The question of turning dialogue into action is not a new one, particularly in an age where the internet allows millions of people around the world to participate in conversations about issues such as race, gender, and socioeconomic inequality. #MeToo and #BlackLivesMatter have made it clear that online discourse can be transformed into groundbreaking movements to upend the status quo, but that doesn’t mean that it’s an easy task.
This round of crowdfunding picks is comprised of projects that evolved out of vital discussions about race, politics, and the film industry. Not only is each project the culmination of concrete actions taken by its creators, but each also calls on its audience to engage with and take action on the issues it highlights.
“Amadi Comes Home” revolves around a group of friends having a difficult and heated conversation about race. “Running With My Girls” takes a look at the reality behind initiatives supporting women running for office by following women of color as they become candidates in Denver’s local elections. Finally, the Nevertheless Film Festival engages directly with discussions about the lack of women-helmed films at major fests by creating a forum specifically for female-identifying filmmakers.
Here are Women and Hollywood’s latest women-created and women-centric crowdfunding selections.
As intersectional feminism has become more and more prominent, it has forced women (white women in particular) to examine the ways that they conceptualize gender inequality and their own privilege. In doing so, it has created a new standard for feminism that incorporates the specific struggles and oppression faced by women of all races/ethnicities, religions, sexual orientations, etc., while also calling on those who are more privileged to identify ways in which they can uplift the women who are not. In the process, however, it has raised a number of debates.
Short film “Amadi Comes Home” encompasses one of those debates, as it follows two white women who have been friends since childhood announcing their adoption of a young Ethiopian boy at a dinner with friends. The dialogue that ensues among the diverse group of women brings up the issues of white saviorism and race relations in the U.S. Crucially, the film shows women of different backgrounds engaging in conversation and challenging one another.
For writers April Matthis and Laura E. Bray it was important to “show the hurt and anger within a heated conversation that doesn’t resolve itself.” The film’s campaign promises it will pose more questions than it answers, and in doing so, it will push viewers to think about the ways they engage in similar discourse in their own lives.
Donate to the film’s Kickstarter campaign here.
“Running With My Girls” (Documentary) – Directed by Rebekah Henderson
The Sundance success of “Knock Down the House” has made it clear that audiences are interested in watching films about unlikely candidates running for office — and winning. In 2018, shocking primary upsets by women such as Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Ayanna Pressley were followed by the historic election of more women to Congress than ever before. With (at least) four female politicians already running to become the Democratic party’s presidential nominee, it feels like the U.S. may finally be on a solid path towards breaking the glass ceiling and achieving gender parity in politics. But running for office takes more than guts — it takes funds, publicity, and a lot of hard work, especially if you’re a woman of color.
“Running With My Girls” is a feature-length documentary that will follow women of color running for office in Denver, Colorado. From city council to the transit board to the mayor’s office, the film will document Denver’s municipal elections in an effort to shine a light on the importance of local politics, and, perhaps more importantly, the unique struggles that women of color face when running for office — and the unique struggles that pushed them to run in the first place.
Rebekah Henderson, the filmmaker and producer behind the project, has focused her production company on creating content on identity and race. In the campaign, Henderson writes that although its focus is on Denver, the film’s themes “will be universal: representation, struggle, dismantling racism, and amplifying and uplifting the voices of women of color in politics.” As the U.S. continues to navigate its historic and ongoing issues with racism, films like “Running With My Girls” can provide a vital perspective and source of inspiration for the women fighting for a more equal and just system for everyone.
Support “Running With My Girls” on Seed&Spark.
Nevertheless Film Festival – Founded by Meredith Finch
The Berlin International Film Festival recently became the latest major fest to agree to sign a pledge for gender equality after a sustained campaign by activists. Spurred by movements like Time’s Up and 5050×2020, among many others, the film industry continues to reckon with its startling lack of support for women filmmakers. As evidenced by this year’s Oscar nominations and lack of recognition at awards ceremonies for female filmmakers in general, there’s still a long way to go. A new festival this year, however, isn’t waiting for others to catch up.
The Nevertheless Film Festival hopes to do its part in uplifting the work of female-identifying filmmakers at its inaugural edition this year. From July 11-14 in Ann Arbor, Michigan, women throughout the industry will come together to celebrate and showcase their work. Critically, the festival does not only focus on elevating women directors: all of the films in its program will have at least 50 percent of their leadership positions filled by women. That means that the films it shows will have women writers, producers, cinematographers, editors, composers, etc.
Inspired by the now-iconic phrase “Nevertheless, she persisted,” the festival aims to do what its larger counterparts have failed to do for so many years, and it plans to do it quickly. In the campaign, the festival’s creator, Meredith Finch, writes, “Nevertheless hopes to contribute to the conversation about not just gender equality, but equal representation and opportunities for filmmakers of color, LGBTQ+, and all abilities.” With grassroots support and a bold agenda, the festival will hopefully play a role in promoting more opportunities for women throughout the industry.
Support the festival by contributing to its Indiegogo campaign here.
To be considered for Women and Hollywood’s biweekly crowdfunding feature, please write to womenandhollywoodinterns@gmail.com. All formats (features, shorts, web series, etc.) welcome. Projects must be by and/or about women.
