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Advocating for Female Filmmakers Michelle Voss shares her passion to bring gender equality to the worlds of film and media. By Erica Todd Photo by Rudy Arocha “Where are all the women?” This was the question filmmaker, businesswoman and role model Michelle Voss asked herself nearly 10 years ago. At the time, she was making her documentary, Velocity. Although she had a supportive and talented team of men on board, she had to stop and consider why she was one of only two women working on the production of the film. “I was really discouraged by the fact that there weren’t women for me to call on to make the project,” Voss remembers. Since then, it’s a topic she has given much consideration. Through her personal experiences, engagement with literature and discussions with
Femme Film Texas Michelle Voss’ nonprofit organization, Femme Film Texas, promotes practical and theoretical film, and media education for girls. Founded after the completion of Velocity, the nonprofit has been instrumental in encouraging young female filmmakers in a number of ways. One avenue is through the Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders. Voss suggested a film program to the school’s principal when it first opened in 2007, which has turned in to a four-year media track with a full-time teacher. “You can be a media major now.
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You should know fellow women in the realms of film and media, Voss recognizes a gender gap in filmmaking. She is now a strong advocate for providing women, particularly the next generation, with the tools and confidence to become great media makers. “There are only a handful of women out there who are making films that are seen in your local Cineplex, a blockbuster type of film,” she stresses. According to her, women account for less than four percent of today’s directors. These are startling figures, which can be compounded by social attitudes. Voss had a moment of clarity one day when she realized that she too had been caught up in the collective ideal that only men made movies. “I was thinking about me sitting outside the CMA [Communications]
That was not originally part of their plan,” Voss explains. Femme Film Texas also holds a camp for students, which also began at the Ann Richards School. The program has evolved, offering an overnight camp for girls throughout the nation in the summer. Voss stresses the importance of the program, which is unlike anything else in the country. The camp is completely free to the girls, who learn about media literacy, screenwriting, directing and acting. This year, the girls made a horror film and came away with so much more. Through this valuable resource, the students gain
self-awareness and self-esteem by seeing that they have the ability to make media. “It’s a transformative experience. It changes girls’ lives,” Voss says. “We have some girls who have gone on to study at the RTF department now, or are on the Eastern seaboard at a liberal-arts college studying film or something like that. So for so many young women, it’s changed their lives.” Unfortunately, running a program like Femme Film Texas is not cheap. The organization relies on the support of others through the form of donations and volunteering. Currently, the group is in need
of help with its website. Running the program is also very laborintensive; just organizing the camp is a year-long commitment. Voss works hard to ensure that the girls get the best out of the program. Through working to keep the curriculum updated, each group of students can reflect on topical issues and use current equipment. For Voss, the hard work pays off through the positive effect that the unique program has on its students. “We do it for girls who wouldn’t be able to do it otherwise,” she says. For more information, visit femmefilmtexas.org.