ANN ARBOR, Mich. – From the University of Michigan’s campus to the halls of the Smithsonian, the short film “Skate Witches” has left its mark on punk rock culture and female empowerment. Created in 1986, this two-minute Super 8 short film continues to inspire generations of women in skateboarding and alternative culture.
The Birth of the Skatewitches
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“I’m the best female skateboarder in town and I’ll fight anyone who begs to differ” - this bold declaration from the film encapsulated the spirit of three women who would become known as the Skate Witches: Dana, Karen, and Jenny.
The trio emerged from Ann Arbor’s punk rock scene of the 1980s. “We were outliers. We were the punk rock kids of college and at that time in the 80s, there wasn’t many of us. So we tended to gravitate together,” recalls Dana Forrester, who, along with her then-boyfriend and film director Danny Plotnick, was studying film at the University of Michigan.
A DIY Punk Rock Classic
The film’s creation was as DIY as it gets. Shot on Super 8 film, which cost $35 for just three minutes of footage and required hand-cutting, “Skate Witches” was filmed on the University of Michigan’s Diag. The concept emerged organically from the women’s daily lives. It all started when Dana wanted to use her skateboard to get around the University’s large campus. The three women also had pet rats they kept with them (with Karen’s rat “Uncle Fester” becoming a star).
Karen “The Queen Witch” Kibler, who graduated cum laude from the University of Michigan with degrees in teaching and art education, gave the film its iconic punk aesthetic. She hand-lettered Dana’s leather jacket using masking tape and white acrylic paint - a jacket that has now earned its place in the Smithsonian.
Cultural Impact and Legacy
What started as a spontaneous project has grown into a cultural touchstone. The film has inspired:
- Academic theses on feminism
- Fan art and homemade merchandise
- A dedicated fanzine
- Modern skateboarding groups like Brujas, a Latina skater collective
“One of the things that I’m most proud of is that it really seems to speak to kind of strong-fierce women of all kinds of walks of life,” says Jenny Parker, who went on to become an educator specializing in special education and inclusionary practices.
Where Are They Now?
Today, the Skatewitches continue to embody the DIY spirit that made their film legendary:
- Dana Forrester owns several tattoo shops in Michigan, including Ritual and Lucky Monkey in Ann Arbor, and performs in two rock bands.
- Karen Kibler pursued her passion for art and education, earning degrees in teaching and printmaking. She is now an industrial sewer/product developer for Adept Furniture.
- Jenny Parker recently retired after two decades in education, focusing on inclusionary practices for children with disabilities and multilingual students.
- Director Danny Plotnick now runs the film program at the University of San Francisco, where he continues to inspire students to create Super 8 films.
A Lasting Message of Empowerment
“I think so many people, especially young women, have connected with it because there’s an innocence to it,” reflects Dana. “We were just being ourselves -- and at that time, there wasn’t a lot of female skateboarders. I mean, there wasn’t any. But we didn’t care. We were just empowered.”
The film’s journey to the Smithsonian represents more than just preservation of a punk rock artifact - it’s a testament to the enduring power of authenticity. As Karen notes, it was about showing women “they could be their own people” and that they “didn’t have to be the backup singer to our lives anymore. We could be the main character.”
From its humble beginnings on the University of Michigan campus to its current status as a piece of preserved cultural history, “Skate Witches” continues to inspire new generations to embrace their authentic selves, challenge norms, and maybe even carry a pet rat while skateboarding.
Watch the Original Short Film Here: