Today, FF2 celebrates the exemplary career of dancer, choreographer, and teacher Jawole Willa Jo Zollar. On this day in 1988, Jawole and her dance group Urban Bush Women performed in the multidisciplinary show Heat, staged in one of New York City’s most established avante-garde theaters, The Kitchen. Heat combined dance, poetry, and drama.… read more.
Seven years ago today was the theatrical release of Miss Stevens, the directorial debut of the incomparable Julia Hart.
Julia Hart is an American filmmaker known for the complexity, depth, and heart that she brings to every genre (which, for her, spans from young adult musical romance to crime thriller). Raised by James Hart, a Hollywood screenwriter known for his literary adaptations such as Dracula, Frankenstein, and Hook, Julia was exposed to the world of film from a young age.… read more.
Nine years ago today, Brush With Danger was released in theaters. The extraordinary Livi Zheng wrote, directed, co-produced, and starred in the film!
Livi Zheng is an Indonesian filmmaker whose entrance into the film industry was both unconventional and early. At 15, she was a stuntwoman. She came to the US to attend the University of Washington, where she majored in economics (no doubt influencing her future as a producer).… read more.
Today, FF2 celebrates the work of artist Malcah Zeldis. On this day twenty-six years ago, Malcah and her daughter Yona published Anne Frank. The book, with colorful, impactful illustrations by Malcah and words by her daughter, tells Anne Frank’s story for younger readers. The picture book strives to highlight not only Anne’s strength, but the importance of our commitment to ensure that Anne’s history never be repeated.… read more.
Today is the ten-year anniversary of the film Mother of George, making it the perfect day to celebrate the fabulous woman who brought the film to life, Danai Gurira!
Danai Gurira is a Zimbabwean-American actress, known for her roles in popular television series and films such as The Walking Dead and Black Panther.… read more.
I did not have a big bat mitzvah. Like Bree and Danny Friedman of Netflix’s recent You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah (played by Idina Menzel and Adam Sandler respectively), my parents were not fans of big b’nei mitzvah parties. “When I got bar mitzvahed, we had a party in Grandma’s basement” wasn’t something my dad ever said, but I lost track of how many times I heard “It’s not about the party” during the process.… read more.
