Blog post by Kimberly Capehart, Documentary Studies and Production '16, FLEFF Blogger, Cherry Hill, NJ

Uncomfortable. Conflicting. Incompatible.

Dissonance.

For me, the past year has been all about breaking out of my comfort zone, and that is reflected in the theme of this year’s Finger Lakes Environmental Film Festival. 

I’ve come a long way in the last 12 months: from a timid, nervous freshman to a confident woman figuring out who and where she wants to be in the world. I’ve broken down walls that I built up and pushed myself to the edge of what used to be my comfort zone.

As a Documentary Studies and Production major, I’m required to take courses in film, photography, and journalism. Film and photography have always excited me, but as a freshman with very little confidence in my writing ability, the idea of journalism classes made my stomach churn.

I felt awkward amongst my peers and every writing assignment took me an excruciatingly long time to complete. 

But here I am, a year later, blogging for the Finger Lakes Environmental Film Festival and writing for Buzzsaw Magazine. I pushed myself through all of my initial discomfort and found that I actually really like to write, and I’m not too bad at it either.

Dissonance is a clash of elements that produces an uncomfortable result.

I’m excited to explore the theme through films, performances, lectures, conversations, and by continuing to push myself out of my comfort zone each and every day.

What does Dissonance mean to you?