ABOUT CJFF

History | Press Kit | Contact | Shirley Clarke Award

Women continue to be under-represented in many areas of media. You might have heard the bleak statistics: for example, in 2008, women only comprised 16% of all directors, producers, writers, cinematographers, and editors working on the top 250 domestic grossing films. The numbers, however, do not reflect the amazing breadth, depth, and beauty of work made by women all over the world. The Citizen Jane Film Festival, along with its allies from other film festivals and arts organizations, hopes to make this work more visible and to strengthen the network of feminists (of all genders!).

As a new and intimate festival, we are interested in creating a truly meaningful experience in the heartland of the USA. The festival presents an exciting opportunity for artists, critics, and professionals to share work and ideas with an incredibly supportive and interested community. Last year, our brother film festival – the True/False Film Festival – brought over 20,000 people to packed theaters throughout the city. With the opening of the new independent Ragtag Cinema and a bevy of students and professors moving to town for its academic film and media studies programs, Columbia has become a really interesting place to meet and interact with a diverse, generous audience that is enthusiastic about film.

The Citizen Jane Film Festival brings together a diversity of makers who are working with media in a variety of ways – from documentary shorts to handmade film to feature narratives to performance art and installation. The festival will be an opportunity for artists working in different genres and modes to have conversations and share resources.