By Kristina Houser

The Secret Lives of Girls, a compilation of 18 short films, is a whirlwind offering of a little bit of everything. From as far away as Fiji and Madagascar to as near as Elm Street, The Secret Lives of Girls brings together filmmakers that have one thing in common: they are all under 18 years old.

The collection of shorts does not have a central theme, and each piece ranges widely in style. The Lonely Balloon, a quirky claymation featuring the journey of a single red balloon, is followed by Ringing of the Belles, a significantly darker piece exploring the realities of death and destruction.

Several of the films explore intimate facets of the filmmakers’ own lives. Hannah Sullivan’s piece raises a question that many young girls ask themselves: “Is normal good enough?” Fijian filmmaker Lora Paue’s short lasts less than two minutes but leaves a strong impression as she explains why her life is about “struggling for the best.”

Interspersed within more poignant pieces are lighthearted shorts that are sure to brighten any mood. Bananarama is set in downtown Columbia and features a man in a gorilla suit, and Mamma Knows Best provides a friendly reminder of the universal truth that disobeying your mother is never a good idea.

The Secret Lives of Girls compilation encapsulates the very heart of the Citizen Jane Film Festival, spotlighting women filmmakers and celebrating their talent. The fact that all of the films are the creations of young girls is evidence of the bright future of women in film. Dark and disturbing at times and eccentric and abstract at others, the array of styles in The Secret Lives of Girls leaves the audience laughing, thinking, sometimes on the verge of crying but always impressed by the filmmakers’ aptitude.

VOX RATING = VVV – MAKE THE MATINEE