A Filmmaker Challenge to make a short film (5 minutes or less) using a Barbie doll was part of the WIFV 45th Anniversary celebrations WIFV. The filmmakers were instructed to create a short film (5 minutes or less) featuring women or girls who are in charge or in leadership roles. We are grateful to the support of the PlayItForward initiative of Mattel that supplied the Barbie dolls. WIFV Board Member Lisa Scott provided a Video Girl Barbie as the first prize!
Nine films were received and screened at ScriptDC this past weekend. The top three films, determined by audience votes are:
First Place – CINDERELLA’S GIFT
After being barred from going to the ball, Cinderella’s night takes a turn when she receives a magical talking doll.
Cinderella – Karina Torres
Stepsister/Barbie – Katherine Schmoke
Written by – Nancy Breslin
Directed by – Andy Espinoza
Assistant Director/Script Supervisor – Renata Philipi
Director of Photography – Namaste SG
Lighting – Pat Segundo
Sound – Jonas Kent
Production Assistant – Nancy Breslin
Second Place – LIFE AS A BARBIE DOLL
A woman dealing with severe headaches and brain fog longs for the carefree existence of her Barbie doll.
Woman/Barbie – Connie St. John
Writer/Director – Connie St. John
Editor/Music/Special Effects – Zora Robinson
Third Place – STEP
Laney Patton, the vibrant president of STEP—Stronger Together Empowering Professionals—finds herself grappling with cruel online comments after a keynote speech. With the help of her childhood Barbie dolls that come to life, she rediscovers the power of confidence and steps back into her purpose.
Laney-Jo Hott
Barbie-Leandra Ganci
Surfer Ken-Stephen Sealock
Autumn Barbie-Renee Hodel
Ken-Rhys Utterback
Young Laney-Jennie Sable
Canvas-Gaven Heglar
Elijah-Emma Reed
Mike Featherweight-Mike Stahl
Anderson-Anderson Kerns
Figel-Brandon Figel
Xavier-Xavier Miller
Norberg-Laney Norberg
Mom-Kerri Lane Mariano
Dad-Joseph Sable
Writer/Director/Producer-Kerri Lane Mariano
Video Editor-Sean Hodel
Drone Photography-Mike Stahl
Drone Assistant-Brandon Figel
Audio Engineer-Kirk Young
Gaffer-Rhys Utterback
Key Hair/MUA-Jette Kerns
Script Supervisor-Emma Reed
2nd AC-Gaven Heglar
2nd AC-Stephen Sealock
Production Coordinator-Claire Turner
Other WIFV Members submitting films for the Filmmaker Challenge are (in no particular order):
TO CATCH A BARBIE KILLER
A beloved Barbie is ruthlessly murdered. How to find the murder and avenge her death….
Girl-Samantha KotlickyBabysitter/Writer/Props-Frances Kramer
Penny’s Handler-Matty Harr
Dog-Penny
Mom-Sharon Derby
Writer/Director/Producer/Videographer/Editor-Jacquie Greff
Videographer/Props-Mya Montgomery
BARBIE’S MESSAGE IS FOR EVERYONE
The worst disability in life, is a bad attitude.
Producer/Director/Editor-Mark Ricche
THE SUMMIT: WOMEN HAVE ALWAYS LED
At a historic summit in Washington, D.C., a group of dynamic women leaders gathers to reveal the untold legacy of female empowerment, proving that women have always been at the helm—shaping history, inspiring change, and leading the way forward.
Writer/Producer/Editor-Alesha R. Brown
BETTER DAYS AHEAD
An unexpected tragedy reveals hope for a new beginning.
Maria-Natalia Velasquez
Barbie-Nancy Velasquez
Angela-Eunice Han
Sidd Shenoy-Daniel Lewison
Producer-Sarah Olscamp and Sidd Shenoy
Director-Sidd Shenoy
Director of Photography-Jon Akin
Gaffer-Bryce Auster
Editors-Sidd Shenoy and Sarah Olscamp
Screenwriters-Douglas Ryan and Sarah Olscamp
Sound-Sarah Olscamp
BEAUTY IN A BOX
A mother notices that her young daughter’s skincare obsession is getting out of hand.
Ava-Addison Emmons
Liz-Briana Kennedy
Writer/Director – Hannah Powers Audio/Lighting – Latasha Hamner and Connor Wray
Set Support – Bailey Carlton
Special Thanks – Adam Steele and Rachelle Carlton
I WILL BE PRESIDENT
A Barbie doll goes to sleep, with aspirational dreams.
Creative Director/Designer/Animator-Todd Gardner
Voiceover Talent-Bethzabet Sastré
We look forward to sharing the films soon. We are finalizing permissions. Thanks to all the teams for sharing their work. We had a blast screening them!
