From the Windy City to Berlin, teacher, translator and Femfilmfans founder, Christina Schultz, is an emerging voice around the topics of feminism in film. Her website www.femfilmfans.com focuses on intersectional feminism and supporting women in film and media though reviews and editorials, interviews with and profiles of industry creatives, and highlighting news and upcoming events. Christina’s platform is a well-curated documentation of women’s progress and path forward in a landscape that is changing every day with movements like #TimesUp.

We caught up with Christina and discussed the issues nearest to her heart, which creatives she’s inspired by, and why her mom is her best editor. As this Belle en Argent Muse and editorial-entrepreneur-tour de force shows us, passionate advocacy for women’s stories and empowerment advances women’s opportunities across the creative spectrum. We also love her because, let’s be honest, her favorite literary heroine is a badass transfiguration witch who leads the House of Gryffindor.

We played Two Truths and a Lie with Christina! .....You probably know the rules, but here is a quick refresher--Below, Christina gave us two true fun facts, as well as one that's made up. See if you can guess which one is the lie! View the answer at the bottom of her interview.

I learned Yiddish

I have a great sense of orientation

I can recite the entire dialogue to the film Blazing Saddles

Nickname

Tina

Connect with Christina & Fem Film Fans

Instagram @femfilmfans 

Facebook femfilmfans

 Personal @tinskies

 

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We wanted to share this post from @directedbykells because her story and the message of the video - why representation matters, not just for women, but for women of color (and trans women) - is so so so important, we can’t post enough about it. 👩🏽‍💻 ・・・ She writes: “I became a screenwriter + director because I wanted to change the narrative. Black people I saw on TV weren't the people I saw in my life. I wanted to share that. Media is the easiest way to change the narrative and to change perspectives. Racism is the presence of ignorance and fear. Ignorance is a lack of education and fear a lack of love. I'm here to share both LOVE and EDUCATION. Time for some strong black leads!” Thanks to @netflix for the @strongblacklead campaign and video director @laceyduke! 🙏 ・・・ Follow @femfilans for more empowerment, encouragement and inspiration! ✌️💖 And huge thanks to @directedbykells for sharing the video. You should follow her too! ☺️ ・・・ #RepresentationMatters #blackgirlmagic #strongblacklead #strongblackleads #blackexcellence #netflix #WeWillRizeTogether #righttoberight #rightourstories #rightournarratives #directedbykells #legends #noonewaytobeblack #writingwhileblack #thisisamovement #untoldexperiences #blackness #flipthescript #avaduvernay #spikelee #calebmclaughlin #justinsimien #alfrewoodard #lenawaithe #femfilmfans

A post shared by Femfilmfans (@femfilmfans) on Sep 11, 2018 at 9:24am PDT

List your favorite social media handles to follow

@5050x2020, @yesshecannes, @timesup, @nowthisentertainment, @avodkakindofmom

Home Town

Chicago

Occupation

Teacher and translator

When did you know this is what you wanted to do?

Since I was in high school.

What projects are you working on now?

Femfilmfans is keeping me so busy right now! I have a few interviews to transcribe, new material to write, new logos and a new website URL to launch, I will be visiting some film associations and attending women’s film festivals in Germany. We are growing our network and making connections!

What is your dream project? Or dream collaboration?

I would really like to collaborate with female film festivals on a large scale. Perhaps take care of press and film reviews, maybe even outreach. I would also like to teach more about film and show learners how we can change so much about society for the better by changing the images we watch.

List three (3) accomplishments you are most proud of

Getting my PhD

Moving to Germany (twice)

Growing from past traumas and becoming a better version of myself

Who is your favorite character from a movie?

This is a tough one so I’m going to cheat a bit and list one film/book heroine, Professor McGonagall, and one TV/comic book character, Michonne from TWD.

Who is your favorite filmmaker/writer/director/producer/editor, etc?

My favorite writer-editor is my mom! She sparked my curiosity for learning and my love of film, literature and culture in general. She also helped me to improve my writing and we help edit each other’s work. My favorite filmmakers are Bora Dagtekin and Margarethe von Trotta.

Who do you admire and why? (this can be someone you know or a public figure)

I admire all the strong women fighting to make a change in this crazy world. Women like Emma Watson, Lena Waithe, Tarana Burke, Salma Hayek and others.

What do you feel is the biggest hurdle for women and POC in the film industry?

If you’re a women and a POC you have to fight so hard for respect and to have your voice heard and your stories told. Women have to face mansplaining, sexual harassment and lost opportunities because of the boy’s club.

Did you know in 2016 women made up only 7% of all directors working on the 250 top grossing films?

The numbers make me feel gross and disappointed. Even when I was a kid in the 80s and 90s, becoming a director was never something you considered as a career. Knowing this huge disparity exists makes me wish I had gone to film school!

Do you know women who aspire to be film directors?

I have had the opportunity to interview some really talented young filmmakers from Canada who have made short films. One (Emma Seligman) is having her short film turned into a full length feature, another (Annie Amaya) hopes to become an animator for a studio and yet another (Alicia K. Harris) has her own production company (Sugar Glass) and is having a new project funded right now!

What is one thing you wish you could tell your younger self? What is one wish you have for your future self?

I was a chubby, dorky kid with a big heart so instead of trying to be cool or lose weight, I wish I could tell younger me to love herself.

My wish for the future is to get Femfilmfans up and running with more contributors and 1,000+ followers, all while holding down a full-time job!

Would you ever be interested in taking over our Instagram and Snapchat for a day?

YES

What's your favorite makeup item?

Concealer and Burt’s Bees lip balm

Which is the lie?

I have a great sense of orientation.