Blog

  • OUR PUBLIC GOOD

    CCSFOUR PUBLIC GOOD: an experimental documentary and community news project by filmmaker/writer, Molly Hankwitz.

    OUR PUBLIC GOOD, a work-in-progress about CCSF; its students, faculty and staff. As a resident of San Francisco for over twenty years and as an artist engaged with media culture, I have created this work in light of the shocking efforts to privatize CCSF and discredit faculty, staff, and students with threats of closure. I focus on what members of the academic community say about the value the school and on its benefit to students and the city as a progressive, multi-cultural institution. The work functions both as community engagement and counter spin to the negativity of mainstream media towards CCSF since last year. Various short interviews with students at Ocean Campus, faculty members speaking from Mission campus, and short statements from ex-faculty now working in the UC system are presented. There is also an ongoing collection of digital portraits of students, faculty and staff in the CCSF community and an original manifesto and call to action by poet, Walter Alter, commissioned for the piece. Alter attended CCSF in the 1970s.

    OUR PUBLIC GOOD started in summer of 2013 with support from the CCSFcommunity, ATA and Found SF. The first phase of the project is featured in the “window” gallery of Artists’ Television Access with audio audible on Valencia Street.

     

    I Ms. Hankwitz thanks the following organizations: ATA, CCSF, Found SF, Voices of Immigrants Demonstrating Achievement, Mindshadow Media, SFSU Design and Industry, and SF History Project, and thanks to: Walter Alter, Katie Burge, Craig Baldwin, Chris Carlsson, LisaRuth Elliot, Li Miao Lovett, Suki O’Kane, Alice E. Rogoff. Special thanks to David Cox and Amber Straus. Participants appearing in the work are deeply appreciated.

    Opening Party! Thursday, January 16th, 6 – 8pm,

    Music and refreshments. There will be onsite video recording during the opening. Share your story and experience of CCSF and become part of the visual project. Please join us. Bring a friend!

  • Screaming Queens

    screaming queens“Screaming Queens” 
    by Susan Stryker and Victor Silverman
    Emmy Award winner for Outstanding Achievement, Historical/Cultural Program
    Filmmaker Susan Stryker in person! 
    “Screaming Queens” tells the story of a little known but critical moment in San Francisco history that everyone should know about: Three years before the Stonewall rebellion in New York, a revolt occurred in San Francisco’s Tenderloin District at Compton’s Cafeteria. In August of 1966, transgender members of the community were fed up with police abuse and fought back, inducing a move toward justice by local community and government. “Screaming Queens” documents this remarkable act of bravery, and explains the resulting efforts towards social and economic equality for transgender people, connecting to the social justice movements of the 1960’s, and still resonating today.
    This beautiful and inspiring film is essential viewing at this moment in history, with right-wing backlash against human rights being played out nationally and in California, where anti-queer groups are petitioning to overturn AB1266, a law that protects transgender school students.
    The Compton’s rebellion is as important as any event in the civil rights movements, and is relevant to current times. We all need courage to stand up for our rights to privacy and to continue to live in San Francisco. “Screaming Queens” helps us to understand the history of San Francisco as a place where crucial social movements began. We need to preserve the revolutionary character of San Francisco as it’s threatened by economic forces that are reshaping the City. We need to support all members of our community, across the gender spectrum.
    This film is important for everyone to see, because it fills a gap in historical knowledge. It also helps us to understand our city, queer rights, and human rights.
    “Screaming Queens” can help us to be brave, and to uphold our right to just be who we are.
    In conjunction with this screening, ATA gallery has a wall drawing that commemorates the Compton’s Cafeteria rebellion, by San Francisco artist Claire Bain. She organized this screening as part of a series of programs on Systems-Power-Identity. “Screaming Queens” gave her the courage to stand up for her own rights.
    Susan Stryker, PhD  Is a historian, author, filmmaker, and Professor of Gender and Women’s Studies at the University of Arizona. She has won a Lambda Literary Award for “The Transgender Studies Reader” and an Emmy for “Screaming Queens”
    Victor Silverman, PhD Is Professor and Chair of the History Department at Pomona College. He is the author of several books, articles, plays, and screenplays, as well as having worked in theater and dance. He is the recipient of many awards, including an Emmy for “Screaming Queens.”
    see also: Screaming Queens trailer: http://vimeo.com/1667849
    More information on the filmmakers:
    Susan Stryker:
    Victor Silverman:
  • OUR PUBLIC GOOD (opening reception)

    CCSFAn experimental documentary and community news project by filmmaker/writer, Molly Hankwitz.

    OUR PUBLIC GOOD, a work-in-progress about CCSF; its students, faculty and staff. As a resident of San Francisco for over twenty years and as an artist engaged with media culture, I have created this work in light of the shocking efforts to privatize CCSF and discredit faculty, staff, and students with threats of closure. I focus on what members of the academic community say about the value the school and on its benefit to students and the city as a progressive, multi-cultural institution. The work functions both as community engagement and counter spin to the negativity of mainstream media towards CCSF since last year. Various short interviews with students at Ocean Campus, faculty members speaking from Mission campus, and short statements from ex-faculty now working in the UC system are presented. There is also an ongoing collection of digital portraits of students, faculty and staff in the CCSF community and an original manifesto and call to action by poet, Walter Alter, commissioned for the piece. Alter attended CCSF in the 1970s.

    OUR PUBLIC GOOD started in summer of 2013 with support from the CCSFcommunity, ATA and Found SF. The first phase of the project is featured in the “window” gallery of Artists’ Television Access with audio audible on Valencia Street.

    I Ms. Hankwitz thanks the following organizations: ATA, CCSF, Found SF, Voices of Immigrants Demonstrating Achievement, Mindshadow Media, SFSU Design and Industry, and SF History Project, and thanks to: Walter Alter, Katie Burge, Craig Baldwin, Chris Carlsson, LisaRuth Elliot, Li Miao Lovett, Suki O’Kane, Alice E. Rogoff. Special thanks to David Cox and Amber Straus. Participants appearing in the work are deeply appreciated.

    Opening Party! Thursday, January 16th, 6 – 8pm,

    Music and refreshments. There will be onsite video recording during the opening. Share your story and experience of CCSF and become part of the visual project. Please join us. Bring a friend!