Citizen Jane Film Festival ventures back to Columbia this weekend for its fourth straight year. Started in 2008, Citizen Jane transforms Columbia into a mecca for film enthusiasts. The festival highlights women’s contribution to the film industry.
“Our goal is to support and celebrate female film makers”, Citizen Jane co-director Paula Elias says. “What we know is that about 7 percent of the top grossing films are made by a woman, which means that over 90 percent of what you see in the multiplex are films made by men. With women making up 50 percent of the population, they should have more of a say in something that is one of the most powerful cultural mediums. So, we decided that a film festival would be a really good way to celebrate that.”
What sets Citizen Jane apart from other national women’s film festivals is its attention to variety. The festival features documentaries, narratives, short films and experimental films, which is unusual compared to other festivals of its kind. In addition, Citizen Jane tries to bring in one filmmaker from every film in order to discuss her work and career and understand her backstory.
This year’s Cirque du Cinema theme stems from the roles women held at the turn of the century. Confined by family and a constricting wardrobe, women at the time were trapped by society’s laws making them unable to have a job, be visibly strong or have careers. The circus, however, was a much more utilitarian world in which women could attain careers and thrive in an equal environment.
“In many ways we see the woman’s roles in the circus as an inspiration as what women in film should be today,” Elias says. “Along with, having a circus theme is a great idea for a party.”
Stephens College’s Kimball Ballroom will be transformed into a big top Friday night, complete with aerialist, popcorn and a miniature pony dressed as a clown. Open to the public from 5:30 to 7 p.m., participants can enjoy the circus atmosphere and take a hay ride to the Stephens stables transformed into Citizen Jane’s newest film venue, the Rustic Ring. The three-ring circus continues through out the week with films showing in Windsor Auditorium and Charters Auditorium.
Citizen Jane will host CJ’s Electric Circus on Saturday night at the Bridge on Walnut Street. This annual dance party will have performers, videos, lazar lights and, of course, lots of dancing.
Stop-motion animation troop Tiny Circus has joined the Columbia community by creating a film with a selection of Columbia public schools’ gifted students. This week, 375 students created the film, “Ghost Trap,” which will play before the opening night film at the Rustic Ring and before the closing film at the Missouri Theater.
The topics of this year’s 19 films range from a drug addict turned clean to a Tennessee camp for Southern Belles, as well as a few films from local female filmmakers.
“I suggest that if people can only do one thing at the festival it would be attending the closing night,” Elias says. “It’s a really great way to get a taste of Citizen Jane.”
Tickets are available at the Citizen Jane Film Festival box office as well as the venues, pending availability. All of the films are $8 for general admission and discounted for students and seniors at $6. The closing night film will be held at the Missouri Theater. Closing night costs $10 for general admission and $8 for students and seniors.
All information about the festival and its films can be found at www.citizenjanefilm.org or the festival’s Facebook page.