As part of Women’s History Month, George Mason University’s Film and Video Studies Department (FAVS) will focus its lens on Women in Film Week, March 25–28.
“Our hope is that by bringing attention to the role of women in film, we raise awareness among our students in FAVS of the critical importance of gender equality on their sets and in their studies,” says Giovanna Chesler, FAVS program director and an associate professor of communication.
“When 20 percent of the film industry is staffed by women, 30 percent of the characters in films are women with speaking parts and one in 10 films is directed by women, there is work to be done,” Chesler says.
FAVS is partnering with several other programs at Mason on the week’s events, including the Computer Game Design Program and Simulation and Game Institute, which hosts a daylong conference on STEM+Women (science, technology, engineering and mathematics); the Film and Media Studies and Women and Gender Studies programs; and Student Involvement Films (OSI Films).
“FAVS is situated at the largest public university in Virginia and our students are active participants in the film industry regionally,” Chesler says. “We have gender equity in our student body, and we owe it to them to help change the face of cinema, which can only happen through active conversation and careful inquiry. These events highlight forgotten directors, bring women alumni back to campus to speak about their experiences and present networking opportunities for our students, and further connect the D.C. film community to campus.”
Women in Film Week schedule
- Tuesday, March 25, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Johnson Center and Dewberry Hall
STEM+Women Conference, co-presented by Computer Game Design Program and Simulation and Game Institute
- Wednesday, March 26, from 5 to 7 p.m. – Johnson Center Cinema
A screening of “The Goddess” (1934, 73 minutes) and conversation on the work of Chinese silent film actress Ruan Lingyu with affiliated FAVS professor Sam Meddis (cosponsored by Delta Kappa Alpha, Mason’s film fraternity, and Film and Media Studies).
- Thursday, March 27, from 6 to 8 p.m. – Innovation Hall, 4th floor, GMU-TV Studio
Women in Film panel with FAVS alumni (networking and workshop event).
- Thursday, March 27 from 9 to 11 p.m. – Johnson Center Cinema
OSI Films will feature director Sofia Coppola’s Academy Award-nominated film, “Lost in Translation,” starring Scarlett Johansson and Bill Murray. The film was nominated for Best Screenplay, Best Director, Best Picture and Best Actor.
- Friday, March 28, at 2:30 p.m. – Innovation Hall, 4th floor, GMU-TV Studio
Studio A with Women in Film and Video President and filmmaker Erin Essenmacher (reception to follow).
- Friday, March 28, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. – Johnson Center Cinema
OSI Films showcases an acclaimed documentary written, directed and produced by Jennifer Siebel Newsom. “Miss Representation” explores how mainstream media contributes to the under-representation of women in influential positions by circulating limited and often disparaging portrayals of women.
To learn more about FAVS, see favs.gmu.edu. Like facebook.com/FAVSGMU on Facebook and follow @FAVS_GMU on Twitter.