TORONTO, Nov. 9 /CNW/ -- After a successful inaugural year, the world's first breast cancer film festival is back and bigger than ever. Along with a new selection of inspiring films that cover the emotional spectrum of the breast cancer journey, Rethink Breast Cancer's 2009 Breast Fest Film Festival is unveiling a new three-day program to include additional workshops to further engage and educate audiences.

"Last year's Festival showcased different perspectives on breast cancer, and connected people to each other and to the breast cancer cause in a new and unique way," said Alison Gordon, Breast Fest Film Festival's director and a vice-president at Rethink Breast Cancer (Rethink). "More than 700 people attended Breast Fest, and the powerful stories and important messages resonated around the world. This year, we are building on that success by adding more panel discussions and workshops to inspire dialogue, facilitate learning, and foster community."

This year's Festival focuses on the importance of storytelling as part of the healing process and will include the premiere of Rethink's own short documentary film, About Her. This original production will open Breast Fest Film Festival on Friday night and be screened again on Saturday morning as part of the Words for Wellness writing workshop. About Her brings together the stories of Canadian women living with HER2-positive breast cancer, one of the most aggressive forms of the disease.

"I have been living with metastatic breast cancer for nine years and storytelling has been an important therapeutic tool for me throughout my journey," said Ms. Lisa Rendall, a Saskatoon resident living with HER2-postive breast cancer. "I am honoured to be sharing my story with the other inspiring women featured in About Her, and to be participating in a panel discussion at the Festival on metastatic breast cancer. Through both, I hope to highlight the role of storytelling in the healing process and maybe even make someone else's journey a little bit easier."

Three-time cancer survivor Jonna Tamases agrees that many people who are touched by breast cancer experience the healing power of storytelling and self-expression. Her award-winning film, Jonna's Body, Please Hold, is a dark comedy that uses humour to engage audiences, but also delivers a deeply moving message.

"As a writer and performer, I'm excited by the possibilities for art that can come out of a traumatic event, and exploring artistic ways of sharing a story," said Ms. Tamases. "I wanted to create a film that expresses the fullness of life: the laughter, joy, silliness and power, as well as the struggle.