#gitwff

We celebrated Mother's Day last weekend, but here's a reminder to appreciate our gaurdians every day. Whether independent, unrelated by blood or passed, here's to those that we call family. Thank you to the selfless women in the world.

https://www.facebook.com/GITWFF/videos/1674166312659654/

Watch these three 2018 films here:

"A Complete Family" http://www.connecther.org/gitw/galleryview/id/1461 "The Superhero Without a Cape" http://www.connecther.org/gitw/galleryview/id/1588 "A Mother's Love" http://www.connecther.org/gitw/galleryview/id/1596

Back in fall of 2017, Connecther had the honor of being the feature story for the August issue of Love Our Girls. 

Photo credit to Love Our Girls

We love this quote from Love Our Girls founder Danai Gurira. An exceptional actor and writer, Danai’s play “Eclipsed” starring Lupita Nyong’o went on to Broadway, and you most likely caught her on the big screen as Okoye in “Black Panther.” 

“As an actress, I have the good fortune of being able to play a complex, strong and flawed woman. As a writer, scripting narratives is my act of resistance, my way of bringing that unheard African female voice front and center and allowing it to manifest its astounding value. I have always had a passion for women and girls, a hope to see them function on the same playing field as men and have the same opportunities and appropriate protections. I want to be more than an actress and storyteller but an advocate for women, not only in underdeveloped countries but all over the world.” - Danai Gurira

Read our August 2017 feature here: 

We caught up with Roxanne Lim (left) and Jen BKLYN (right) post-GITWFF at Hot 97′s studio in NYC. 

GITWFF: How did this magical collaboration start? 

Roxanne: I was a fall intern here at Hot 97. I received an email from the Asian American Journalists Association about Connecther and GITWFF. At that time, I was taking a challenge by my directors who were telling me to also take advantage of learning about the people currently working here and not just focus on my internship assignments. I heard about Jen, and it seemed like her story was really interesting and relative, so I just sent her an email and pitched the film idea to her. 

Jen: She sent me the email, and something in me said you know, let me give this girl a shot. I asked her for more details, and when I found out what it was for and its meaning, I was like this is what I’m all about. I’m all about the empowerment and the youth. We had no idea where it would go or take us, but the whole process on its own was definitely very liberating. It’s an honor for me to share my story with other young girls to show them this is how I grew up. So it’s very exciting to know that we won. That really meant that we were on the right path. It means more than just the win and prize money! 

Roxanne: Honestly, it was a real shot in the dark. But it turned out to be so fruitful. Building a relationship with Jen, and learning more about one another and how our visions of the future are very aligned. We had a lot of unanswered questions in the beginning, but we had a lot of hope as well. And that was the important part. That we believed in something really small, and it became a lot bigger than it was. 

Jen: I’ve been in this industry for 10 years. In this industry, you’re on the go all the time, you don’t know who you’re impacting or inspiring, you don’t even know if you’re doing anything. It means a lot. 

GITWFF: Who else played a key role in making your film? 

Roxanne: Jasmine Veridiano. She edited most of the film. Now she’s an editor and works with us at Next Jeneration. 

GITWFF: For the editing that you did yourself, how did you learn? 

Roxanne: Lots and lots of hours spent on YouTube. And just troubleshooting. I’ve very self-taught which can be a pro and a con. I’m still growing and because I didn’t take formal classes or didn’t go to school specifically for film or video, there are always things that I need to learn and relearn. In my earlier years, I was part of a huge Filipino nonprofit, and would edit small promotional videos for them. So I had those skills in the bank, but through Jasmine’s help, I started to really learn the art of editing. We used Adobe Premiere, and there were so many features that could help you really create art. I’m still learning new things every day thanks to Jasmine. 

GITWFF: What were some challenges that turned into great learning moments? 

Roxanne: The fact that this was my first big film project was a challenge. As soon as I knew I was going to pitch her the idea and got confidence to talk to her, there was no turning back! You know you can’t just sell your idea and not follow through. The biggest challenge was keeping that momentum. Not losing that confidence, even when I knew I wasn’t an expert, all goes back to representation. When you’re not represented by your ethnicity, it’s already discouraging. But when you’re not an expert on top of that, it’s even more so because who do you go for help? So a lot of times it was just me reminding myself to remain confident in the story I was telling. Knowing that Jen believed in me, I should believe in myself. I’m always used to being behind the camera, but as a director, I had to publicize it and be visible. The energy and passion I have behind-the-scenes should still transfer back on-screen. Making the winning speech onstage at the festival was so nerve-wracking! 

GITWFF: Definitely. A lot of it is just realizing that at the end of the day, nobody can represent your hard work more than you can. SO BE PROUD OF THAT, ROXANNE! 

Roxanne: I AM! I am very proud! Making this film definitely helped shaped me to this present day. Getting to attend the festival was so wonderful. It was a genuine and new experience for me. To be involved with something as great as women’s empowerment. Seeing other people’s films was groundbreaking. It showed me the passionate people outside of my own network and bubble. 

GITWFF: What do you plan to do with the prize money? 

Roxanne: Investing in a new camera or general funding for a new project. My main goal with filmmaking is fictional narrative, but for now I’m more oriented towards documentary filmmaking. I am a firm believer in giving back out what you take. I hope to continue that cycle. 

GITWFF: Any upcoming projects? 

Roxanne: I just started outreach for these new small projects for the local hip-hop community. I want to showcase stories from local DJs. The love for DJ culture and turntablism is dying out. I want to go out every other night to just spend time to interview them. My target at first was 50, but after reaching out online, it’s not that big of a target at all. Many are volunteering to be in it, because they agree that they don’t get much attention. I have a big heart for the hip-hop community, and love being a part of the Open Faders, a collective founded by DJ Roli Rho. It’s super nerdy. 

GITWFF: Do you turntable too? 

Roxanne: I started learning just for pure knowledge of the art, but there is no mixtape dropping anytime soon. It’s just so interesting to see how people can physically manipulate sound. 

GITWFF: Do you have any favorite local DJs? 

Roxanne: I may be biased, but I do like DJ Roli Rho. He’s an OG turntablist from Queens. DJ FatFingaz from Hot 97 is also super good. 

Jen: He’s so talented. 

Roxanne: I had to shout him out, because he can get anyone moving.I also went to DMC Regionals. An 11-year-old girl won! She’s the first black girl to win, and she’s the youngest. That’s a huge deal. Her name is DJ Kool Flash. 

GITWFF: Lastly... Congratulations on graduating college, Roxanne! 

Roxanne: Thank you so much. I’m the first to graduate from my family. It’s a big deal to me. 

Roxanne and Jen BKLYN’s interview will continue with a part 2 coming soon! Part 2 will feature some more of Jen’s story and the process of making their film. 

You can view Roxanne’s winning film Who is Jen BKLYN? here: http://www.connecther.org/gitw/galleryview/id/1579

Follow on insta! 

@renaissanceroxy

@jenfrombk

Pictured above: Dominique Seward, Aicha Cherif, Rebecca Dharmapalan, Roxanne Lim with JenBKLYN, and Meghan Cullen

Every year, Girls Impact the World Film Festival comes across talented, powerful young filmmakers with messages that spark our own fundraising projects. Now with six years of alumni in our community from all over the world, we wanted to reach out to as many as possible, from day one to just yesterday, to see what they're up to post GITWFF.

Our first round of filmmaker features will be hosted here on our blog next Monday! Keep up to date with us using our hashtags #GITWFF and #GITWfilmmaker.

Superhero Without a Cape: Hazera Begum

A few days ago, I had the opportunity to visit Hazera Begum and her kids. If I’m being honest, I’d have to say that that visit changed something in me. Quite often, living with privilege causes us to forget what that privilege looks like. We filter out the positives and dwell on the negatives – emphasizing on how unfair life has been to us. But when we put things in perspective, when we honestly compare our lives to those of the unfortunate, the contrast humbles us. It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what part of this visit has caused this tug at my heartstrings. Was it that the way these 42 kids happily coexisted in a 3 bedroom apartment without any complaints? Or was it the way they never complained about their lack of material things and found happiness in the smallest of occurrences? It could also be the fact that most of these children don’t know where they come from, who their parents were, or what happened to them, and accepted life as it is – finding a family within the dwellers of these 3 rooms, loving and taking care of each other. I’m not sure. What I do know, however, is that their compassion, love, and ability to find happiness in the smallest things have touched my heart.

Donate here: https://www.connecther.org/projects/view?id=91

Photo by Jennifer M. Ramos

Congratulations to all finalists! Thank you for celebrating with us at the St. Andrew’s Dell Fine Arts Theater in Austin, TX on April 7, 2018

JUDGES CHOICE GRAND PRIZE WINNER ($5,000)

The Superhero Without a Cape- Hazera Begum

Shafiqua Narwin Oishi, Asian University for Women

www.connecther.org/gitw/galleryview/id/1588

JUDGE’S CHOICE FIRST RUNNER UP ($2,500)

Let me Breathe with my Dream

Novera Hasan Nikkon, Jagannath University

www.connecther.org/gitw/galleryview/id/1425

JUDGE’S CHOICE SECOND RUNNER UP ($1,000)

A Truth

Susannah Joffe, St. Stephen’s Episcopal School

www.connecther.org/gitw/galleryview/id/1480

PEOPLE’S CHOICE ($2,500)

Talk Up the Talk

Jessica Mabanglo, Gordon College

www.connecther.org/gitw/galleryview/id/1616

GIRLS IN STEM (2 Awards of $,1000)

A World in Motion

An Nguyen, Khue Tran and Makayla Moore, Pflugerville High School

www.connecther.org/gitw/galleryview/id/1472

Balancing Tech

Schwetal Shah, University of Strathclyde

www.connecther.org/gitw/galleryview/id/1431

GLOBAL IMPACT GRAND PRIZE ($2,500)

Cut

Aicha Cherif, School of the Future

www.connecther.org/gitw/galleryview/id/1511

GLOBAL IMPACT FIRST RUNNER UP  ($1,000)

The Gods Will Be Angry

Preeti Shakya, Tribhuvan University

www.connecther.org/gitw/galleryview/id/1681

HONEST BEAUTY ($2,500)

I Am Beautiful

Kristelle Dirks, Homeschool

www.connecther.org/gitw/galleryview/id/1542

BEST FILM PRODUCTION ($1,000)

Who Is JenBKLYN?

Roxanne Lim, St. John’s University

www.connecther.org/gitw/galleryview/id/1579

LET GIRLS LEARN ($1,000)

Maksad (The Aim)

Pooja Gowtham Bohra, Flame University

www.connecther.org/gitw/galleryview/id/1602

ENDING VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ($1,000)

Piñata

Miranda Abazoski and Tianna McNair, Temple University

www.connecther.org/gitw/galleryview/id/1541

GREEN IS: SPONSORED BY IAN SOMERHALDER FOUNDATION ($2,500)

Fatima

Halimah Tariq, University of London

www.connecther.org/gitw/galleryview/id/1705

MOST INNOVATIVE SOLUTION ($1,000)

Carry Your Dream With You

Shereen Nidal Nanish, Jamia Millia Islamia University

www.connecther.org/gitw/galleryview/id/1570

MOST INNOVATIVE FILM ($1,000)

Tune Your Ears

Rebecca Dharmapalan, UC Berkeley

www.connecther.org/gitw/galleryview/id/1687

STAND UP MEN ($2,500)

Stand Up Men

Palak Srivastava, St. John’s School DLW

www.connecther.org/gitw/galleryview/id/1441

GEM’S CHOICE ($1,500)

Self Portrait

Meghan Cullen, Academy of Art University

Photo by TWEST PHOTOGRAPHY

Congratulations to all finalists! Thank you for celebrating with us at the St. Andrew’s Dell Fine Arts Center in Austin, TX on April 9, 2017.

JUDGE’S CHOICE:

Grand Prize Winner ($5,000): Your Flowers Did Not Fade

Christin Chae, Korea Kent Foreign School

http://www.connecther.org/gitw/galleryview/id/1253

First Runner Up ($2,500): Fantasy

Jordyn Roach, University of Oregon

http://www.connecther.org/gitw/galleryview/id/1020

Second Runner Up ($1,000): Peighton

Kevin Brooks, University of Memphis

http://www.connecther.org/gitw/galleryview/id/1068

PEOPLE’S CHOICE ($2,500)

Winner: This is 2017

Rae Kanoa, Palos Verdes High School

http://www.connecther.org/gitw/galleryview/id/1162

HONEST BEAUTY ($2,500)

Winner: Beauty

Madessyn Zahn, Moberly Area Community College

http://www.connecther.org/gitw/galleryview/id/1277

BEST FILM PRODUCTION ($1,000)

Winner: Peighton 

Kevin Brooks, University of Memphis

http://www.connecther.org/gitw/galleryview/id/1068

EDUCATION - Let Girls Learn ($1,000)

Winner: Shonirbhorota

Anila Shaheen, Asian University for Women

http://www.connecther.org/gitw/galleryview/id/1011

ENDING VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ($1,000)

(NEW CATEGORY)

Winner: Culture Against Women

Phuong Vu Hoang, Hanoi University of Science and Technology

http://www.connecther.org/gitw/galleryview/id/1299

GLOBAL IMPACT ($2,500)

Winner: Sex Workers of Dhakka City

Neealana Naushin, Asian University for Women, Chittagong

http://www.connecther.org/gitw/galleryview/id/1206

GREEN IS sponsored by: Ian Somerhalder Foundation

(Grand Prize $2,500, First Runner Up $1,000)

Winner: Maatir Chula (The Clay Stove)

Pooja Khati, Asian University for Women

http://www.connecther.org/gitw/galleryview/id/1333

First Runner Up: Where Do Your Clothes Come From?

Amanda Camos, Cardinal Gibbons High School

http://www.connecther.org/gitw/galleryview/id/1326

MOST INNOVATIVE SOLUTION ($1,000)

Winner: Fighting the Gender Gap

Briana Berger, F.W. Buchholz High School

http://www.connecther.org/gitw/galleryview/id/1050

STAND UP MEN ($2,500)

Winner: Project Stand Up

Abdisalam Ahmed Hussein, Amiin Mohamed Abdukadir, Ahmed Khadar, Farhiya Abshir Yusuf, Sabrin Ahmed Omar, Sabri Omar Mohsen, Ali Sudi Abukar, Omar Ahmed Mayow, Asad Aseyr Abdalla, Zakaria Mohamed Abdi, The Fugee School

http://www.connecther.org/gitw/galleryview/id/1225

WOMEN/GIRLS IN STEM ($1,000)

Winner: The World I Want to Live in #StemsFromHer

Abbie Collette, Sylvie Pryor Rosenstein, Mae Pryor Rosenstein, Abram Collette, Baxter Academy for Technology and Science

http://www.connecther.org/gitw/galleryview/id/1138

GEM’S CHOICE ($1,000)

Winner: Your Flowers Did Not Fade

Christin Chae, Korea Kent Foreign School

CATEGORY FINALISTS 2017

JUDGE’S CHOICE TOP 6

Fantasy

Jordyn Roach, University of Oregon

http://www.connecther.org/gitw/galleryview/id/1020

Peighton

Kevin Brooks, University of Memphis

http://www.connecther.org/gitw/galleryview/id/1068

Project Stand Up

Abdisalam Ahmed Hussein, Amiin Mohamed Abdukadir, Ahmed Khadar, Farhiya Abshir Yusuf, Sabrin Ahmed Omar, Sabri Omar Mohsen, Ali Sudi Abukar, Omar Ahmed Mayow, Asad Aseyr Abdalla, Zakaria Mohamed Abdi, The Fugee School

http://www.connecther.org/gitw/galleryview/id/1225

Street Based Sex Workers of Dhaka City

Neealana Naushin, Asian University for Women, Chittagong

http://www.connecther.org/gitw/galleryview/id/1206

This is 2017

Rae Kanoa, Palos Verdes High School

http://www.connecther.org/gitw/galleryview/id/1162

Your Flowers Did Not Fade

Christin Chae, Korea Kent Foreign School

http://www.connecther.org/gitw/galleryview/id/1253

BEAUTY

Beauty

Madessyn Zahn, Moberly Area Community College

http://www.connecther.org/gitw/galleryview/id/1277

Beautiful People

Olivia Owens, Prosper High Shool

http://www.connecther.org/gitw/galleryview/id/1205

Beauty on Instagram

Victoria Campbell, University of Wisconsin La Crosse

http://www.connecther.org/gitw/galleryview/id/1244

Outfit

Adrienne D'Agostino, Temple University

http://www.connecther.org/gitw/galleryview/id/1147

The Price of Being Thin

Keira Edgett, Fordham University

http://www.connecther.org/gitw/galleryview/id/1015

EDUCATION

Gender Equality in Education

Yisbell Alvaro , Miami Dade College North Campus

http://www.connecther.org/gitw/galleryview/id/1176

Kirusani Leaders

Grace Frome, Castilleja School

http://www.connecther.org/gitw/galleryview/id/1112

Shonirbhorota

Anila Shaheen, Asian University for Women

http://www.connecther.org/gitw/galleryview/id/1011

ENDING VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

(NEW CATEGORY)

Culture Against Women

Phuong Vu Hoang, Hanoi University of Science and Technology

http://www.connecther.org/gitw/galleryview/id/1299

Emotional Abuse

Bujinlkham(July) bayasgalan, North Park University

http://www.connecther.org/gitw/galleryview/id/1093

Flightless

Amanda Neuhouser, Southern Illinois University

http://www.connecther.org/gitw/galleryview/id/1155

GEM’S CHOICE

Project Stand Up

Abdisalam Ahmed Hussein, Amiin Mohamed Abdukadir, Ahmed Khadar, Farhiya Abshir Yusuf, Sabrin Ahmed Omar, Sabri Omar Mohsen, Ali Sudi Abukar, Omar Ahmed Mayow, Asad Aseyr Abdalla, Zakaria Mohamed Abdi, The Fugee School

http://www.connecther.org/gitw/galleryview/id/1225

Street based sex workers of Dhaka City

Neealana Naushin, Asian University for Women, Chittagong

http://www.connecther.org/gitw/galleryview/id/1206

Your Flowers Did Not Fade

Christin Chae, Korea Kent Foreign School

http://www.connecther.org/gitw/galleryview/id/1253

GLOBAL IMPACT

I am Maria

Shafiqua Nawrin Oishi, Asian University for Women

http://www.connecther.org/gitw/galleryview/id/1223

I Lost My Hand in War

Houmphanh Phahongchanh - Teacher Training College

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prqmTsUJMA4&feature=youtu.be

Sex Workers of Dhakka City

Neealana Naushin, Asian University for Women, Chittagong

http://www.connecther.org/gitw/galleryview/id/1206

GREEN IS sponsored by: Ian Somerhalder Foundation

Maatir Chula (The Clay Stove)

Pooja Khati, Asian University for Women

http://www.connecther.org/gitw/galleryview/id/1333

Waste

Lidia Balanovich, Nashua High School North

http://www.connecther.org/gitw/galleryview/id/1344

Where Do Your Clothes Come From?

Amanda Camos, Cardinal Gibbons High School

http://www.connecther.org/gitw/galleryview/id/1326

PEOPLE’S CHOICE

I am Maria

Shafiqua Nawrin Oishi, Asian University for Women

http://www.connecther.org/gitw/galleryview/id/1223

"the truth behind domestic violence" The Movement Project

Syd Scholes, Campo Verde High School

http://www.connecther.org/gitw/galleryview/id/1283

This is 2017

Rae Kanoa, Palos Verdes High School

http://www.connecther.org/gitw/galleryview/id/1162

MOST INNOVATIVE SOLUTION

Fighting the Gender Gap

Briana Berger, F.W. Buchholz High School

http://www.connecther.org/gitw/galleryview/id/1050

STAND UP MEN

It’s Just Locker Room Talk

Susannah Joffe, St. Stephen's Episcopal School

http://www.connecther.org/gitw/galleryview/id/1185

Project Stand Up

Abdisalam Ahmed Hussein, Amiin Mohamed Abdukadir, Ahmed Khadar, Farhiya Abshir Yusuf, Sabrin Ahmed Omar, Sabri Omar Mohsen, Ali Sudi Abukar, Omar Ahmed Mayow, Asad Aseyr Abdalla, Zakaria Mohamed Abdi, The Fugee School

http://www.connecther.org/gitw/galleryview/id/1225

Stand Up Men

Izadora Dau, Lehman College

http://www.connecther.org/gitw/galleryview/id/1343

WOMEN/GIRLS IN STEM

Black Women in STEM

Sydnie Heslop, New Visions Charter High School for the Humanities

http://www.connecther.org/gitw/galleryview/id/1316

Stem Inspiration For This Generation

Jessica Lieng, Relena Lai, Cypress Falls High School

http://www.connecther.org/gitw/galleryview/id/1313

The World I Want to Live in #StemsFromHerAre

Abbie Collette, Sylvie Pryor Rosenstein, Mae Pryor Rosenstein, Abram Collette, Baxter Academy for Technology and Science

http://www.connecther.org/gitw/galleryview/id/1138

Are We the 0s or the 1s

Elizabeth Min, Decatur High School

http://www.connecther.org/gitw/galleryview/id/1046

Women in STEM and their stories

Aubury Jordan Erickson, Florida Polytechnic University