Events
Gender and Sexuality

Chicken & Egg's take on Real Girls, Reel Change: Day 1

October 21, 2009 BY Molly Murphy

Reposted from Chicken & Egg Picture’s Blog
By Natalie Difford
Wednesday 10/21/2009

The first day of REAL GIRLS REEL CHANGE has been long but already Working Films is helping the Chicken & Egg/Fledgling Fund filmmakers recognize how to think, talk about and strategize for their films.

REAL GIRLS REEL CHANGE is an innovative three-day workshop that will nurture the work of non-profit organizations, filmmakers, and funders that are focused on supporting the physical, emotional, and social well being of girls and young women.

Today we have been identifying what “impact” looks like to each film. In doing so we hope to move filmmakers’ expectations away from being able to “change the world” and instead narrow their focus down to some very specific audiences and goals. The idea is to present a model that will make a sustainable movement towards change. One of the main problems with being able to do this was identified today as “the environmental movement has strength in its urgency. How do we get to talk about girls issues, without falling into the historical “bore” of womens’ history, with a sense of urgency and importance?”

Judith Helfand and Anna Lee of Working Films have been leading discussions in this as they believe that it takes more than one great film on a topic to support sustained social change. Working Films understand that real impact takes time and strategic use of many types of resources, and Real Girls, Reel Change was born out of our desire to develop a new format in which we can explore how multiple films that address similar issues can be used collectively and independently to advance the work of organizations working in a particular arena.

Dawn Valadez, co-Director and Producer for Going on 13 here talks about some great ideas she has come up with as a result of today’s sessions.

RELATED NEWS

Works-in-Progress Lab Opens Its Doors to the Public for the First Time

For the first time ever, Cucalorus and Working Films are inviting the public to experience the 2025 Works-in-Progress Lab—an immersive residency that champions independent filmmakers telling powerful stories of social justice. Taking place April 22-29, 2025, at Jengo’s Playhouse in downtown Wilmington, the Lab provides hands-on guidance in audience engagement and accountable storytelling. Each evening, audiences will get an exclusive first look at one of five powerful works-in-progress, with filmmakers and mentors joining in person to share insights and spark conversation. The gatherings begin at 6:30pm -- Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday,…

Celebrate Working Films' 25th in San Francisco

Join Working Films and some of your favorite storytellers and changemakers for a one-of-a-kind evening in San Francisco. Enjoy delicious appetizers, drinks, and the company of fellow filmmakers, artists, and changemakers as we come together to celebrate 25 years of documentary impact and set our sights on the future. This inspiring gathering will feature co-hosts and Working Films’ board members, Adamu Chan and Anayansi Prado, along with a special performance from a local poet and artist. Let’s come together to honor this milestone, build community, and continue using stories to…

Facing Race Conference: 2022 Race Flicks Line Up!

Race Forward and Working Films are thrilled to announce the 2022 Race Flicks film track of Facing Race: A National Conference being held as a hybrid event, online and in-person in Phoenix, Arizona, from November 17-19, 2022. Race Flicks lifts up critical issues of racial justice through film. This year’s program maintains a focus on accountable filmmaking that truly respects and reflects the people and places featured, and holds great potential to build power among those represented in the stories at hand. The selected films were chosen in large part…