What Makes a Film/Media Feminist
I believe that a film feminist is anyone who makes a film (either documentary or narrative) that brings awareness to the issues of gender, race, class, and sexuality. A media feminist is someone who does the same thing, but uses any type of media, not just film. Either way a feminist is someone who works toward ultimate tolerance. The feminist film and media makers that I have encountered have been mostly in class. Katja Van Garner, Jane Campion, Bell Hooks, Cheryl Dunye, Kimberly Pierce, Julia Query, Aishah Simmons, Byron Hurt, and Deepa Mehta. In another one of my classes I was shown one of Jane Campion's first shot films called Peel, which was interesting to see. I enjoyed seeing the film, perhaps more than others in the class, because I knew who Campion was and knew some of her other work. I do not think a filmmaker/mediamaker needs to say that they are a feminist filmmaker in order for it to count. However, if the individual is strongly opposed to being called a feminist filmmaker then I would not consider their work feminist. If the artist does not make a stance either way, then it is up to the individual observer to decide if the work should be considered feminist, and there will be no right or wrong answer. In my opinion, anyone who makes a film or piece of media with the goal of working ultimate tolerance exceptance then I consider their work to be feminist.