_Filmmakers and film fans are preparing to crowd the streets of downtown Columbia this week with start of the True/False Film Fest. In advance of the festivities, our guests explain what it's like to make a movie here in Missouri. We also talk about the rising importance of film within Columbia's cultural landscape and find out how likely it may be that Columbia could become a birthplace for important cinematic works. In the final segment of the program, True/False co-director David Wilson talks about some of the noteworthy films chosen for inclusion in this year's festival.

_Panelists:
Polina Malikin, filmmaker and education/outreach coordinator for the True/False Film Fest
David Wilson, True/False co-founder

_With the fourth installment of the "Twilight" film series currently in theaters, we take another critical look at the teen vampire phenomenon. Does this latest film deliberately promote a socially conservative agenda, as some critics argue? Or, are the story line and fan frenzy simply the lifeblood of a Gothic literary tradition that will not die after hundreds of years?

_Panelists:
Elizabeth Behm-Morawitz, assistant professor of communication at the University of Missouri and one of three co-editors of the book “Bitten by Twilight: Youth Culture, Media and the Vampire Franchise.”
Elizabeth Chang, associate professor of English at the University of Missouri

The Harry Potter books and movies have captivated audiences around the world for more than a decade. With the final installment of the Harry Potter films out this summer, panelists discuss how all that witchcraft fits into the context of more mainstream religious traditions.

Panelists:
Signe Cohen, associate professor and director of graduate studies, MU Department of Religious Studies
Rick Cotner, member of Calvary Episcopal Church who led the church’s adult forums on Harry Potter and religion

Organizers of the True/False film festival in Columbia pride themselves on finding films that ride the line between fanciful storytelling and documentary truth. On this program, panelists discuss the blending of art and life on film. In the second half of the program you'll also hear about some of the highlights from this year's festival line-up, and find out how films are selected for inclusion in the festival.

Panelists:
David Wilson, co-director, True/False film festival
Chase Thompson, film instructor at Stephens College and director of the documentary "Zielinski"
Joanna Hearne, assistant professor of English and Film Studies, University of Missouri
David Friesen, True/False submissions director
Chris Boeckmann, True/False assistant submissions director and associate programmer

Related links:
Previews for many of this year's True/False films
Article about "Zielinski" and other documentaries being made in mid-Missouri (Columbia Daily Tribune, 1/23/2011)
Clips from several historically significant documentary films

In the 90 years since American women gained the right to vote, the movement toward gender equality has made great strides in some areas and still has a way to go. For example, as of 2009, women made 80.2 cents for every dollar men earned (compared with 62.3 cents for every dollar in 1979). On the pop culture front, women comprised only 7 percent of all directors, producers, writers, cinematographers and editors working on the top 250 domestic grossing films.
With the Citizen Jane Film Festival opening in Columbia later this week, we talk about the state of feminism in mid-Missouri and across America, and look at how elements of pop culture may be helping or hurting the women's movement.

Panelists:
Paula Elias, director, Citizen Jane Film Festival
Mary Jo Neitz, professor, MU Department of Women & Gender Studies

The "Twilight" books and films have engrossed fans of all ages with their romantic portrayal of high school student Bella Swan and her vampire boyfriend, Edward Cullen. But what do the popularity and media coverage of the series say about our culture? And what effect is the central story having on its legion of female fans?

Panelists:
Jennifer Aubrey and Elizabeth Behm-Morawitz, University of Missouri assistant professors and co-editors (along with Melissa Click) of the book “Bitten by Twilight: Youth Culture, Media and the Vampire Franchise.”