Jan Oxenberg

Jan Oxenberg, born in 1950 in Brooklyn, New York, is a prominent American film producer, director, editor, and screenwriter. She is particularly recognized for her contributions to lesbian feminist cinema and television. Oxenberg began her education at Barnard College before transferring to the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts), where she studied feminist art and later film.

Career Highlights

• Television Work: Oxenberg has written and produced for several notable TV series, including:
  • Pretty Little Liars
  • Cold Case
  • Chicago Hope
  • Once and Again, which featured pioneering storylines involving lesbian characters.
• Film Contributions: She directed influential films such as:
  • Home Movie, one of the first feminist lesbian films.
  • Thank You and Good Night, a documentary reflecting on her grandmother's death.

Notable Achievements

• In 1997, she wrote an episode of Relativity that included the first kiss between two lesbian characters on American primetime television.
• Oxenberg has been involved in various projects focusing on themes of feminism and LGBTQ+ representation throughout her career.

Personal Life

Oxenberg is openly lesbian and has been an active voice in feminist movements since the early second wave of feminism. She has also engaged in educational initiatives related to liberation movements.

Her work continues to influence both television and independent film, showcasing diverse narratives and characters.