The Jane Pickens Theater to highlight women filmmakers, actors, and business owners this summer

The Jane Pickens Theater to highlight women filmmakers, actors, and business owners this summer

The Jane Pickens Theater & Event Center (The JPT) is presenting a selection of films and discussions that celebrate the creative talents and professional achievements of women filmmakers, actors, and business owners throughout the summer.

“The JPT is thrilled to showcase an extraordinary collection of films highlighting the creativity and accomplishments of women filmmakers, actors, and entrepreneurs. The lineup features the Rhode Island premiere of a critically acclaimed documentary, an encore screening of a documentary highlighting Newport, and a Little Chateau pop-up shop for our guests to explore before enjoying a fan-favorite classic film, said Alex Whitney, General Manager at The JPT”

Upcoming Events Include:

The Street Project Film and Panel Discussion on August 13, at 7:00PM 

Directed by filmmaker Jennifer Boyd, The Street Project is an excellent addition to our film series highlighting women filmmakers, highlighting a critical issue, presenting valued perspectives of women and men in our community. Hosted by Ride Island: the initiative to advance and support active transportation on Aquidneck Island, managed by Bike Newport, Grow Smart RI, Toole Design, and van Beuren Charitable Foundation.

Examining the implications of unsafe street designs across the country, The Street Project provides a deep dive into how America views our streets and how they can be made safer. In an uplifting globe-spanning narrative, the film looks at cycling-friendly meccas in Europe and considers current conditions in New York City and Phoenix (one of the most dangerous cities in America for pedestrians). The Street Project looks at how we got here, what makes effective street design, how the automobile changed the way we use our streets, and much more.

The screening will be followed by a panel discussion and audience Q & A with advocates and technical experts experienced in safer street design. All ticketholders will be eligible for a raffle to win two tickets to the 10-Spot Ride on August 24th! More information about this Ride Island event here: https://bikenewportri.org/the-street-project/

Past Events Include:

Show Her The Money: The Power of Funding Female Founders (Monday, July 22. Doors open at 6:00 PM and the screening will begin at 6:30)

The Rhode Island premiere of critically acclaimed documentary Show Her The Money is headed to The JPT on July 22. Hosted by New England Female Founders (NEFF ), the event will include networking opportunities and light bites before and after the screening as well as a panel discussion following the screening. The panel discussion will feature entrepreneurs, investors, and allies from the New England ecosystem as well as one of the film’s featured investors. Every admission includes a free alcoholic beverage ticket and a food ticket.


Show Her The Money is a documentary focused on raising awareness about an uncomfortable fact that underpins today’s venture capital landscape: each year, startups founded solely by women receive less than 2% of available venture funding in the US. The film follows four visionary founders as they endure uphill battles to turn their ideas into reality. In spite of their dedication and passion constantly being challenged, these women, with the financial support and mentorship of their angel investors, become even more determined, resourceful, and resilient. Each business has the potential to become a billion and over the course of the film, we witness that exponential growth as it happens. For tickets and more information on Show Her The Money, click here.

Newport: In This Together (Tuesday, July 23, 7:30 PM)

Newport: In This Together is back at The JPT for an encore screening featuring opening remarks by Mayor Xay Khamsyvoravong, Mayor City of Newport and Sue Sipprelle, Filmmaker and President, Tree of Life Productions. Following the screening there will be a post-film panel discussion featuring community leaders.

Shot in real time during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Newport: In This Together includes 108 firsthand accounts from Newport business owners, healthcare and frontline workers, nonprofit leaders, government officials, educators, students and residents as the pandemic and social unrest of 2020 unfolded. The film took more than three years to complete, and offers an unprecedented look not only at the fear and uncertainty of the time, but also the generosity, innovation and creativity of Newporters. For tickets and more information on Newport In This Together, click here.

The Parent Trap with pop-up shop by Little Chateau (Wednesday, July 24, Doors open at 6:30 PM screening will begin at 7:30 PM)

The classic film favorite, The Parent Trap is back at The JPT. Before the screening begins, guests will have the chance to enjoy summer refreshments and explore a curated selection of best-selling products from the Mother/Daughter owned business Little Chateau, discover exclusive The Parent Trap inspired merchandise, as well as a pop-up shop from local New England swimwear brand Ricki Beach Club.

In this update of a 1961 film, twins Annie and Hallie (Lindsay Lohan) are strangers until happenstance unites them. The preteen girls’ divorced parents, Nick (Dennis Quaid) and Elizabeth (Natasha Richardson), are living on opposite sides of the Atlantic, each with one child. After meeting at camp, American Hallie and British-raised Annie engineer an identity swap, giving both the chance to spend time with the parent they’ve missed. If the scheme works, it might just make the family whole again. For tickets and more information on The Parent Trap, click here.

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