Naturally Native or American Indian Graffiti.

CASCADIA is delighted to present her new joyful documentary VIVA VERDI! in its Pacific Northwest premiere. The film is an intimate look inside Casa di Riposo per Musicisti in Milan, the retirement home founded by composer Giuseppe Verdi for aging opera singers and musicians.

See the film and listen to an interview afterward as she shares her insights and stories about her creative process, music, and aging.  Then meet her in person at an artisan dessert reception in the Encore Room immediately following the screening in An Evening with Yvonne Russo, Friday, April 24, 7 p.m. in the Mount Baker Theatre’ Walton Theatre.

The evening is sponsored by Cascadia Daily News with Sheila and Robert Goodwin and San Juan Broadband sponsors of the film. Audrey Sager and Steve Gellerman sponsor the reception.

The Honored Guest event is included in the All Access Pass.  Individual tickets to the event must be purchased through the Mount Baker Theatre box office.