WHAT's a zine?
Zines (pronounced zeens) are self-published, non-commercial labors of love. There are no rules; they come in all shapes, sizes, and are about everything under the sun. Most importantly, they give a voice where there may not have been one before.
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There are a ton of great resources about zines, their history, and how to make them. We recommend The Bindery's introduction to zines, Eastern Michigan University's guide to making zines, and Rebecca Kunin's extensive historical overview of the craft.
Girls, on Film is a quarterly fanzine about '80s movies. Each issues features eight movies released between 1980 and 1989 related to a particular theme.
All issues are listed below. Digital issues are free, or buy full-color prints from our Mixam store, as well as these fab sellers: South Street Art Mart (Philly); Quimby's Books (Chicago); People's Books (Takoma Park, MD); Antiquated Future (Portland, OR); and Director's Library (London).
Girls, on Film can also be found in the Sherwood Forrest Zine Library (online); the Barnard College zine library (NYC); George Mason University's library (VA), and the Library of Congress (DC), as well as zine festivals and art book fairs.
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Contact info@girlsonfilmzine.com for about sales, trades, collaborations, and guest submissions.
Issue #4: The Food Issue
Order up! In this issue, we're talking about food in 80s movies. We're dishing out essays on Mystic Pizza, The Peanut Butter Solution, Attack of the Killer Tomatoes, The Stuff, Tampopo, The Milagro Beanfield War, Eat the Rich and Fast Food. Nomination for Best Fanzine at Canzine.
Issue #7: The Entertainers Issue
From stage and screen, to traveling circuses and vacant lots in Pittsburgh. Here come the entertainers. For this issue, we're watching Spinal Tap, Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, Big Top Pee Wee, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Knightriders, Punchline, The Fabulous Baker Boys, and The Big Picture.
Issue #10: The Road Trip Issue
Girls, on Film is hitting the road with these 80s movies: Pee Wee's Big Adventure; Ferris Bueller's Day Off; Planes, Trains, and Automobiles; Withnail & I; Three for the Road; Leningrad Cowboys Do America; Fandango; and Thunder Alley. Remember to use the bathroom before we go!
Issue #19: The Family-Friendly Films Issue
Looking for 80s films to share with the kiddies? Girls, on Film #19 features classic family films like: The Great Muppet Caper, The Last Unicorn, Flight of the Navigator, The Neverending Story, Honey I Shrunk the Kids, Troop Beverly Hills, My Neighbor Totoro, and Troll.
Issue #20: The Girls, on Film Anniversary Issue
In the Annivesary Issue, Girls, on Film celebrates girls, on film. We discuss the life and work of some of a few of our favorite women in 80s films: Winona Ryder, Molly Ringwald, Jami Gertz, Joan Cusack, Annabeth Gish, Edie McClurg, Sally Field, and director Susan Seidelman.
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Issue #25: The Fight Issue
Everybody's kung fu fighting! Lots of other fighting, too. Join our 80s brawl crawl, featuring: You'll find plenty in this issue, all about romance films of the 1980s. We discuss: Karate Kid, Roadhouse, Revenge of the Ninja, Big Trouble in Little China, Roadhouse, PK & the Kid, The Last Dragon, For Y'Ur Height Only.
BEHIND THE ZINES
Stephanie McDevitt, Co-Founder/Editor
Stephanie's one big disappointment in life is that she wasn’t old enough to fully appreciate popular clothing styles in the 1980s, as she was mostly attired in paisley sweatsuits. A full-time editor and occasional freelancer, Stephanie looks nostalgically back on '80s films such as Ernest Goes to Camp, Adventures in Babysitting, and Can’t Buy Me Love and wishes she could pull off the hairdos of Cindy Mancini and her friends.
Janene Scelza, Co-Founder/Editor
Janene has made plenty of zines over the years. She spent a hefty part of her teens combing musty video stores and public libraries for all the '80s movies she could find. There were lists! Janene's got plenty of favorites from the decade, but it’s stylish indie films like Desperately Seeking Susan, Repo Man, and The Terminator that she loves best.
GUEST WRITE FOR THE ZINE.
Girls, on Film welcomes guest writers! Send a resume and writing samples to info@girlsonfilmzine.com.
Dr. Rhonda Baughman, Contributing Writer
Rhonda, a teacher and freelance writer, raised adolescent hell in the '80s and the horror films of that era were her BFFs! She loves all of '80s pop culture, but nothing spoke to her quite like Sorority Babes in the Slimeball Bowl-O-Rama, Nightmare Sisters, and Reform School Girls. She got her Video Time Video rental card at 9 years old and never looked back. Or forward, really; she still loves her VHS and sweet, sweet VCR.
Matt Scelza, Contributing Writer
Matt loves to dissect and analyze everything. He is stoked to join his sister, Janene, as a co-writer. He logged a lot of hours at the same video stores and public library film collections with Janene in search of odd and unusual titles. However, he's got too many favorites to name.