Riot Grrrl: Denver's Punk Rebellion - A Documentary Film

Punk rock. It’s loud, it’s angry, it’s expressive. Punk music is known for rejecting the mainstream, with lyrics that are often rebellious and anti-establishment, combined with fast-paced instrumentation from guitars, bass, and drums. You know many of their names: Nirvana, Green Day, The Clash, The Ramones.

But we aren’t here to talk about them.

Our film Riot Grrrl: Denver’s Punk Rebellion, instead spotlights the alternative female-led punk rock movement of the 90s. Our documentary traces the history of Riot Grrrls in Denver Colorado, starting at their origins and moving into the anti-patriarchal punk scene of the present.

We’ll explore how the subculture of “Riot Grrls” has been applied to the lives of bands formed in Denver in the 90s and compare that with more recent bands. Their stories of discovering and becoming Riot Grrrls will show how feminism in the music space has changed and given a more diverse range of people the ability to share their experiences and perspectives. We want to answer the question of if the term “Riot Grrrl” still holds relevance in the punk space or if its tendency towards exclusionary feminism is seen as problematic today.

It’s important to reflect on the history of the Riot Grrrl movement and how it opened doors for women in the punk space in the 1990s, but has room for critique as feminism has taken on a more intersectional lens. Punk music is still incredibly popular and yet still incredibly male-dominated, which is why this story needs to highlight a more diverse range of voices.

This film is a part of our Documentary Capstone course at the University of Denver, and we want to highlight this story to the best of our ability.

What your donations will be used for:

Our crew:

We are the perfect team to make this film because we have an interest in Denver’s diverse underground music scene and punk culture. Kailey, our Director, also has an educational background in Gender and Women’s Studies, and we're all passionate about showcasing stories about movements against oppressive systems. Stories like this are especially relevant in the current social and political climate.

We are incredibly grateful for your donations, as we wouldn't be able to make the film without them. Those who contribute to the film will receive a special thanks in its credits. Thank you all so much.