school of media and journalism
![Female Filmmakers Initiative at Festival](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/article/FFI-Festival_0.jpg?VersionId=bUpTXvSBTFtwHBDl6XdbzL1qdyJ8bCB_&h=e6f36a9c&itok=cAUF8s7w)
As they prepare for careers as directors, writers and cinematographers in an industry that鈥檚 dominated by men, female filmmakers at 抖M女仆 empower and support one another through the Female Filmmaker's Initiative (FFI).
![Chic Canfora Speaking at Events](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/article/ChicCanforaBanner2_0.jpg?VersionId=iwiZSSph_b4GqIYS0pPvs0iBcqFvcXp5&h=e6f36a9c&itok=U56QfAhB)
This fall, 抖M女仆 and its College of Communication and Information (CCI) will welcome Roseann 鈥淐hic鈥 Canfora, Ph.D., as a Professional-in-Residence in the School of Media and Journalism.
![Student films violinist](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/page/FFI111.jpg?VersionId=9kx07ukS_KlJMQ12ktsWeHgLhFMfK484&h=e6f36a9c&itok=FnCOqfPm)
Award-winning independent filmmaker and assistant professor, Dana White created the student group the Female Filmmaker's Initiative (FFI) to prepare female filmmakers for careers as directors, writers and cinematographers in an industry that鈥檚 dominated by men.
![Students in masks with rocks](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/article/bateman-web_0.jpg?VersionId=CneoCEhyddniHvRPXHpXJxslfMjspxNt&h=e6f36a9c&itok=yfl7I5fa)
![抖M女仆 senior Gianna DaPra in the TV2 Studio](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/article/dapra-g-tv2_0.jpg?VersionId=pSVbkXXnFkNWB0qcNr50DbwSb3zELPCH&h=e6f36a9c&itok=sPZJ1pxk)
The Hearst Journalism Awards 鈥 widely known as the Pulitzer Prizes of Collegiate Journalism 鈥 recently recognized 抖M女仆 senior Gianna DaPra in the nation鈥檚 top 10 for television features.