Joshen Mantai

Joshen Mantai serves as the 2021-2022 Director of Social Media Strategy. She enjoys shamelessly listening to Taylor Swift/Ariana Grande, fantasizing about having a cat and roasting others when they least expect it.

February 19, 2020

“To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You”: Does It Live Up to the Hype?

By Joshen Mantai

I fittingly watched the movie in my bed on Valentine’s Day, hopeful that it would live up to the book’s rollercoaster of emotions.

February 2, 2020

Didn’t Make it to SBIFF 2020? Here’s Everything You Missed

By Kristina Valencia, Joshen Mantai, Ivan Gonzalez, Aubrey Valerio, Alexandra Lee, Liliana Linan

Your handy-dandy guide for what happened at SBIFF this year!

January 17, 2020

“She’s in Portland” but We’re in Isla Vista: I.V. Makes Cameo in New Indie Film

By Joshen Mantai

Skoog’s experience as a student at UCSB and as a resident of Isla Vista inspired Carlini’s decision to include Isla Vista in the film, a location that is difficult to replicate in a Hollywood studio.

January 11, 2020

A Fresh Take On The New Year

By Joshen Mantai

Joshen Mantai reimagines the concept of the New Year's resolution.

October 10, 2019

What Does Family Mean in 2019?

By Joshen Mantai

Joshen Mantai discusses the evolution of our definition of family.

August 27, 2019

In Review: ‘Lover’ by Taylor Swift

By Joshen Mantai

“Lover” tackles not only love, but also topics of politics, sexism and individualism that vary from the typical subjects of Swift's music.

August 7, 2019

In Disney Live Remakes, the Magic is Lost

By Joshen Mantai

Joshen Mantai assesses the recent deluge of Disney live-action remakes.

June 28, 2019

Should Past Mistakes Define a Person’s Future?

By Joshen Mantai

Social media posts are often perceived as private and impermanent. Reflecting on two recent news items, Joshen Mantai insists that they are anything but.

April 24, 2019

Getting A’s and Taking L’s

By Joshen Mantai

Joshen Mantai examines how academic pressure has negatively impacted her mental health in college.

March 9, 2019

Argument in the Office: Are Beauty Pageants Feminist or Flawed?

By Joshen Mantai, Emily Hickingbottom

Joshen Mantai and Emily Hickingbottom debate the value of beauty pageants in today's society. Are they testaments to the feminist movement, or are they holding women back in the era of #MeToo?

March 1, 2019

Don’t Be Afraid To Call Your Friends Out

By Joshen Mantai

Joshen Mantai stresses the importance of speaking up when your loved ones need to be called out.

February 20, 2019

Michael B. Jordan Highlights This Year’s SBIFF

By Joshen Mantai

The 34th annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival showcased some of Hollywood’s biggest stars along with award-winning short films and documentaries.