Events By Quarter
Cup of Culture
Wadjda
MCC Theater
Wadjda, directed by Haifaa Al Mansour, is a groundbreaking film and the first feature entirely shot in Saudi Arabia. It follows the story of a spirited 10-year-old girl in Riyadh who dreams of owning a green bicycle and defying cultural norms. The film took five years to complete due to numerous challenges, including Saudi Arabia's strict gender segregation laws. Al Mansour directed much of the movie from a van, using a monitor and walkie-talkie to communicate with her crew. Despite these difficulties, Wadjda not only highlights the struggles of Saudi women but also marks a historic milestone as the debut feature of Saudi Arabia's first female filmmaker.
Directed by: Haifaa Al-Mansour
Produced by: Gerhard Meixner, Roman Paul
Guest Bio:
Haifaa Al Mansour is the first female filmmaker in Saudi Arabia. She studied comparative literature at the American University in Cairo. She recently completed a Master’s degree in Film Studies from the University of Sydney under the prestigious Endeavour Scholarship Award. She began her film directing career with three shorts, Who?, Bereavement of the Fledgling, and The Only Way Out, followed by her award-winning documentary Women Without Shadows. The success of her films around the world inspired a new movement of independent filmmaking in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. She is famous for penetrating the wall of silence surrounding the lives of Saudi women and providing a platform for their unheard voices. Her work is dedicated to fostering change for Arab women. Her first feature film, Wadjda, was developed within the pilot screenwriters lab that inaugurated the collaboration between TorinoFilmLab and the Dubai International Film Festival in 2009.
Black Flea Market
MCC Lounge/Lobby
Join us in honoring the richness of Black culture and history during our third annual Black Flea Market, brought to you by the MCC in collaboration with the Office of Black Student Development (OBSD). Celebrate Black History Month with an evening of FREE goodies, delicious food, talented Black creatives, entrepreneurs, and organizations on campus!
Co-Sponsor: OBSD
Art Exhibit
Art Reception – Kababaian: Art Through Feminism and Women’s Wisdom
PinaySphere
MCC Lounge
The MCC Winter 2025 Art Exhibition’s theme is “Kababaian: Art Through Feminism and Women’s Wisdom,” which celebrates the power of feminism and women’s collective wisdom through art! The term “Kababaian” translates to “womanhood” or “femininity” in Tagalog. Featuring works from diverse artists in PinaySphere, “Kababaian” explores themes of empowerment, resilience, and the transformative role of women in shaping our world. Join us to engage with inspiring art and conversations that honor women’s stories and contributions.
Guest bio:
Jen V. Benitez is the Founder / Executive Director of nonprofit, PINAYSPHERE (pin-eye) for Filipina-American youth artists. She is a California-born and raised Filipina-American based out in Camarillo, CA. Originally from Oxnard, CA, she’s lived in Long Beach and New York which has allowed her to expand her network throughout both coasts. She finds herself at the intersection of sacred wellness, creativity, and decolonization. She is passionate about projects that allow her to share her gifts & be of service to those in her community.
Cup of Culture
Missing From Fire Trail Road
MCC Theater
Missing From Fire Trail Road, directed by Sabrina Van Tassel, documents the detailed case of Mary Ellen Johnson-Davis, a Native American woman who disappeared in Washington in 2020. Since the investigation is at a standstill, her sisters and other tribal members set off to discover what happened to her. Mary Ellen’s story exposes how hundreds of Indigenous women continue to go missing in the United States, perpetuating trans-generational traumas.
