Social Activism Fellowship

Do you have a demonstrated commitment to social justice and an interest in documentary filmmaking and new technology? Working Films is looking for you! Apply for the George Stoney Fellowship by March 31, and you could assist in conceptualization, writing and research for Working Films campaigns. Regular responsibilities include sitting in as a colleague in all development meetings between filmmakers, activists and other Working Films staff, and traveling when necessary to rough-cut screenings and community organizing meetings.

Working Films has a solid track record of linking social interest documentary films with activist outreach, including supporting a discussion tour of Sandi Simcha DuBowski's Trembling Before G-d, the story of gay and lesbian Hasidic and Orthodox Jews grappling with the intersection of their sexual identity and their faith.

The fellowship is expected to last 8-10 weeks in the Wilmington, NC office, starting in May or June 2008. The Fellow will serve as part-time, temporary staff, earning $10-15 an hour. For more information, visit www.workingfilms.org.

GIRLS ROCK!

Over the weekend, I had the pleasure of checking out a new documentary called Girls Rock! Though it was not new information to me that girls did indeed rock, the subject matter was certainly intriguing.

Two male filmmakers, Arne Johnson and Shane King, spent a week in Oregon at the Rock 'n' Roll Camp for Girls, a place where young women ages 8 - 18 gather to learn not only how to play music and write songs with fellow campers, but also take self-defense classes, talk about overcoming negative body image, and other very cool self-esteem-building activities.

Founded in 2001, the camp has grown from a tiny day camp held on the Portland State University Campus to a four-session behemoth with its own facilities and wait-listed attendance. All adult mentors attend the camp on a volunteer basis and work day and night to ensure the campers get the best week possible.

Girls Rock! follows four campers' first Rock Camp experience. Palace (pictured) is 7 years old and has an excellent scream of a voice. Amelia, 8, is a creative genius who doesn't shy away from noise rock. Laura, 15, is a free spirited young woman who vacillates between loving and hating herself -- and ultimately gives an incredible end-of-week performance. And Misty, 17, has overcome battles with drug addiction and eating disorders to learn the bass and feel comfortable up on stage.

The film features interviews with a ton of musicians, notably out rockers Carrie Brownstein (Sleater-Kinney) and Beth Ditto (The Gossip).

Girls Rock! is making its very limited nationwide tour. For cities and dates, please click here and support independent filmmaking!