Filmmaker: Lysa Heslov
Runtime: 90 min
Director Lisa Heslov’s documentary, “Served Like a Girl, provides a candid look at several American women as they transition from active duty to civilian life after serving tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. Our wounded U.S. female service personnel often return to a stark reality, one that is rarely discussed or considered. Struggling with PTSD, homelessness, broken families, serious illness, physical injuries, and the aftermath of military sexual abuse, these amazing women find ways to adapt and overcome debilitating challenges through participation in the “Ms. Veteran American” competition. Guided by event founder and veteran, Jas Boothe, the women leverage their experiences gained through competition to recover the parts of themselves and their personal identities they had lost on the battlefield. Called “ENGAGING, HONEST and POWERFUL,” this film is a beautiful tapestry interlaced with poignant moments, social commentary, and humor.
About The Filmmaker
Lysa Heslov is a Director and Producer, who, along with her husband, Academy Award Winning producer/writer and director, Grant Heslov founded Children Mending Hearts, a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering disadvantaged youth through educational and humanities programs that build empathy and global citizenry.
Lysa produced and directed award-winning, Served Like A Girl. The film followed American, female military veterans around the country and their participation in the 2015 Ms. Veteran America competition; a competition created to bring awareness of homeless female veterans in the U.S. The film focuses on five women competing for the crown and their struggles since returning home from war. Served Like A Girl premiered at the 2017 SXSW Film Festival, won the Jury Award for Best Documentary at the Bentonville Film Festival in May 2017 and won the Audience Award at the 2017 Naples International Film Festival.
Lysa has produced such indie favorites as Black Circle Boys, Attention Shoppers, Bug, Mailman, and Hank Azaria’s Nobody’s Perfect. Black Circle Boys, Mailman and Nobody’s Perfect premiered at Sundance. Nobody’s Perfect was awarded best short at the HBO comedy film festival. Additionally, Bug was awarded best feature film by the Santa Barbara film festival.