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YAS KWEEN: Girls on Screen

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It’s hard to know whether to cheer or groan at the success of Lena Dunham’s hit TV show Girls. On one hand, it’s encouraging to see real, imperfect female bodies on screen. On the other hand, it’s depressing that such images are still revolutionary. ‘There’s people who don’t want to see bodies like mine, or bodies like their own bodies,’ Dunham has said.

At this panel discussion, hosted by comedian Judith Lucy, we’ll look at girls on screen. Girls is just one show that has inspired some fiery debates about female representation and diversity in popular culture. Our panel – comprising some of the smartest young women we know – will also respond to clips from Broad City, Freaks and Geeks, The Katering Show, Puberty Blues and, of course, Mean Girls. Can we see ourselves in these characters? Who is left out in representations of girls on screen? What power do these representations hold over our imaginations? And could there ever be a show about girls as gross as The Inbetweeners?

This conversation is suited to girls, anyone who was once a girl and anybody who knows a girl. Join us as we dissect some of our funniest and fetchest pop-culture favourites.

Presented in partnership with ACMI and Plan International Australia.

Featuring

Judith Lucy

Judith Lucy is one of Australia’s most popular comedians. A best-selling author, her work in radio, television and film and her sell-out national live tours have made her a household name. A standup comedian for over 20 years, she sprang to national prominence in 1993 when she joined the cast of A... Read more

Mel Campbell

Mel Campbell is a freelance journalist and critic who co-hosts the fortnightly literature and culture podcast The Rereaders. She is a columnist on writing at Overland magazine, and a university lecturer and writer-for-hire on film, TV and media. Her first book was the nonfiction investigation Out of... Read more

Jessica Knight

Jessica Knight is a writer based in Melbourne.

Billie Tumarkin

Billie Tumarkin is a young writer and musician. She is currently studying classical voice at the University of Melbourne. Her work has appeared in Birdee Mag, the Hoopla, the Under Age and at wheelercentre.com. In 2015, she was one of Melbourne Writers Festival’s ’30 under 30′. ... Read more

Candy Bowers

Candy Bowers is an award-winning writer, actor, social-activist, comedian and producer. The co-artistic director of Black Honey Company, Candy has pioneered a fierce sub-genre of hip hop theatre that delves into the heart of radical feminist dreaming.   Born of multi-racial South African parents an... Read more

Aretha

Aretha is an Indigenous activist based in Melbourne. She is from the Gumbangarri clan in Northern NSW. She represented her mob in Gallipoli for the Centenary last year. Aretha is a passionate public speaker and Youth Activist with Plan International Australia.

Monica

Monica is a youth advocate and social worker. She is co-founder of the Afro-Australian Student Organisation, a mentor in the Immigration Museum’s Sarah Myer Leadership Program, a member of the Multifaith Multicultural Youth Network, and youth advisor for the Ghana Association of Australia. In 2015... Read more

Christine

Christine is a qualified organisational psychologist and has over 7 years experiences in psychology consulting with various organisations including ASX Top 100 professional services firms and government departments. She brings a wealth of experience and knowledge in designing and implementing effect... Read more

Mimi

Mimi has over seven years’ experience using media and communication for social change. She is passionate about women’s rights and strives for a world where girls are empowered and have equal opportunities. Mimi appears as key note speaker for Jesuit Social Services at schools and community event... Read more

Ella

Ella is currently studying her undergraduate of sociology at Monash University. She has a keen interest in the constructions of sexual identities, and experiences of bisexual, fluid and non-monosexual people. She hopes to pursue this in research and social work. 

Milla

Milla is a queer Melbourne musician and co-founder of feminist, black comedy group; Spoon Eyes Productions. Drawn to all things advocacy, absurd and alien in being “the other”, Milla feels most at home exploring the transient nature of identity or debating the existence of Joe Hockey’s di... Read more

Alex Alex

Alex is a 25-year-old law graduate who has developed a strong passion for disability human rights during her time at Melbourne Law School. Originally from Bendigo, Alex moved to Melbourne to live and study independently in 2010, overcoming many of the barriers often associated with having a disabili... Read more

Location

ACMI Cinema 2, Australian Centre for the Moving Image

Federation Square, Flinders St, Melbourne VIC 3000

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