Guest Post By Amirose Eisenbach

A mix of hard work, luck, and timing has allowed me to have a very fruitful and exciting career in entertainment for the last decade. From Warner Bros., to Fox, and most recently, running the independent film division for AMC Theaters editorial, I’ve learned and grown so much from a variety of different landscapes and roles within the industry.

Despite my success however, there was a time when I still felt unfulfilled. A desire for more. To do more. To be more. Creatively, I knew I wanted to make a real and tangible impact in the world, but I didn’t know how or where to begin.

While writing, hosting, and producing several film shows at AMC, I would often discuss the need for more female creatives to get opportunities in front of and behind the camera. I started a Women in Film segment on my AMCi show. We focused on highlighting strong women in the industry doing incredible things. Some of the negative backlash my dear friend and co-host Alicia Malone and I received made me realize just how far we have to go to be represented equally.

Two years ago in April, my life would change forever. I lost my beautiful mother Jayne to cancer, and my world came crashing down, altering everything in its wake. I was no longer able to put on a face and play the game. Or be a part of something that didn’t feel authentic to me. I needed to really fight for something. To stand for something.

When I hosted an all-female panel one morning, we received comments such as, “That’s a funny looking kitchen,” or would be labeled “Feminazis” for merely talking about the blatant gender gap. This didn’t make me want to retreat or be quiet. On the contrary. It made me want to live my life louder.

That same year, I spoke on a panel at Geena Davis’ first Bentonville Film Festival and my path was becoming more and more clear. This was my destiny. To lead by example and help other women find their voice so that together, we could really make an impact. We as women need to help lift each other up. Not keep tearing each other down.

I quit AMC, went to Asia for a six-week healing journey and came back ready to dedicate the rest of my life to fighting for what I believe in. I launched my film and events company, Radiant J. Productions, with the intention of spreading consciousness and connection, to help elevate women and to help give aspiring artists the platform to pursue their dreams.

The “J” stands for my mother, Jayne. The bright light and strength that guides me as I work to become the woman I always knew I could be. When you replace the “I” with the “We,” that’s when the magic happens. It’s no longer about my own career or success, but rather what I can do for and with others.

I’m throwing my first event with Radiant J. called “Cinefemales” on May 21 at the Aero Theatre in Santa Monica. It will be an evening of celebrating women, film and connection. The incredible Ava DuVernay (“Selma”) and Catherine Hardwicke (“Thirteen”) are speaking on my panel, generously sharing their wisdom and experience in how they work to keep leveling the playing field for female creatives.

We will also unveil the winners of a short film contest I launched exclusively for female filmmakers, followed by the playing of their films.

I’ve learned that the way to really reach people is to meet them at the intersection of vulnerability and intellect. My dream is to inspire, activate, and help people find courage to keep making their own difference. If we add all our purpose and passion up together, the result can be truly beautiful and have an impact.

So, what does your J stand for? We have all been through pain and tough times. There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t feel absolute heartache from the immeasurable loss of my mother. But I’m committed to using that pain to create something special and to help others in the process. Your J becomes your badge of life. What you choose to do with that is up to you. After all, we’re in this together. It’s time we act like it.

For more details on how to attend “Cinefemales” and be a part of this important evening, check the EventBrite page and RadiantJProductions.com

Amirose Eisenbach is a writer, producer, and the founder of Radiant J. Productions. You can follow her at @Amirosie and @RadiantJProds.