About the Film

Generation Nerd Girl is an inspirational feature documentary exploring the exciting generational change taking place for women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) through the lens of one of its bold leaders – Dr. Karen Panetta, Dean of Graduate Education for the School of Engineering at Tufts University. Recent data from LinkedIn’s millions of platform members shows women are now entering STEM careers in record numbers. Dean Panetta, a 2011 winner of the Presidential Award for Excellence in STEM Mentoring, has been a bridge to the change, having taught, mentored and inspired hundreds of young women from all over the world. 

 Generation Nerd Girl will introduce the highly personable Dean Panetta, show the challenges and perseverance it took for her to break through endemic sexism and will explore the teaching and mentoring insights she specifically developed to help open the path to STEM success for young women and girls. We’ll see how she also extended the same techniques and opportunities to BIPOC men who have experienced many of the same challenges as women in STEM. Interviews and archival material will introduce some of Dean Panetta’s mentees and highlight the impact of their career choices on their lives and our greater society. Even though there is good news, key industries are still not even at 20% representation for women. We’ll highlight the continuing work of Dr. Panetta, her mentees, and others to eliminate the remaining inclusion challenges for future generations. 

• Producer/Director Karen Johnson’s mission for 20+ years has been to elevate women’s stories and women storytellers, specifically challenging the stereotypes of women and girls via the entertainment media. She has produced a number of features with women directors and writers including 2019 Tribeca/Cannes documentary Making Waves: The Art of Cinematic Sound,  with Director/Producer Midge Costin and Producer/Writer Bobette Buster;  2018 Sundance documentary  Kusama: Infinity with Producer/Director/Writer Heather Lenz; and 2005 Toronto documentary Double Dare with Director/Cinematographer Amanda Micheli and Producer Danielle Renfrew. 
• Producer/Writer Bobette Buster is the Special Projects Adj. Professor at Tufts University, teaching “Finding Your Voice in Science Communication.” She is  the Writer/Producer of the feature documentary, Making Waves:  The Art of Cinematic Sound, with Karen Johnson and Midge Costin (Director) and is the author of DO STORY: How to Tell Your Story So the World Listens (Do Book Co.UK, 2013; Chronicle Books (US), now in its 13th printing (translated into five languages), and DO LISTEN: Understand What’s Really Being Said, Find A New Way Forwards, Do Book Co (UK) 2018; (translated in French, 2nd printing). lecture.  Her TEDx Lecture, The Radical Act of Storytelling, has 250K+ views.   

Character-Driven Feature Documentary Explores Why Record Number of Young Women are Entering STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) and Its Impact

The Roy W. Dean Film Grant is awarded to a film that is unique and makes a contribution to society. The final Roy W. Dean Film Grant of 2021 goes to the documentary Generation Nerd Girl.  Presented four times each year by From the Heart Productions, the top-rated non-profit dedicated to helping indie filmmakers get their films funded and completed, the Roy W. Dean Film Grant provides the winner with cash and production services.  Producer/Director Karen Johnson and Producer/Writer Bobette Buster will use the grant to help them continue production on their project. 

 “Karen and Bobette have been researching this film for years.  They are passionate and determined to empower women with information on how to get into these fields.” commented Carole Dean, President of From the Heart Productions. “This is just what women need, encouragement and guidance to break through in these high paying jobs..”

 In addition to the $3,000 in cash provided by From the Heart Productions the winner will also receive $15,000.00 in original music written by well-known composer David Raiklen, $6,000.00 in animation from Emmy award winner Charlie Canfield, $700 one week DSLR camera package rental from Birns & Sawyer , and more from heart-felt film industry companies and individuals.