[UPDATED] Reel Girl Talk: Panelist Announcements!

Feeling down because you’ve been working 9 to 5 (or longer) all week? Well, we have some good news: the launch of Reel Girl Talk, a new discussion-based spinoff of the regular MUFF screenings, is just around the corner! And do we ever have some special guests in store for this event, which kicks off with a screening of 1980s girl-powered comedy 9 to 5! (Sing it with us now… )

Although we, sadly, couldn’t get Dolly Parton to come out to Reel Girl Talk’s launch and do a private performance (cries), these radical ladies will be there to join us for a post-movie panel about equity in the workplace (cheers)!

MODERATOR

Chandler Levack, Founder of Feminist Live Reads

Filmmaker and TIFF Digital Editor Chandler is not only a former Mini MUFFian (she wrote Lunchbox Loser, which we screened before Wayne’s World last fall!), she’s a major supporter of the feminist film community in Canada, having founded Feminist Live Reads, an all-female screenplay reading series. Before she jets off to the next live read (Ocean’s Eleven in Montreal!), she’ll be heading up the first ever R.G.T. panel.   

PANELISTS

Imogen Grace and Joella Crichton, Founders of The Bechdel Bill

This powerhouse duo founded The Bechdel Bill, an organization asking producers, production companies and filmmakers to pledge that 80 per cent or more of their films will pass the—you guessed it!—Bechdel Test. They graciously agreed to take part in the premiere R.G.T. panel and we think they’ll bring some awesome insights on how we can encourage the industry to make more films like 9 to 5 (hello, three adult female leads talking to each other about, yes, a dude, but also a bunch of other issues in their lives!).

Emily Milling and Jenny Tang, Creators of Her Name Is

Another Awesome Ladies Working Together alert! (Sensing a theme here? You should.) These two gals have collaborated on the totally awesome podcast Her Name Is…, which is focused on profiling independent women creating content in Toronto and surrounding areas. We can’t wait to hear what they have to share about ways to support women workers both on screen and off! (P.S. – Their new season starts this fall!)

Jessica Sikora - Labour Activist, Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU)

Jessica is a passionate activist for worker's rights. As the President of OPSEU Local 586 she represents almost 400 social service workers in Toronto, a female-dominated workforce. She also serves as a representative for young workers in OPSEU, the Toronto York Region Labour Council, and the Ontario Federation of Labour. Her work in labour brings her face-to-face with the continued daily challenges of working women. Jessica sees 9 to 5 as an important snapshot of where we've come from and how much further we still have to go to win gender equity in the workplace. 

Stay tuned for more updates on R.G.T’s launch and screening of 9 to 5! We may just have a few more surprises (panel-related and otherwise) to come. If you haven't RSVPd yet, GET ON IT.