ENCINITAS — The LUNAFEST, a national film festival that promotes awareness of women’s issues will make a stop at the La Paloma Theatre at 7 p.m. March 27. The event is open to the public.

LUNA representative Beth Benson said the effort has raised more than $450,000 for women’s nonprofit organizations in its seven-year history. Proceeds raised from the $10 entry fee, auction and raffle will be divided among the Breast Cancer Fund and the Oceanside Women’s Resource Center.

“We wanted to bring the event to Encinitas to highlight some of the issues that women are facing,” Benson said.

Founded in 1992, the Breast Cancer Fund works from the knowledge that breast cancer is not only a personal tragedy, but also a public health priority that demands action. In response to the public health crisis of breast cancer, the organization identifies and advocates for elimination of the environmental and other preventable causes of the disease.

The Women’s Resource Center, located in Oceanside, provides supportive services, counseling, shelter and education to women, men and children involved in or threatened by domestic violence or sexual assault. Representative Tanya Caraballo said the organization is excited to partner with LUNA to raise awareness about the issues facing women and their families. “This is an excellent opportunity to reach out to people who may need our services or want to volunteer to help,” she said.

Deputy Mayor Maggie Houlihan will be the guest speaker. Houlihan, who underwent treatment for endometrial cancer last year, said she plans to stress the importance of women trusting their intuition when it relates to their health. “If something doesn’t seem right, go get it checked,” she said. “Don’t put it off.”

The festival will show nine short films made by women that range from animation to fictional drama. “There is a good balance in the genres and the messages they put forth,” Benson said. “This is an opportunity to come together as a community for a common cause,” Benson said.

Houlihan said her personal experience with cancer illuminated the importance of support networks for women during a health crisis. “You tend to forge a bond with other women when you are in the same situation,” she said. “You’ve got to face whatever it is,” she said. “It’s a better feeling to look back on the experience than to look forward to it.”

For more information, visit www.lunafest.org.