Women's festivals have been critiqued harshly and are becoming extinct. Sharing the word about this kind of event is bold and in the spirit of feminism, we are calling on collaboration from our communities. We invite you to be part of this extraordinary journey to launch these voices into the world.
Women's festivals have been critiqued harshly and are becoming extinct. Sharing the word about this kind of event is bold and in the spirit of feminism, we are calling on collaboration from our communities. We invite you to be part of this extraordinary journey to launch these voices into the world.
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Story
Mission Statement
The film covers MOTHERSHIP, the “safe space,” that is an all women's, trans inclusive, three-year young festival that spans three days in the Coachella Valley. Themes of intersectional feminism- those of gender identity, race, and other topics unique to this four wave of feminism are explored.About The Project
At the end of 2016, MOTHERSHIP founder Laura Wise contacted me after seeing CAMP BEAVERTON: MEET THE BEAVERS, the film Ana Grillo and I made about Camp Beaverton, the all women's, trans inclusive, sex positive camp at Burning Man in 2012, and asked if I'd be interested in making a film about her festival, MOTHERSHIP, which would take place in October, 2017. My partner was pregnant then and due in February 2017, so I knew that logistically, the timing could work. After further discussion with Laura, I was hooked on the idea of looking at feminism today because I am curious as to where the thoughts and feelings about feminism stand with the young women and queer folk coming into their own voices now. I've always been passionate about seeing all voices have equal platform to being heard and I suppose this a a huge reason why I've chosen documentary as a means to give voice to the unheard. MOTHERSHIP was an easy Yes and what we discovered was that today’s generation has a lot to say about the intersections within feminism and that even the mere act of attempting to highlight these voices is empowering; this film is an act of empowerment, in and of itself, and we invite you to be a part of it.
Tegan & Sara with crew members Kristina Rodriguez, Beth Nelsen, and Victoria Rodriguez-- our twins captured their twins!
Participants listen to one of the many panels happening at MOTHERSHIP.
I came out of the closet in 1994 and went off to UCLA for college, where my coming of age was fostered by the likes of West Hollywood in the 1990’s: though a lot of fun, it was very male, very body focused, and very white. Where there were female spaces, they were not always very diverse and they didn’t last long. Little Frida’s coffee shop in WeHo closed down. The women’s festivals of my time had reputations for not being terribly inclusive, particularly around trans issues. MOTHERSHIP just IS trans inclusive; gender expression is up to the individual and what I loved about MOTHERSHIP was that everyone we spoke too felt held in who they are.
MOTHERSHIP particpants cool off in the shade.
Similar to MEET THE BEAVERS, which did go on to enjoy a long shelf life on video on demand platforms like Hulu and Amazon, MOTHERSHIP is a passion project by female filmmakers that is fueled by the desire to center women's stories in a feature documentary. In 2012, Ana and I jumped in a vehicle to go make a film about Camp Beaverton, a women's community at Burning Man, and this time we did it similarly, only we had a few more team members with us. With only 48 hours to capture MOTHERSHIP, we knew we needed a team who was strong, had the stamina, and didn’t mind partaking in a run-and-gun style of filmmaking. The financial component was also important: I did not have a ton of funds to pay people for their time, so I had to choose people who have a similar passion for women’s stories and who also were willing to support the project by donating their time. I knew I probably also had to know these people personally, so I called upon the some of the strongest female filmmakers that I love: Ana Grillo (my co-director of MEET THE BEAVERS, then based in Thailand), Marcela Coto (a Los Angeles based filmmaker and my sister-in-law), and my favorite twin dynamo team from Sacramento, Kristina and Victoria Rodriguez, one of whom I met five years ago on OKCupid, (we won't tell you which one!). Despite no payment being guaranteed, all four gave a resounding YES and on their own funds, gathered their equipment, and agreed to meet in the Coachella Valley for the festival that would take place October 13-15, 2017.We spoke to some who had never pitched a tent before but made a lot of friends learning!
At 3am on October 9, 2018, less than a week before we were supposed to head south for MOTHERSHIP, I woke up to the strong smell of smoke in my home in Napa, California, and hours later, California Governor Brown declared Napa County to be in a state of emergency. With a seven month old baby and an asthmatic partner, I quickly chucked all of our MOTHERSHIP gear into the car and fled town with my family. The event is meant to be 21+ only, but our baby was permitted to join the crew, given the unique circumstances. It was all a bit more rushed than we would have preferred, but in the end we all made it safely and set up our HQ.
Renting an RV was our best bet for our camera gear in the desert conditions.
The gates opened to the public on Friday, October 13th, just before noon and we hit the ground running, talking to the participants about safe space, brave space, gender identity and expression, race, body positivity, and other aspects on intersectional feminism. Before we knew it, we were shooting the final group photo on Sunday afternoon, just 48 hours after the gates had opened. All the crew had an amazing time at MOTHERSHIP and we gathered more than enough footage to give the audience a visually satisfying experience of what happened at the event. We met some stellar talent, including Tegan & Sara, Faarrow, Madison Paige, Madame Gandhi, and Whitney Mixter. Additionally, we got to engage in conversations with people from many chapters of life, not confined to just millennials.
Rodriguez twins, Victoria (left) and Kristina (far right) with Madame Gandhi.
What I loved about MOTHERSHIP was that people felt really free to voice their opinions, knowing they'd be held in respect, and it was an incredible gift to bear witness to person after person stepping into their own power to share their thoughts with us. I think that all too often our voices our squashed, so to be in a space where we all felt brave, was truly inspiring. The last day of the festival, October 15, 2017, #metoo had gained a lot of traction and so I knew that the timing, coupled with our current political climate, was also right and that featuring these voices, through an intersectional lens, could also potentially contribute to change on a larger scale, beyond a festival in Southern California: a world where women feel safe enough to experience bravery; solid in their self worth to know their value; and the ability to walk through the world in their most authentic self expression, knowing they’re loved and truly seen for who they are as human.
Anna, one of the participants you will meet in the film.
At the end of the festival, we could not return just yet, with the fires still burning and the bad air quality, but eventually we all landed in our respective homes and I went to work transcribing the interviews and the twins went to work organizing the media. 130+ pages, a few months, and many hours of effort from the twins and myself, the team was finally ready to start piecing together rough cuts. Nobody was paid, everyone put in their own time because we really believed in the project.Chi, one of the participants you will meet in the film.
Like anything in life, a project is only as good as the team and I feel so fortunate to have the team that we have. We’ve been granted some music at a heavily discounted price and we are so grateful to Madame Gandhi for letting us use her song, The Future Is Female, for our first trailer, as well as to the Los Angeles based band WASI, for use of seven of their songs in the film. Yes, I said SEVEN of their songs. Amazing band! We want to pay them more! We are so grateful all of the people who contributed their voices to this film. Everyone was truly generous with us.
Shana, one of the participants you will meet in the film.
On December 24, 2017, we released our trailer on social media. People were really responding positively. We still had a long road ahead of us, but we knew where we wanted to go and we knew we would have an audience. The most challenging aspect has been time; coordinating schedules, volunteering our time to come together and work on the project. As a new parent and being married to a working partner, I found this particularly challenging, but we've managed to come this far and finally, an end is in sight. There are a just a few of the bigger expenses ahead of us, things we need actual cash for and so we've decided this is our platform. We really believe that crowdfunding is a collaborative experience and collaboration is a key ingredient to feminism. We would love to have you on board the MOTHERSHIP!
Women await this film. Queers await this film. Feminists await this celebration of our ultra inclusive sisterhood and we cannot wait to share it with you.
-Beth Nelsen
Incentives
$5
ABOARD THE MOTHERSHIP
You're on the team now! You'll be plugged into all we're doing, sharing this film with the world, thanks to YOU! And we'll shout you on our FB movie page.
$10
MOTHERSHIP LULLABY
We'll tell everyone on the FB movie page you came aboard the MOTHERSHIP to help make this happen and give you that warm fuzzy feeling you get in your belly for doubling your fiver by sending you a short clip of FAARROW singing a sweet lullaby they wrote for Beth's baby, our youngest crew member.
$25
PRIVATE EYES
We could just kiss you! Receive a private link to watch the film after its World Premiere, as well as the social media PDA and lullaby. THANK YOU!
$50
The Future Is Female
"You can catch me singing these words
In a black Otherwild “Future is Female” t-shirt
Like AY! Me, I got something to say
Gender constructions just get in the way
I've been playing drums since I was like 8
The future is female, the future is great!"Madame Gandhi sings it and we want to give you a TFIF shirt PLUS all our thanks, the lullaby, and a digital link to the film after a chunk of its festival run. We will contact you for the correct size and aim to get yours delivered to you ASAP.
Claimed: 8 of 40
$50
WASI MIXTAPE
WASI gave us 7 songs to use in the film and you'll get a mixtape of those songs, via a digital download. If you haven't heard, WASI is an American electro punk/pop band fronted by Jessie Meehan (vocals), (bass guitar), (synthesizer), and Merilou Salazar (vocals), (guitar), (synthesizer). They combine their punk mentality of social conscious lyrics, alternative hip hop production and infectious pop melodies to create their self defined genre: riot pop. Plus, we'll give you the private link, the lullaby, and all our thanks.
$75
AFTER PARTY!
WASI gave us 7 of their songs for this project and they've agreed to play our after party. You will gain entry to our party in LA, date TBA. Travel and lodging not included, but if you're an out of towner, you just might make some new friends...you never know who will show up! Plus, you'll get WASI's mixtape from the film's songs, (via a digital download), as well as the private link, the lullbaby, and all our thanks.
Claimed: 1 of 10
$100
THE WHITNEY MIXTAPE
We were fortunate to catch Whitney Mixter on the fly at the festival. You can have her entire interview as well as clips from her panel at MOTHERSHIP, all sent to you as a downloadable link, as well as the lullaby, the private link to the film, and all our thanks.
Claimed: 1 of 10
$100
THE MADAME GANDHI
Madame Gandhi is a powerful speaker, articulate and smart. She gave us a great interview, (as did everyone) and you can have her entire interview sent to you as a downloadable link as well as the private link, the lullaby, and all our thanks. She talks feminism, she talks gender, she talks periods...she talks AWESOME!
Claimed: 2 of 10
$100
FAARROW FEVER
You can have Iman & Siham Hashi's interview sent to you as a downloadable link as well as their lullaby, the private link, and all our gratitude. These sisters are FAARROW and we loved their interview! They made Beth cry!
Claimed: 3 of 10
$100
THE MADS
We found musician Madison Paige just before sunset and got two different interviews, both great, and both of which you will receive as a downloadable link, as well as the private link, the lullaby, and all our thanks.
Claimed: 1 of 10
$250
THE TEGAN AND SARA
The Tegan & Sara Foundation was a sponsor of MOTHERSHIP and we were fortunate to sit down with them and hear their thoughts on feminism, gender, their childhood stories, their passion for their safe spaces initiative, and their foundation. You will not see this interview anywhere else. In addition, you will get one additional interview of your choice, as well as the party, the mixtape, the private link, the lullaby, and all our thanks.
Claimed: 2 of 20
$500
ALL ON BOARD
ALL of the above plus a special thank you credit in the film. This includes ALL five interviews mentioned, the party, the WASI mixtape, the private link, the lullaby, and all our gratitude.
$1,000
THE WHOLE ENCHILADA
You get an Associate Producer's credit in the film and EVERYTHING already mentioned. Plus, you are invited to join the crew in Sacramento, where we will make you enchildas, margaritas, and show you a night out in Sacramento's gayborhood. Note: travel and lodging not included.
Claimed: 0 of 9
$8,900
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
You've just saved us a whole bunch of anxiety. Come for a free tour of our post production suite in Sacramento. Beth and the Rodriguez twins will take you out for dinner and show you the town! AND. When we figure out where our World Premiere is, you'll be our VIP guest, joining whatever awesome festival we get into as well as our after party. We don't know what that looks like just yet, but we promise it'll be awesome. You can take as many photos as you like. Note: travel not included, but we will cover your lodging. Plus, ALL that other good stuff!
Claimed: 0 of 2
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Wishlist
Use the WishList to pledge cash and loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an incentive directly.
$5
ABOARD THE MOTHERSHIP
You're on the team now! You'll be plugged into all we're doing, sharing this film with the world, thanks to YOU! And we'll shout you on our FB movie page.
$10
MOTHERSHIP LULLABY
We'll tell everyone on the FB movie page you came aboard the MOTHERSHIP to help make this happen and give you that warm fuzzy feeling you get in your belly for doubling your fiver by sending you a short clip of FAARROW singing a sweet lullaby they wrote for Beth's baby, our youngest crew member.
$25
PRIVATE EYES
We could just kiss you! Receive a private link to watch the film after its World Premiere, as well as the social media PDA and lullaby. THANK YOU!
$50
The Future Is Female
"You can catch me singing these words
In a black Otherwild “Future is Female” t-shirt
Like AY! Me, I got something to say
Gender constructions just get in the way
I've been playing drums since I was like 8
The future is female, the future is great!"Madame Gandhi sings it and we want to give you a TFIF shirt PLUS all our thanks, the lullaby, and a digital link to the film after a chunk of its festival run. We will contact you for the correct size and aim to get yours delivered to you ASAP.
Claimed: 8 of 40
$50
WASI MIXTAPE
WASI gave us 7 songs to use in the film and you'll get a mixtape of those songs, via a digital download. If you haven't heard, WASI is an American electro punk/pop band fronted by Jessie Meehan (vocals), (bass guitar), (synthesizer), and Merilou Salazar (vocals), (guitar), (synthesizer). They combine their punk mentality of social conscious lyrics, alternative hip hop production and infectious pop melodies to create their self defined genre: riot pop. Plus, we'll give you the private link, the lullaby, and all our thanks.
$75
AFTER PARTY!
WASI gave us 7 of their songs for this project and they've agreed to play our after party. You will gain entry to our party in LA, date TBA. Travel and lodging not included, but if you're an out of towner, you just might make some new friends...you never know who will show up! Plus, you'll get WASI's mixtape from the film's songs, (via a digital download), as well as the private link, the lullbaby, and all our thanks.
Claimed: 1 of 10
$100
THE WHITNEY MIXTAPE
We were fortunate to catch Whitney Mixter on the fly at the festival. You can have her entire interview as well as clips from her panel at MOTHERSHIP, all sent to you as a downloadable link, as well as the lullaby, the private link to the film, and all our thanks.
Claimed: 1 of 10
$100
THE MADAME GANDHI
Madame Gandhi is a powerful speaker, articulate and smart. She gave us a great interview, (as did everyone) and you can have her entire interview sent to you as a downloadable link as well as the private link, the lullaby, and all our thanks. She talks feminism, she talks gender, she talks periods...she talks AWESOME!
Claimed: 2 of 10
$100
FAARROW FEVER
You can have Iman & Siham Hashi's interview sent to you as a downloadable link as well as their lullaby, the private link, and all our gratitude. These sisters are FAARROW and we loved their interview! They made Beth cry!
Claimed: 3 of 10
$100
THE MADS
We found musician Madison Paige just before sunset and got two different interviews, both great, and both of which you will receive as a downloadable link, as well as the private link, the lullaby, and all our thanks.
Claimed: 1 of 10
$250
THE TEGAN AND SARA
The Tegan & Sara Foundation was a sponsor of MOTHERSHIP and we were fortunate to sit down with them and hear their thoughts on feminism, gender, their childhood stories, their passion for their safe spaces initiative, and their foundation. You will not see this interview anywhere else. In addition, you will get one additional interview of your choice, as well as the party, the mixtape, the private link, the lullaby, and all our thanks.
Claimed: 2 of 20
$500
ALL ON BOARD
ALL of the above plus a special thank you credit in the film. This includes ALL five interviews mentioned, the party, the WASI mixtape, the private link, the lullaby, and all our gratitude.
$1,000
THE WHOLE ENCHILADA
You get an Associate Producer's credit in the film and EVERYTHING already mentioned. Plus, you are invited to join the crew in Sacramento, where we will make you enchildas, margaritas, and show you a night out in Sacramento's gayborhood. Note: travel and lodging not included.
Claimed: 0 of 9
$8,900
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
You've just saved us a whole bunch of anxiety. Come for a free tour of our post production suite in Sacramento. Beth and the Rodriguez twins will take you out for dinner and show you the town! AND. When we figure out where our World Premiere is, you'll be our VIP guest, joining whatever awesome festival we get into as well as our after party. We don't know what that looks like just yet, but we promise it'll be awesome. You can take as many photos as you like. Note: travel not included, but we will cover your lodging. Plus, ALL that other good stuff!
Claimed: 0 of 2
- Updates
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Current Team
About This Team
from left to right: Victoria Rodriguez, Kiran Gandhi (Madame Gandhi), Kristina Rodriguez.
VICTORIA RODRIGUEZ
Victoria is an Emmy nominated editor who is based in Sacramento, California. She worked for PBS for over ten years and now currently freelances as an editor and shooter. When asked to join the MOTHERSHIP documentary team, she was an emphatic YES and also put her hand up to do the editing. I picked Victoria because she is organized, creative, reliable, and has an eye and ear, as well as the passion, for cutting video and music together. She has been working incredibly hard for months now and we are so close to finishing!
KRISTINA RODRIGUEZ
Kristina Rodriguez has been working in “all thing’s production” for the past 20 years doing tv/video, theatre, and live events. She worked at an affiliate for PBS for over 10 years where she designed sets and lights for a variety of events and national television shows. Being creative for work is something she enjoys and is beyond thrilled to be aboard the Mothership. She is the twin to Victoria, which has been very convenient for all the hard post production work we've been putting in over the last several months.
Christina and Beth Nelsen
BETH NELSEN
Beth's mom likes to say she fights for the underdog. As a storyteller, she is passionate about using the documentary platform to build bridges of understanding into worlds that are still working to be seen. Beth's last film, CAMP BEAVERTON: MEET THE BEAVERS, gave voice to the LGBTQ community, worldwide. Of Tewa heritage, Nelsen also serves as the Technological Elder and produces films for the Suscol Intertribal Council as well as serving on the Mental Health Board of her community in Napa, California.
CHRISTINA NELSEN
Relationship therapist by day and production crew by circumstance, Christina is passionate about what this team is trying to do and so when Beth asked her to join this campaign team, she was an easy Yes. She is a clinical psychologist who has never been part of a film crew but she brings organization, a marketing mind, and the cheerleading we need to get through this final push.
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