Mission Statement: Our festival celebrates the diversity of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning (LGBTQ) communities through screening and discussing riveting documentaries, awe-inspiring features, quirky comedies, and shorts. We embrace difference, promote equality, challenge and educate through the powerful medium of film.
ABOUT US
Ellen Mahaffy (right) and Pam Forman (left) are the co-executive directors of the Eau Queer Film Festival. They initially created the festival in 2010 with a small Differential Tuition Grant. Currently, it is funded through the Blugold Differential Tuition Grant. For the past three years they have taught an immersion course through Women’s Studies that brings students to San Francisco to vet films at the Frameline International LGBT Film Festival. Students write critiques of queer films, and then work together to run the festival.
When they are not teaching an immersion course that encompasses queer theory, film criticism, and filmmaking for Women’s Studies, they are associate professors in Communication and Journalism (Mahaffy teaches digital communication, which includes multimedia technologies and graphic design) and Sociology (Forman teaches courses on gender). They are producing a documentary film about students’ experiences in the immersion course and EQFF.
Jerrika (left) is a Social Justice major at the University Wisconsin - Eau Claire. She is passionate about music, movies, and equality. She aspires to spread the word of peace and justice through her music and writing.
The name's Amber Smith (right) and I'm studying Secondary English Education with a Learning Disabilities minor. My favorite pastime consists of singing the Lion King song while holding my cats up in the air...just like baby Simba.
This is Michael Federspiel. He is this year's Eau Queer Film Festival Director. He is a Liberal Studies Major with an emphasis in Social Justice. He is a member of activist groups including the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, Project 515 and Dismantling Racism Student Caucus. He is also a Sexual Assault Victim Advocate. Merging his activist interests and film-going experiences, directing the Eau Queer Film Festival is one of the greatest opportunities he has ever been given. He is always waiting for the opportunity to go to another festival. He is excited to create an amazing festival in Eau Claire, Wisconsin for 2013.
My name is Nathaniel Cooper (left), and I am a junior at University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire working towards a degree in Communications and Journalism. I am taking the San Francisco Seminar because of my love for film, and my belief that all people have the right to be treated equally. Film is a powerful medium that can create and inspire social change, and while we may not change the world, we will change the hearts and minds of Eau Claire students through the power of film.
Austin (right) is a Women's Studies major at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. He is a member of the queer activist and social organization on campus PRIDE and also works with a local queer youth group Q2. He loves activism, creativity and being a Powerful Queer Warrior.
Dylan Vorass (left) is a Journalism Major and Music Minor entering his sophomore year at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. He first got involved with LGBTQ issues through UWEC Campus P.R.I.D.E., where he is currently the Secretary. He took the San Francisco Travel Seminar to get immersed in queer culture, improve his camera and journalism skills, and have fun!
Due to most of his species being hunted down, JR Smathers (right) has become one of the last living unicorns on the face of the earth. JR is extremely interested in multimedia. The LGBTQ travel seminar has provided a fantastic opportunity to watch and to create a film.
Elina Lane (34) (left) is a recent graduate who majored in Society and Advocacy. As a queer person and ally to all other identities, she hopes to add lived experiences to her vast body of knowledge. Also, she is always craving Indian food. Always.
My name is Neil Robmann (right) and I am a senior at UWEC double majoring in accounting and actuarial science. I am the treasurer for PRIDE at UWEC and have been in Eau Claire for a year after spending 3 years at UW - Platteville.
Ryan Spaight (right) is a sophomore Spanish major with a double minor in journalism and women's studies. In visiting San Francisco, he is excited to see queer foreign films and speak with activists--people who really care about what they're doing. Ryan would love to drive you to the airport, but unfortunately he is busy that day.
Michael Federspiel(left) see above for bio.
Pam Forman & Ellen Mahaffy
Executive Directors
Michael Federspiel
Film Festival Director
Jerrika Christianson & Amber Smith
Dylan Vorass & JR Smathers
Nate Cooper & Austin Shimko
Ryan Spaight & Michael Federspiel
Elina Lane & Neil Robmann
Video Blog Production and Traffic
Programming Commitee
Website Manager and Trailier Production
Writing and Video Blog Production
Publicity
Writing Comitee
Programming Comitee
Finance Director
Film Festival Director
Hannah Fechner is a senior BFA Graphic Design major from Burnsville, MN. While trying to build her portfolio and gain valuable real-world experience, she has taken on the graphic design position for this year’s film festival. She enjoys concerts, running, and independent films. She dislikes when people ask, “what?” too many times (because by the third time, the person should have just pretended to hear what the first person was saying anyway).
Graphic Designer
Hannah Fechner
