I have been away for eight days, out meeting some of our stupendous alumnae in Dallas and New York, but I came home ON TIME, ON PURPOSE, to be here for the opening of the Citizen Jane Film Festival.
Hard to believe it's only three years old.
Ever know a 3-year-old? They dance into their lives. They express their emotions absolutely and without filter. They LOVE (LOVE LOVE LOVE) those who love them back. And they say all kinds of outrageous things, prompting you to stop, pause and truly LISTEN (and think: REALLY? Is THAT how you're seeing the world? Very cool.....)
Come to think of it, that sounds exactly like CItizen Jane: Engaged. Embracing of women. Exploratory. Exuberant. And dancing into our lives.
I made the opening reception last night (very cool), and spent most of the afternoon at RagTag: The collection of short films, featuring work of our very own faculty and students, was moving, troubling, and compelling (what else could you hope for?)
I'm off to tonight's presentations of Monica and David, and It's Kind of a Funny Story.
Tomorrow morning is the filmmakers brunch, The Secret Life of Girls (and I am taking my very own girl to see it) and Winter's Bone.
Three years old. Already exuberant, extraordinary and celebratory of the vision, talent, passion and commitment of women artists.
It makes me so proud to know that it's the brainchild and passionate work of our own Kerri Yost and her co-director Paula Elias, who have invested more time, energy, and talent than anybody could possibly keep track of.
And that it is supported, staffed, celebrated and informed by our very own Stephens women -- dozens of our students who are living the festival all weekend (not to mention in the weeks that preceded it!) to help ensure that it is a seamless, flawless and exceptional experience for the hundreds of film lovers who are crowding RagTag and other venues.
Our thanks to all of them for an event that makes a difference -- to our community, to our students, to the college's reputation as a women's film program, and to the work of female artists everywhere.
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