South Middlesex Times

Kiana Rosa Fischer, a Rutgers University–New Brunswick alumna and dance instructor at the Mason Gross School of the Arts, has added filmmaker to her list of roles. Fischer, who is also a freelance dancer, choreographer, and Pilates instructor, wrote, produced, and directed an 8-minute experimental dance film titled "These Years." The film will be screened as part of the Fall 2024 New Jersey Film Festival.

The screening is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 13 at 7 p.m. in Room 105 of Voorhees Hall, located at 71 Hamilton St., New Brunswick, N.J. The short films will also be available online as on-demand videos for 24 hours on the same day. Tickets are priced at $15 for both online and in-person viewing.

Fischer graduated from Mason Gross in 2016 and balances her professional life with raising two children while expecting her third. Reflecting on her journey into filmmaking, she said: “Honestly, my current pregnancy sparked its creation... Making a dance film was the clearest option.”

"These Years" delves into themes surrounding motherhood and conflicting desires. Fischer explained: “The film wrestles with conflicting desires specifically surrounding motherhood... I hope people know it's OK to be confused sometimes.”

Fischer shared one of her cherished memories from Rutgers: “I think it was my sophomore year; we had a terrible blizzard... We didn’t have classes for almost that whole week.”