Jen Vargas is a fierce, lifelong advocate for equality and inclusivity. She works with The Center Orlando to help coordinate appearances of Angel Action Wings, a dedicated group of volunteers formed shortly after June 12, 2016, who have donated countless hours of their time to help comfort our community. Volunteers stand strong and proud, wearing 7-foot PVC wings to honor those slain at Pulse. As one of Angel Action Wings’ original volunteers — whether in a sling or a scooter — Jen has always shown up and has never missed a request for the Angels to appear.
Most don’t realize how much Jen does to help people in and outside of our Central Florida community — and she prefers it that way! During the COVID lockdown last year, Jen clocked hundreds of miles across Central Florida as a volunteer driver for Orlando Face Mask Strong and the Million Mask Challenge which helped deliver hand sewn face masks to local hospitals and organizations who needed them quickly. Online, Jen was part of the original 20+ person global Facebook moderation team for Open Source COVID-19 Medical Supplies, which provided local makers with sourced links to designs and support in organizing local value chains to create and distribute much needed protective gear and equipment with local communities.
Her biggest passion project is FilmSlam at the Orlando Museum Of Art, where she serves as host and producer. Born of the need for local filmmakers to meet, screen and collaborate, FilmSlam debuted in 2004 at the former Downtown Media Arts Center in Orlando. Jen has been involved for nearly all 18 years! When FilmSlam lost its longtime venue in 2019, Jen stepped up, evolving FilmSlam into a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization to preserve FilmSlam’s place in the community and to ensure that, no matter the venue, FilmSlam’s monthly screenings and networking events would continue, promoting inclusivity, experimentation, creativity, constructive feedback and positive support for filmmakers of all levels.
Like the world did, FilmSlam went dark in March 2020 and has remained temporarily closed since. Thanks to its loyal filmmakers and audience, FilmSlam will return to in-person, monthly screenings in January. Monthly programming incorporates a handful of themed months including; FemmeSlam (May) which celebrates filmmakers who happen to be female, a celebration of LGBTQ+ filmmakers and how our community remained united after Pulse (June), and a very popular horror/suspense themed program (October).
To view the full list of Watermark’s Remarkable People of 2021, click here.
