Pioneers in Skirts Picked to Screen at SXSW EDU

Pioneers in Skirts at SXSW

Los Angeles, CA, Release: February 8, 2023. For Immediate Release

A movie about ambition, Pioneers in Skirts is one of just three films invited to screen under the Accessibility & Inclusion track at the SXSW EDU® Conference being held March 6-9, 2023 in Austin, Texas.

SXSW EDU is a reflection of the world’s most critical social issues as seen through the lens of education. This year’s event will bring together the learner, the practitioner, the entrepreneur, and the visionary to share their groundbreaking stories, tackle complex issues, and build re-imagined paths forward.

On Wednesday March 8th, the festival will screen the documentary “Pioneers in Skirts: A Movie About Ambition.” The screening will be followed by a discussion with the filmmakers and their invited guests.

March 8, 2023 / 11:00am CT / Austin Convention Center, Ballroom A

“We are honored to be joined on stage by two highly experienced Educators for a post-screening conversation about how to use the power of this film to positively interact with and influence students,” shared Director Ashley Maria. “We’re also extremely excited the festival gave us the March 8th slot — which is International Women’s Day!”

International Women’s Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity. #EmbraceEquity

The Wake Young Women’s Leadership Academy (WYWLA) Educators, Sharon Cuffee and Frank Reed, will share their experiences of how the film helped their students self-reflect about their own lives, careers, and how they feel about the topics in the film.

WYWLA, located in Raleigh, North Carolina, has hosted two movie screenings in front of students, one via a LIVE Zoom event and another in a school venue. “Pioneers in Skirts proved to have a long-term impact at the school and with teachers,” described Producer Lea-Ann W. Berst. “Even though this is why we made the film, it’s always humbling to hear how it becomes a catalyst for meaningful conversations about awareness and opportunities.”

ABOUT THE FILM

In a portrait of perseverance and determination, the Pioneers in Skirts filmmakers, Ashley Maria and Lea-Ann W. Berst, follow the journeys of 3 unforgettable girls on a robotics team, their fathers, and Lily, a woman fearful her pregnancy news will fault her raise negotiations. The film uses Ashley’s own story as a female director in Hollywood as the through line while also featuring fellow pioneering women and topic experts who have solutions to share.

ABOUT SXSW EDU

As a community of diverse people who are united around a like-minded vision for the future, SXSW EDU serves as a place for attendees to renew their purpose in practice from both a personal and professional perspective. It is a place to reinforce the core principles of teaching and learning as well as an opportunity to express your creativity and passion for education. SXSW EDU is a component of the South by Southwest® family of conferences and festivals that has grown from 800 to over 8,000 registrants in the last decade. Join the passionate and innovative community at SXSW EDU, March 6-9, 2023.

Pioneers in Skirts to Screen at SXSW EDU

SXSW EDU official selection

Pioneers in Skirts to Screen at the Acclaimed SXSW EDU Conference and Festival

The daughter-mother filmmaking team will attend with their special guests from North Carolina’s Wake Young Women’s Leadership Academy.

Los Angeles, CA, Release: February 8, 2023. For Immediate Release

A movie about ambition, Pioneers in Skirts is one of just three films invited to screen under the Accessibility & Inclusion track at the SXSW EDU® Conference being held March 6-9, 2023 in Austin, Texas.

SXSW EDU is a reflection of the world’s most critical social issues as seen through the lens of education. This year’s event will bring together the learner, the practitioner, the entrepreneur, and the visionary to share their groundbreaking stories, tackle complex issues, and build re-imagined paths forward.

post screening discussion
On Wednesday March 8th, the festival will screen the documentary “Pioneers in Skirts: A Movie About Ambition.” The screening will be followed by a discussion with the filmmakers and their invited guests.

“We are honored to be joined on stage by two highly experienced Educators for a post-screening conversation about how to use the power of this film to positively interact with and influence students,” shared Director Ashley Maria. “We’re also extremely excited the festival gave us the March 8th slot — which is International Women’s Day!”

International Women’s Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity. #EmbraceEquity

The Wake Young Women’s Leadership Academy (WYWLA) Educators, Sharon Cuffee and Frank Reed, will share their experiences of how the film helped their students self-reflect about their own lives, careers, and how they feel about the topics in the film.

WYWLA, located in Raleigh, North Carolina, has hosted two movie screenings in front of students, one via a LIVE Zoom event and another in a school venue. “Pioneers in Skirts proved to have a long-term impact at the school and with teachers,” described Producer Lea-Ann W. Berst. “Even though this is why we made the film, it’s always humbling to hear how it becomes a catalyst for meaningful conversations about awareness and opportunities.”

ABOUT THE FILM

In a portrait of perseverance and determination, the Pioneers in Skirts filmmakers, Ashley Maria and Lea-Ann W. Berst, follow the journeys of 3 unforgettable girls on a robotics team, their fathers, and Lily, a woman fearful her pregnancy news will fault her raise negotiations. The film uses Ashley’s own story as a female director in Hollywood as the through line while also featuring fellow pioneering women and topic experts who have solutions to share.

March 8 SXSW EDU speakers

ABOUT SXSW EDU

As a community of diverse people who are united around a like-minded vision for the future, SXSW EDU serves as a place for attendees to renew their purpose in practice from both a personal and professional perspective. It is a place to reinforce the core principles of teaching and learning as well as an opportunity to express your creativity and passion for education. SXSW EDU is a component of the South by Southwest® family of conferences and festivals that has grown from 800 to over 8,000 registrants in the last decade. Join the passionate and innovative community at SXSW EDU, March 6-9, 2023.

Download the Movie Theme Song: “Freeway”

Listen to the song, Freeway
“Pioneers in Skirts” is an Emmy-nominated documentary that follows filmmaker Ashley Maria as she explores the barriers that can limit the pioneering ambitions of women and girls.

In the film we follow the journey of 3 ambitious teen girls on a robotics team – Maddy, Sophia, and Iman – to understand how they have nurtured their ambition at a young age.

Maddy’s story included meeting her band mates from “The Controll Freex,” which also includes her sister Miasol. Miasol wrote and “The Controll Freex” recorded our movie theme song!

As you can imagine, we were so impressed with this girl-power song. Written by then 12 year old Miasol E. Yara, the band recorded it when she was just 13 years old.

Crank up the speakers and get pumped up before your next big meeting or event with “Freeway”, the “Pioneers in Skirts” theme song! Performed by Miasol E. Yara, Madeline Yara, Savannah Trautman, and Libby Gaertner, click below to download “Freeway“ for only 99¢!   

AMAZON: 99¢ DOWNLOAD      |       ITUNES: 99¢ DOWNLOAD

You can stream the song on SPOTIFY too!

Lyrics

Driving down a freeway with my guitar
Making my own path, I’m going far
Tired of traveling on the same road
Over and over and over
I’ll carry my own weight, I’ll carry the load

I’m on a Freeway
Nothing can slow me down, not even you and all the world
I’m on a Freeway
Cruisin’ on my own through life now I’m my o-o-o-own gir-irl

Thinking about when I’ll find my place here
I see through the struggle and now my ways clear
Life keeps going through the motions
Over and over and over
Hopping over boundaries, flying over oceans

I’m on a Freeway
Nothing can slow me down, not even you and all the world
I’m on a Freeway
Cruisin’ on my own through life now I’m my o-o-o-own gir-irl

Sometimes I might fail
But I’ll push myself up tall
No more easy trail
Cause now I’ve heard the call…the call…the c-a-a-all!

I’m on a Freeway
Nothing can slow me down, not even you and all the world
I’m on a Freeway
Cruisin’ on my own through life now I’m my o-o-o-own gir-irl

I’m on a Freeway
Nothing can slow me down, not even you and all the world
I’m on a Freeway
Cruisin’ on my own through life now I’m my o-o-o-own gir-irl

By Miasol E. Yara

⇑ meet Maddy ⇑

⇑ meet Miasol and the rest of “The Controll Freex” ⇑

EDU Lessons Learned

EDU movie screening tips

EDU Movie Event - Lessons Learned

We spoke with Pioneers in Skirts EDU group screening hosts to find out about their experience screening our film. We asked them, “what worked for you?”, “what didn’t work?”, and “what would you do differently in the future?”.

Thanks to the generosity and openness of these dedicated educators, we were able to compile a valuable checklist of ‘what to do’ and ‘what not to do’ for schools to refer to when planning their movie event!

#1: You must do the work to drive up attendance

Filling seats and growing interest for the movie screening is the hard part and, since you can’t rely on teachers to be your PR team you need to —

Start promotional efforts early, and be consistent with the delivery.

  • TIPS:
    • Make the movie event about (and involve) your students. When a student finds something that truly interests them, they will deepen their involvement.
    • When handing over a movie promotional role to a student, you must help the student feel comfortable asking for help.

WATCH VIDEO #1

Brainstorm with students on promotional strategies that will work in your environment.

  • TIPS:
    • Walk the classrooms and ask students for their input.
    • Offer door prizes students want — make it fun for them
    • Recruit teacher sponsors who can help you focus on segments of targeted students (vs targeting all students).
    • Ask students for help managing student PR efforts. Give students creative rights. 
    • Download the poster file from the Pioneers in Skirts Media Kit to print and ask students to distribute them throughout the school.

   
Communicate the “why” your audience should attend your event. It’ll get people excited about your event — including your students.

  • TIPS:
    • Set your event apart…plan music, career booths, invite a filmmaker or a subject-matter-expert to be part of your event — make it fun and impactful.
    • Build buzz before the event happens with:
      • school newspaper or video interviews of teachers, other students, and/or the Pioneers in Skirts filmmakers, or
      • a contest that involves students.

   
Prepare for your audience reactions. Educators suggest for you to pre-screen the film with a small group of students to gauge viewpoints in advance of your event.

  • TIP: Send students to the WATCH page for them to view the movie at home prior to the small group of student viewpoint discussion. 

    
Ask students to be part of a post-screening panel — and ask one to be the moderator.

  • TIP: If you have one, ask the student moderator to help manage student promotional efforts.

How We Help

  • We’ve made the movie available for rent at Vimeo Virtual Cinema. If you’d like to plan a pre-screening of the film at school (in front of a very small number of students/teachers), you can use this option. [this option is NOT for group screenings]    
  • The Pioneers in Skirts Media Kit provides artwork for promotional efforts (poster, editable memes, invitation video, film stills).  If you can’t find what you’re looking for, feel free to reach out and tell us what you need!
  • We provide very affordable options for hiring a filmmaker to speak to students. Complete our simple online Speaker Request Form to inquire about bringing a filmmaker to your event in person or virtually.    
  • We’ve created product give-aways you can order, a music playlist to play as students enter the auditorium, and a link to the theme song so that you can set your event apart!
Group Swag
Pioneers in Skirts swag
Individual Swag
Curated Spotify Playlist
Set the Tone w/Music
Download the Pioneers in Skirts theme song
Movie Theme Song

#2: Set yourself up for success

Insure that your event runs smoothly.

  • TIPS:
    • Create a pre-event action item Check List.
    • Create an event Run of Show to plan for each detailed action for your event day.     

    
Prepare student panelists ahead of the event.

  • TIPS:
    • Review the Run of Show with the panelists.
    • Provide topical questions to the panelists in advance so that they can better prepare.
    • Give panelists the freedom to ask each other questions too (it will make the panel more conversational).

WATCH VIDEO #2

How We Help

  • We’ve written a “20 Ways” article with great ideas to help you provide a memorable movie screening experience.  Click to see ideas for
    • raising awareness,
    • empowering others to know that they aren’t alone, and
    • encouraging productive and meaningful discussions!
  1.  
20 ways to make your event memorable
Make it Memorable

#3: Plan for a long-term affect

Prepare students for the key topics in the film so that as they watch Pioneers in Skirts they can reflect on their own life and if they see themselves in the film. For a movie description, narrative threads, and movie themes: See the About page.  

After watching the film, give them a few days to think about it.

  • TIP: Follow up 2-3 days later meet to discuss the film and how or if it made an impression.  

   
Host a yearly movie screening event to reach incoming students and keep the conversation alive.

WATCH VIDEO #3

How We Help

  • When you book a group screening, we send you:
    • A pre-movie Questionnaire introducing topics of the film for students to complete prior to watching. The Questionnaire and accompanying Answers sheet give teachers a tool to base lessons on and lead conversations.
    • Post screening discussion questions that can be used during your event or long after when you’re instigating post-event classroom conversations.             
  • We’ve developed an online LIVE learning tool called Find Your Inner Pioneer — it’s a post-screening interactive workshop.
2-page Student Questionnaire & Answer Sheet
A Program About Ambition

Watch how the film impacted this young audience.

Watch the movie trailer.

Nevada Theatrical Premiere of Pioneers in Skirts

Pioneers in Skirts Nevada theatrical premiere

Nevada Theatrical Premiere of Impact Documentary “Pioneers in Skirts” Scheduled for November 30, 2022

Los Angeles, CA, Release: October 26, 2022. For Immediate Release

Pioneers in Skirts filmmakers will be attending the premiere at the Galaxy Theaters on Nov 30 at 1pm. Even though the screening is part of an educators-focused event (ACTE CareerTech Vision 2022 conference), the event is Open To The Public. The filmmakers are also hosting a workshop on Dec. 1 to show educators how to host a successful and productive film screening that can positively impact their students.

The Nevada theatrical premiere of the latest Ashley Maria Productions film Pioneers in Skirts, which is currently broadcasting in the U.S. on PBS & public television, will take place November 30, 2022 at 1pm PST at the Galaxy Theaters in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Pioneers in Skirts is an inspiring film about the obstacles that can get in the way of a woman’s pioneering ambition, and what we ALL can do about it.

Hosted by NCWIT Nevada, the movie will be part of the ACTE CareerTech Vision 2022 conference being held November 30-December 3, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

“As school districts look to engage and encourage a more diverse student population to consider non-traditional careers, the film, Pioneers in Skirts, is a great way to start conversations with all students, educators, and families/caregivers about awareness and opportunities in STEM and Technology careers for female, under-served, and underrepresented students!” said Snehal Bhakta, Nevada Affiliate Coordinator for NCWIT.  “The bonus part of the film are the conversations relating to being an ally, advocate or sponsor, to inclusion, access, and equity work that many school districts are continuing to address.” 

In a portrait of perseverance and determination, the Pioneers in Skirts filmmakers, Ashley Maria and Lea-Ann W. Berst, follow the journeys of 3 unforgettable girls on a robotics team, their fathers, and Lily, a woman fearful her pregnancy news will fault her raise negotiations. The film uses Ashley’s own story as a female director in Hollywood as the through line, and also features fellow pioneering women and topic experts who have solutions to share.

“We shot the film during a time the entire world was transitioning into a full awareness of what it means to feel bias and sexism,” explained Ashley. “The culture around us moved from being in denial, then in shock and anger — and for some, being on defense.“

With knowledge about the topic being a rollercoaster of emotions, the team realized they had to weave in humor to lighten the mood.

“It’s a film about the inequalities that are impacting and shaping a woman’s career,” added Lea-Ann, “so we had to think outside the box for the film’s message to really sink in. We did this through humor and powerful & relatable stories.“

Today, viewers watch the film and find themselves empathizing with the characters. Some see that they are not alone. Many feel inspired – they see their role in the solution, and they feel motivated to act.

3 unforgettable girls on a robotics team

Television icons Joan Darling (Mary Tyler Moore, MASH) and Norman Lear (All in the Family, One Day at a Time) help set the story of what has been happening to women in Hollywood. Female directors, including recent Emmy award winner Bridget Stokes (A Black Lady Sketch Show) and Brea Grant (Torn Hearts), add their personal experiences to the storyline. Successful business women, like Cinnabon’s Kat Cole (Undercover Boss), Moz’s Sarah Bird, and Juleps Jane Park, also add their unique perspectives of overcoming adversity.

The film also features interviews with two organizations focused on quantifying the issues — The National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT) and The American Association of University Women (AAUW) — as well as many statistics that provide a realistic picture of how far women have to go in order to achieve true parity in their careers.

Movie Trailer

The daughter/mother filmmaking duo chose the ACTE CareerTech Vision 2022 Conference in Las Vegas as their Nevada Premiere to put a spotlight on how the film can help educators teach students about the culture around them and how it can shape the way students think about themselves and their careers.

Attendees at the ACTE conference are focused on finding innovative ways of expanding opportunities for students to explore, choose, and follow career and technical education programs of study and career pathways.

And, because of requirements of the main federal funding source (Perkins V) for high school and postsecondary CTE programs, attendees are required to address gender imbalances.

Females are scarce among high school CTE students concentrating in well-paying fields, such as information technology (32%), science (26%), and manufacturing (16%), according to a 2017-2018 analysis of federal Perkins data.

Ashley and Lea-Ann
The daughter/mother filmmaking duo!

“Perkins V requires states to evaluate how well they meet their own targets for improving the gender makeup of CTE programs,” described Lea-Ann. “But many are not meeting their targets and are trying to figure out why.”

“We’ve seen that Pioneers in Skirts helps to provide an answer as to why,” added Ashley. “Film can be a powerful instructional and motivational tool in the classroom. When students watch Pioneers in Skirts, they experience the perspectives of people who are outside of their current world view – and as they process what they have seen, they also have an opportunity to self-reflect about their own lives and how they feel about it.“

“When teachers watch the film, many tell us they’re seeing how they need to change the environment in the classroom, too,” shared Lea-Ann.

The November 30th showing of Pioneers in Skirts will be the second time the film has been featured in Nevada. The Nevada Women’s Film Festival (NWFFest) featured the film online during their 2020 festival; granting Pioneers in Skirts the prestigious Spirit of Activism Award.

November 30, 1pm PST, Premiere Screening tickets are available for non-ACTE members. Email the Nevada Affiliate of NCWIT at info@ncwitnevada.org for details!

Moviegoers will see Pioneers in Skirts on the big screen with the filmmakers, be part of a post-screening audience conversation about the film, and have a chance to personally meet the filmmakers and receive a signed 11×17 movie poster! Popcorn, beverage, and sweet treats will be served.

Pioneers in Skirts is a family-friendly film.

###

About NCWIT Nevada:

The Nevada Affiliate is a part of The National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT), which is the only national non-profit focused on women’s participation in computing across the entire ecosystem, helping 1,400 organizations recruit, retain, and advance women from K-12 and higher education through industry and entrepreneurial careers by providing support, evidence, and action. NCWIT is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, chartered in 2004 by the National Science Foundation. Find out more: ncwit.org.

About ACTE: 

The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) is the nation’s largest not-for-profit association committed to the advancement of education that prepares youth and adults for successful careers. ACTE represents the community of CTE professionals, including educators, administrators, researchers, school counselors, guidance and career development professionals and others at all levels of education. ACTE is committed to excellence in providing advocacy, public awareness and access to resources, professional development and leadership opportunities. Find out more: acteonline.org. For more information about the ACTE portion of the movie premiere: ACTE Event.

About NWFFest

The Nevada Women’s Film Festival is a project of the Nevada Women’s Film Collective, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. The festival is supported, in part, by the Nevada Arts Council, a state agency, which receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. NWFFest is made possible by support from Nevada Humanities and the National Endowment for the Humanities, is a FilmFreeway Gold Festival, and is IMDb-qualifying. Find out more: www.nwffest.com.

December 1 event session:
If participating in the ACTE CareerTech Vision 2022 conference, attendees have access to the session the next day: Using Film to Foster Meaningful Discussion – An Educator’s Guide — a 45-min session where educators will learn how to organize and use the power of film to positively impact and inspire students.

Contact info:
Name: Lea-Ann W. Berst, Producer
Organization: Ashley Maria Productions
Address: 3183 Wilshire Blvd #196A29, Los Angeles, CA 90010
Email: pioneersinskirts@gmail.com

October is the Time to Observe International Day of the Girl

October Is the Time for Each of Us to Observe International Day of the Girl

A month full of celebrations around girls – all over the world – October is when companies, civil society leaders, governments, and community organizations who are advocating for gender equity host events around the goal of lifting up girls.  

Though officially observed every year on October 11th, many allocate the entire month of October to commemorate International Day of the Girl.

Day of the GirlOctober 11th is a day designated to eliminating gender-based challenges that girls face – including child marriages, poor learning opportunities, violence, and discrimination. Like its adult version, International Women’s Day, celebrated on March 8th, International Day of the Girl also empowers girls and amplifies their voices.

It is a time to acknowledge the importance, power, and potential of girls.

Take part in a worldwide celebration by bringing International Day of the Girl to your community, school, or business! And when you do, we suggest bringing Pioneers in Skirts in for a screening!

Host Pioneers at your school
Host Pioneers at work or in your community