Dr. Christina Hodel

Dr. Christina Hodel is an award-winning filmmaker, screenwriter, actress, film and television scholar, and educator. She is an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication Studies at Bridgewater State University, where she teaches filmmaking and film studies. She holds a PhD in Film and Media Studies from the University of Kansas, an MA in Individualized Study (Film/Dance) from New York University, and a BA in Film and Electronic Arts from California State University, Long Beach. 

As a practicing artist, Christina has written, directed, produced, acted in, and edited a wide range of projects, including industrials, PSAs, commercials, event trailers, video installations, narrative films, and documentaries. Her award-winning feature documentary, "Freedom Love Gold," has screened at more than 17 festivals worldwide. Her latest film, "American Foulbrood", has also garnered awards and screened at over 21 festivals across the globe. Her work has earned funding, awards, and screenings at festivals such as Docs Without Borders, Rome Prisma Independent Film Awards, Essex Doc Fest, American Golden Picture International Film Festival, Tallgrass International Film Festival, Bare Bones International Film and Music Festival, and Lady’s First International Film Festival, among others. She has also worked with major networks and studios including HBO, CBS, ABC, NBC, Showtime, Freeform, 20th Century Fox, Warner Brothers, Sony Pictures, Universal Pictures, and The CW. 

Her research focuses on gender, identity, and girl power in “tween” television. Her book Disney Channel's Extraordinary Girls: Gender in 2000s Tween Sitcoms is published by Lexington Books. She has been interviewed by Bustle, CanvasRebel Magazine, Voices of America, and the Because It Was On podcast.