Shorts: Beyond Cyborgs and Fembots

Event Information

Life without the WWW, our tiny screens and technology is now nearly unthinkable and has a crucial role not only in shaping our lives but also in the discourse on feminism. Not only does it allow for mobilizing beyond geographical location, but is a tool of self-expression that offers autonomy and lets us imagine future utopias or dystopias. While cyber-feminism has been around for a good 20+ years, the post-cyberfeminist world now offer endless opportunities but also pose new issues and questions. This program includes a number of short films all related to different use of technology – be it in our everyday lives or in the future.

Films

Gemini / 2018 / Mily Mumford / Canada / 13 min

Angie is a popular figure in a near future VR Game “Gemini.” On her way back home she meets a man called Chad on the subway platform. Through their conversation, Chad recognizes her voice and realizes they both play “Gemini” and she is the game’s star player. As sparks fly, they discover they have a past- which exposes the dark side of virtual reality and gaming.

Like Me / 2018 / Jessica Bishopp / United Kingdom / 5 min

‘Like Me’ explores how teenage girls use social media to create and construct their identity and how this impacts them. Reflecting on the relationship between identity and the internet, as 2019 marks the 30th anniversary of the World Wide Web. Created for the Barbican’s ‘The Art of Change’, in partnership with The Smalls. This film is the product of an all female crew collaboration.

V/IRL / 2018 / Malia Bruker / United States / 11 min

Self-proclaimed feminist nihilist Lena NW creates post-internet video games, rap, and comics. NW’s hypersexual art engages the complex relationship between commodification, domination, and self-empowerment in the internet age. Combining traditional documentary and virtual surrealism, V/IRL explores not only the artist’s themes, but also the formal techniques of contemporary, transdisciplinary art.

Andromeda / 2018 / Emily Dean / United States, Australia / 15 min

ANDROMEDA is a sci-fi short film about an android who, through her friendship with a little girl, becomes alive.

Upload to Story / 2018 / Emma Pål Brunzell / Sweden / 11 min

Two friends are poor and bored. They decide to take criminal actions, as they document the act through an app.

Hello, Rain / C.J. Obasi / Nigeria / 30 min

Through an alchemical combination of juju and technology, a scientist-witch creates wigs which grant her and her friends supernatural powers. But when their powers grow uncontrollable, she must stop them by any means.

If you’ve got a passion for technology, you may be interested in our workshop WOMEN* & TECH – How to Shoot a Video Tutorial!