Newsletter Archives - Without Exception Films

WXF June 2025 Newsletter

June 13, 2025/in Newsletter/by wxf

Charlotte and Dena Holding the Gaia Award

UNMUTED Wins Award at ROLA Festival!

Our docuseries UNMUTED, specifically the episode “Child Brides,” won the Gaia Award at the Ray of Light Awards Festival in Ibiza! ROLA is an international film, TV, and web festival that celebrates global creators and impactful storytelling. This festival is inspired by and dedicated to actor Ray Stevenson.

The Gaia Award recognizes work that highlights the power of female essence and honors women as leaders. We’re incredibly proud of everyone who contributed to UNMUTED and grateful to receive this distinguished honor!

Continue reading to see how you can support our mission and become involved in our UNMUTED impact campaign! ⬇️

Charlotte Interviewed at ROLA

Participate in the UNMUTED Screening Tour!

Last month, we officially launched the grassroots screening tour for UNMUTED! We’re calling for organizations, universities, and communities around the world to host private and exclusive screenings. Each screening is accompanied by a discussion guide, promotional toolkit, and opportunities for deeper engagement. There is still time to register and get involved with this powerful movement to end gender-based violence. We encourage you to be a part of this important initiative!

Sign up to host a screening here or email unmuted@picturemotion.com with any questions!

FGM Survivor Shares Her Story on TikTok

Original Article from The New York Times

Shamsa Sharawe, a survivor of female genital mutilation (FGM), has gained recognition on TikTok for sharing her story and surgical reconstruction journey. Ms. Sharawe, who was cut at six years old in Somalia, uses her platform to raise awareness on FGM and advocate for more discourse around the subject matter.

Though FGM is illegal in many countries, millions of girls are still subjected to the practice, and tens of thousands of them have died as a result. Survivors suffer from physical pain and emotional trauma from FGM. Reconstruction surgeries have eased the pain and changed the lives of numerous FGM survivors. In 2023, Ms. Sharawe traveled from her home in Britain to Germany for a surgical procedure to reconstruct her genitalia and documented her experience on TikTok. In addition to raising awareness about FGM, Ms. Sharawe’s goal is to fight the stigma around women’s health and share resources with other FGM survivors.

For our docuseries UNMUTED, we spoke with Dr. Marci L. Bowers, a gynecologic surgeon based in the San Francisco Bay Area. She is considered a pioneer in the field of Gender Affirmation Surgery and the first US surgeon to learn the technique of functional clitoral restoration after FGM.

DID YOU KNOW

Genital reconstruction surgeries are available in some parts of the United States, Europe, and Africa. The N.H.S., England’s healthcare system which provides almost every medical treatment, only covers one service called deinfibulation for the most severe cases of FGM. The N.H.S. does not fund reconstruction surgeries, leaving people like Ms. Sharawe with significant medical debts.

Support us by donating to our impact campaign.

If you’ve enjoyed our newsletters, please consider contributing to our UNMUTED docuseries impact campaign to help us further our mission.

We aim to take UNMUTED on the road in 2025 by hosting screenings, panels, and policy workshops with our impact partners to put an end on the harmful practices on women and girls featured in the series. With your help, we are one step closer to stopping child marriage, stopping FGM/C and preventing acid violence by changing laws and minds.

Learn more about our work and also contribute here:

Contribute Here

WXF May 2025 Newsletter

May 16, 2025/in Newsletter/by wxf

UNMUTED Screening Tour Now Live!

We’ve officially launched the grassroots screening tour for UNMUTED — and we’re inviting organizations, universities, and communities around the world to host exclusive screenings and be part of this powerful movement to end gender-based violence. Each screening comes with a discussion guide, promotional toolkit, and opportunities for deeper engagement.

Sign up to host a screening here or email unmuted@picturemotion.com with any questions!

WXF’s Charlotte Attends Storytelling Workshop

Charlotte recently attended Bo Eason’s Personal Story Power Event. The workshop was led by former NFL player and acclaimed performer Bo Eason. Like the name suggests, the three-day workshop focused on how to utilize the power of personal story to attract an audience, adapt one’s communication approach, and build trust with audience. We look forward to implementing the concepts into our work!

From Sierra Leone to the U.S.: The Fight for Reproductive Health

Original Article from Politico and The Associated Press

Sierra Leone may soon become the second West African country to decriminalize abortion under a proposed Safe Motherhood Bill, allowing the procedure in cases of rape, incest, and life-threatening conditions. While initially broader, the bill was narrowed after pushback from religious leaders, and a parliamentary vote is expected soon.

Meanwhile, on the States side, the Trump administration is withholding Title X funding, threatening critical services like birth control and cancer screenings at clinics such as Planned Parenthood. The freeze could impact over a million primarily low-income women, worsen healthcare disparities, and result in $3 million in lost annual funding for Planned Parenthood across five states.

DID YOU KNOW

Title X was established in 1970 when Congress passed the Family Planning Services and Population Research Act. Signed into law by President Richard Nixon, it was the first federal program dedicated to providing comprehensive family planning and preventive health services.

Photo From: Wikipedia Commons

Honoring Notable Women Born in May

Sally Kristen Ride (May 26, 1951 – July 23, 2012)

Born in Los Angeles on May 26, 1951, Sally Ride made history as the first American woman in space. After joining NASA in 1978 as part of the first astronaut class to include women, she launched aboard the space shuttle Challenger on June 18, 1983. As a mission specialist, Ride operated the shuttle’s robotic arm and helped deploy satellites.

She held a PhD in physics from Stanford and used her platform to inspire young people, especially girls, to explore science, technology, engineering, and math. After retiring from NASA, she became a professor and co-founded Sally Ride Science, a nonprofit dedicated to making science education more inclusive and accessible.

Did You Know?

Sally Ride was only 32 years old when she made her first spaceflight, making her the youngest American astronaut to reach space at the time.

Support us by donating to our impact campaign.

If you’ve enjoyed our newsletters, please consider contributing to our UNMUTED docuseries impact campaign to help us further our mission.

We aim to take UNMUTED on the road in 2025 by hosting screenings, panels, and policy workshops with our impact partners to put an end on the harmful practices on women and girls featured in the series. With your help, we are one step closer to stopping child marriage, stopping FGM/C and preventing acid violence by changing laws and minds.

Learn more about our work and also contribute here:

Contribute Here

WXF April 2025 Newsletter

April 14, 2025/in Newsletter/by wxf

Stay Tuned for Our Collaboration with Picture Motion

In case you missed our last newsletter, we’re continuing our work on the UNMUTED impact campaign with Picture Motion, and we couldn’t be more excited by what’s taking shape.

Stay tuned for more updates as we continue our work! Meanwhile, please follow our social media via the icons on top of this newsletter! ⬆️

And if you are interested in hosting a screening of UNMUTED and would like to request a screener, please fill out this form and we’ll get in touch with you!

Memorializing the Armenian Genocide: From 1915 to Today

April 24 marks the anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, when an estimated 1.5 million Armenians were systematically killed and displaced by the Ottoman Empire, modern-day Turkey, beginning in 1915. Armenian women experienced particularly severe forms of violence, including mass killings, forced deportations, abductions, and assimilation. Many were subjected to sexual violence, forced conversions, and the erasure of cultural identity through placement in foreign households.

To this day, the Armenian Genocide remains a point of contention, as the Turkish government does not formally recognize it as genocide. This legacy of denial, combined with geopolitical tensions in the region, continues to shape the experiences of Armenians today. In 2020, Turkey provided political and military support to Azerbaijan during its offensive in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), a conflict that resulted in significant civilian casualties and the displacement of tens of thousands of people—many of them women and children. That trauma deepened again in 2023 when over 120,000 ethnic Armenians fled Artsakh following a months-long blockade and, according to human rights observers, a renewed military operation by Azerbaijan. In September, drone and artillery strikes reportedly hit civilian areas, killing dozens, including women, children, and the elderly. Once again, many Armenian women were forced to leave behind their homes, communities, and livelihoods.

As we commemorate the genocide, we also recognize the ongoing challenges faced by Armenians and acknowledge the resilience of Armenian women—past and present—who continue to navigate displacement, violence, and erasure with strength and determination.

Continue Reading…

Photo From: Wikipedia

Honoring Maya Angelou (April 4, 1928 – May 28, 2014)

Original Article from 19th News

Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Maya Angelou was a poet, performer, activist, and author whose work left a lasting impact on American culture. Overcoming a difficult childhood marked by trauma and silence, she found her voice through writing and the arts. Her 1969 memoir, “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings”, broke new ground with its honest portrayal of Black womanhood and resilience.

Throughout her life, Angelou was also a singer, dancer, civil rights activist, and educator. She wrote and performed poetry, worked with prominent civil rights leaders including Martin Luther King Jr., and later read at President Clinton’s inauguration. Angelou remains a symbol of strength, creativity, and the power of speaking one’s truth.

DID YOU KNOW

Maya Angelou turned 40 on April 4, 1968, the same day Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated. The devastating news deeply affected her, and for years afterward, she chose not to celebrate her birthday. Instead, she and Coretta Scott King, Dr. King’s widow, shared a quiet tradition. Every year on that day, they would send each other flowers or make a phone call, honoring his memory with love and remembrance.

Support us by donating to our impact campaign.

If you’ve enjoyed our newsletters, please consider contributing to our UNMUTED docuseries impact campaign to help us further our mission.

We aim to take UNMUTED on the road in 2025 by hosting screenings, panels, and policy workshops with our impact partners to put an end on the harmful practices on women and girls featured in the series. With your help, we are one step closer to stopping child marriage, stopping FGM/C and preventing acid violence by changing laws and minds.

Learn more about our work and also contribute here:

Contribute Here

WXF February 2025 Newsletter

February 17, 2025/in Newsletter/by wxf

WXF Welcomes New Winter/Spring Intern

Ani Saroyan joined us this month as our Winter/Spring intern! Majoring in both Political Science and Public Affairs at UCLA, Ani is invested in film, social issues, and storytelling that drives change. During her time with us, she’ll contribute to meaningful projects, gain hands-on experience in the non-fiction space, and build valuable connections. Welcome, Ani!

By UCLA – UCLA Arts Brand Guide, Public Domain

Photo by U.S. Army: First Class Of Women At West Point Academy In 1976

West Point Closes Clubs For Women And Minorities

Original Article from AP News

Recent policy changes at West Point Academy have led to the dissolution of student-led organizations focused on gender, race, and identity, impacting vital support systems for female cadets and other underrepresented groups. These clubs provided mentorship, leadership opportunities, and a sense of belonging in an institution where women and minority groups have historically faced unique challenges.

The same memo issued by West Point also ordered all other cadet clubs to pause activities until officials can review the groups to ensure that they comply with Trump administration rules.

DID YOU KNOW

One of the disbanded clubs, The Corbin Forum, a leadership and advocacy club for female cadets at West Point, was founded in 1976, the same year women were first admitted to the academy, to support their integration into military life. The club was named after Margaret Corbin, a Revolutionary War heroine, and the first woman to receive a military pension, the forum aimed to educate cadets on women’s roles in the military and address challenges faced by female cadets. Over the years, it became a vital space for mentorship, leadership development, and discussions on gender integration in the armed forces.

Support us by donating to our impact campaign.

If you’ve enjoyed our newsletters, please consider contributing to our UNMUTED docuseries impact campaign to help us further our mission.

We aim to take UNMUTED on the road in 2025 by hosting screenings, panels, and policy workshops with our impact partners to put an end on the harmful practices on women and girls featured in the series. With your help, we are one step closer to stopping child marriage, stopping FGM/C and preventing acid violence by changing laws and minds.

Learn more about our work and also contribute here:

Contribute Here

WXF January 2025 Newsletter

January 15, 2025/in Newsletter/by wxf

WXF Updates

WXF Launches New Website!

We are very excited to announce that we have launched our brand-new website in the first month of 2025! We worked with our brilliant partners at Mediaboom to renovate our website and give it a new look. And we are finally able to show it to you!

The new website features more information about our company, our team, and our projects, and provides an easy way to communicate with us. Please check it out!

Stay Informed

Help us drive social change by learning about the topics we cover.

Photo by Cal Fire

Los Angeles Wildfires

Without Exception Films is proud to call Los Angeles home. As seen in the news, the city is currently enduring devastating wildfires, among the most destructive in its history. We extend our deepest gratitude to the first responders for their brave efforts in safeguarding lives and property. Our thoughts are with everyone affected by these tragic events.

We encourage you to support the ongoing relief efforts. Contributions to reputable charities and verified crowdfunding campaigns can make a significant impact for those in need.

Here is a list of top-rated charities compiled by NBC4 and GoFundMe-verified campaigns supporting those impacted. Together, we can help our community recover and rebuild.

Jimmy Carter’s Legacy on Women and Girls Rights Advocacy

Original Article from 19th News

During his presidency from 1977 to 1981, Jimmy Carter championed women’s rights through significant legislative and policy actions. For example, Carter appointed 41 women to federal judgeships, including Ruth Bader Ginsburg to the U.S. Court of Appeals, a record at the time. His efforts laid the foundation for the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), although it ultimately fell short of ratification during his tenure. Carter also advocated for wage equity and appointed women to leadership roles in government, showcasing his commitment to gender equality in governance. A permanent office was also created in the East Wing of the White House for the first lady, which, to this day, elevates the role and responsibility of the first ladies.

DID YOU KNOW

After leaving office, Carter continued to advocate for women’s rights globally through the Carter Center, founded in 1982. He worked to combat systemic inequality, focusing on issues such as violence against women, education, and reproductive rights. Carter frequently highlighted the ERA’s unfinished legacy, urging continued action to secure gender equality in the United States. His post-presidency work expanded internationally, drawing attention to the critical need for justice and equity for women across all societies.

Paying It Forward

Support us by donating to our impact campaign.

If you’ve enjoyed our newsletters in the past year, please consider contributing to our UNMUTED docuseries impact campaign to help us further our mission. We aim to take UNMUTED on the road in 2025 by hosting screenings, panels, and policy workshops with our impact partners to put an end on the harmful practices on women and girls featured in the series.

Learn more about our work and also contribute here:

Contribute Here

WXF December 2024 Newsletter

December 16, 2024/in Newsletter/by Without Exception Films

WXF Updates

Wishing You a Happy Holiday Season!

We at Without Exception Films would like to extend our best wishes to you as 2024 comes to an end and the Holiday Season arrives. It’s been an incredible year, and we are grateful for your support this year!

Happy holidays! And looking forward to seeing you in 2025!

WXF Attends the “Impact + Profit” Conference

Last week, the WXF team attended SIE Society’s “Impact + Profit” annual conference. Spanning two days, it was a thought-provoking event featuring great panels and opportunities to network with over 350 fellow professionals in the entertainment industry, all focused on creating impact.

David Linde, the former CEO at Participant Media, was invited to speak at one of the panels. We are thankful for his role at Participant and the inspirational work that Participant did over many years.

We had many honest conversations with everyone and, perhaps not surprisingly, learned that most people are still trying to figure out how to make profit AND impact at the same time in the current media landscape.

We also want to extend a big thank you to SIE Society for organizing the conference and look forward to the next one in 2025!

Stay Informed

Help us drive social change by learning about the topics we cover.

California Removes Slurs Targeting Indigenous Women From Location Names

Original Article from LA Times

On Friday, November 13th, the California Natural Resources Agency announced plans to replace a derogatory term historically used in over 30 geographic locations throughout the state. This action is part of a broader initiative stemming from legislation signed in 2022 by Governor Gavin Newsom, which prohibits the use of the term in future place names and mandates its removal from existing locations. Deputy Secretary for Tribal Affairs, Geneva Thompson, the first to hold the role and a member of the Cherokee Nation, expressed the importance of this decision as a step toward acknowledging and addressing historical injustices against Indigenous peoples. The process of renaming these sites is set to begin in early 2025, aiming to foster healing and create inclusive communities.

DID YOU KNOW

In West Sacramento, local agencies collaborated with the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation to rename two streets. The chosen name, “Tebti,” translates to “the streams that flow together,” symbolizing the meeting of the Sacramento and American rivers. This effort represents a meaningful partnership between tribal and local authorities to honor Indigenous cultures and replace harmful language in public spaces.

Paying It Forward

Support us by donating to our impact campaign.

If you’ve enjoyed our newsletters in the past year, please consider contributing to our UNMUTED docuseries impact campaign to help us further our mission. We aim to take UNMUTED on the road in 2025 by hosting screenings, panels, and policy workshops with our impact partners to put an end on the harmful practices on women and girls featured in the series.

Learn more about our work and also contribute here:

Contribute Here

Support Independent Films

Without Exception Films is a women-led independent production company based in Los Angeles, CA. Our projects include docuseries and full-length documentaries that we develop end-to-end both in-house and through dynamic partnerships with other filmmakers.

Making documentaries is important but costly, support us by making a tax-deductible donation to our latest project!

WXF October 2024 Newsletter

October 3, 2024/in Newsletter/by Without Exception Films

WXF Updates

WXF at the Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting

Without Exception Films has been selected as commitment-makers for both UNMUTED and Stolen Sisters at the 2024 Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) Annual Meeting. These two films will represent the WXF’s commitment to advocacy and awareness campaigns focused on women and girls’ equality. Through educational screenings, actionable toolkits, and comprehensive social media campaigns, the films aim to drive meaningful policy change and provide direct services, engaging both communities and policymakers to inspire lasting solutions to critical social issues.

Founded by President Bill Clinton in 2005, the Clinton Global Initiative is a community of doers representing a broad cross section of society and dedicated to the idea that we can accomplish more together than we can apart. Through CGI’s unique model, more than 10,000 organizations have launched more than 4,000 Commitments to Action — new, specific, and measurable projects and programs – that are making a difference in the lives of more than 500 million people in 180 countries.

STOLEN SISTERS

Directed by filmmaker Valerie Red-Horse Mohl (Cherokee) and produced by Dawn Jackson (Saginaw Chippewa) of Red-Horse Native Productions, this documentary brings attention to the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) crisis in the U.S. The film highlights the systemic failures that contribute to this epidemic while also focusing on the efforts of Indigenous leadership working towards meaningful solutions. We are seeking $1.2 million to complete the film and support an impact campaign that drives awareness and advocacy.

Here are links to our Stolen Sisters One Sheet and Sizzle Reel.

UNMUTED

A 2024 Realscreen MIPTV Pick, UNMUTED is a three-part docuseries that explores the harsh realities of gender-based violence, focusing on child marriage, female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C), and acid attacks. The series follows eight survivors on their journeys toward reclaiming their agency while highlighting organizations working to protect women and girls globally. We are currently seeking $400,000, with a minimum investment of $100,000 to launch a 12-month impact campaign that includes educational screenings, social media initiatives, and policymaker workshops.

Here are links to our UNMUTED One Sheet and Sizzle Reel.

Visit withoutx.com to learn more about our commitments.

Charlotte Lubert (left), Founder of WXF; and Milena Warns (right), Documentary Producer

Left Photo: Charlotte, Valerie, Milena and Matt Damon Middle Photo: Charlotte, Valerie, and Milena met with Nicole Hockley (left), Co-Founder of Sandy Hook Promise, Right Photo: Charlotte, Valerie, and Milena

Face-to-Face at Last: Dave Cole Trades Zoom Filters for LA Sunshine!

The WXF team caught up with Dave Cole from Evolution Post, a post-production house based in Sydney, Australia, on his last trip to Los Angeles. After so much work done through Zoom and email it is always nice to connect in person!

Pictured from left to right: Dave Cole (UNMUTED Post Production Supervisor), Milena Warns (Producer), Wei Dai (Associate Producer/Assist. Editor), and Charlotte Lubert (Executive Producer).

Stay Informed

Help us drive social change by learning about the topics we cover.

Mark Ruffalo Joined the Navajo Nation’s 3-Mile Walk to the Polls, Here’s Why

Excerpt from People, Authored by Kyler Alvord and Lizzie Hyman

On October 12th, Mark Ruffalo joined the Navajo Nation’s 3-mile walk to the polls, a civic campaign to boost voter turnout among young Indigenous people in the 2024 presidential election. Side by side, Ruffalo and members of the Diné (Navajo)

community walked to a ballot drop box to cast their votes early, honoring 100 years of Native American citizenship. Allie Redhorse Young, Diné activist and founder of the youth engagement initiative Protect the Sacred, says “This is a way to draw attention to all of the barriers [to voting], one of them being the long distances we have to travel — 45 minutes to an hour’s drive — to register to vote, and also to cast the ballot”.

DID YOU KNOW

Native Americans continue to face voter suppression, with several states having enacted laws that have made it increasingly difficult for Indigenous communities to vote. Many reservations don’t have traditional street addresses recognized by the USPS. Additionally, some reservations don’t have any polling places or drop boxes at all, forcing voters to take time off of work and drive miles out of their way to cast their ballot. A 2017 survey of Native Americans reported that 32 percent of respondents in South Dakota said that the distance needed to travel to the polls affected their decision to cast a ballot.

Women Taking Action

Mathilde Wittock’s Solution to Tennis Ball Waste

Excerpt from CNN, Authored by Leah Dolan

With the U.S. Open coming to a close, tennis watching and playing is at an all-time high. However, with the sport comes the rapid production and disposal of tennis balls. In fact, around 300 million tennis balls are produced each year — and almost all of them end up in landfills, taking over 400 years to decompose. Designer Mathilde Wittock took action against this environmental injustice and created eco-conscious furniture, giving used tennis balls a new life. Wittock has no plans on stopping here and intends on tapping into tens of thousands of tennis clubs in North America.

DID YOU KNOW

Mathilde Wittock defines herself as a bio/ecodesigner and material researcher.

Having studied biodesign and industrial design at Central Saint Martins in London, she uses her skillset to push the boundary for what is possible for design and uses unique materials to create a positive environmental impact.

Support Independent Films

Without Exception Films is a women-led independent production company based in Los Angeles, CA. Our projects include docuseries and full-length documentaries that we develop end-to-end both in-house and through dynamic partnerships with other filmmakers.

Making documentaries is important but costly, support us by making a tax-deductible donation to our latest project!

WXF September 2024 Newsletter

September 3, 2024/in Newsletter/by Without Exception Films

WXF Updates

WXF Attending Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting

Without Exception Films has been selected by the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) for two unique Commitments to Actions (CTA) focused on Women & Girls Equity. A CTA “is a positive and effective social impact project that is new, specific, and measurable.” We will be making the announcement on our social media channels when the CGI Annual Meeting commences in NYC on September 23rd and will share more throughout the week.

Help Us Spread The Word! You can support our two projects by engaging with our posts and sharing on your channels.

You can also sign up to watch the meeting live on their website.

WXF Welcomes New Fall Intern

Liliana Amato joined us this month as our Fall intern. Majoring in Media Arts Production and minoring in Nonprofit Communication at Emerson College, Liliana’s attending Emerson’s Los Angeles program for her last semester. During her time with us, she’ll work on impactful projects, gain experience in the non-fiction genre, and build relationships. Welcome, Liliana!

Stay Informed

Help us drive social change by learning about the topics we cover.

Olympian Rebecca Cheptegei Dies After Being Set Alight by Ex-Boyfriend

BBC News, Nairobi. Authored by Celestine Karoney, September 5, 2024.

(Trigger Warning: This featured story discussed a deliberate act of gender violence.)

Photo Source: Rebecca Cheptegei – Wikipedia

Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei, a 33-year-old Ugandan marathon runner, has died after being doused in petrol and set on fire by a former boyfriend in Kenya. Cheptegei, who competed in the recent Paris Olympics, suffered severe burns and sadly passed away in the hospital. Cheptegei was known for her generosity, including helping fellow athletes financially. Her death highlights the growing issue of gender based violence in Kenya, where 34% of women report experiencing physical violence. Kenyan and Ugandan sports officials, alongside international organizations like the UN, condemned the killing and called for justice. Cheptegei’s tragic death follows similar cases of violence against East African female athletes, including Agnes Tirop and Damaris Mutua. The sports community is mourning, and efforts are being made to raise awareness and combat domestic violence.

A WORD FROM OUR PARTNER

Judy Gitau, the Africa Region Coordinator at Equality Now, on how cultural and societal attitudes create gaps in legislation that allow this kind of behavior:

“This is symptomatic of a bigger problem… We need to have systems that support victims, that support survivors to access justice, we need to have social change.”

Watch the full interview here.

Photo Source: Judy Gitau Interview – Equality Now

‘Reservation Dogs’ Star D’pharaoh Woon-A-Tai Brings Symbolic Message To Emmys With Red Hand Painted On Face: The Actor Was Standing In Solidarity With Missing And Murdered Indigenous Women.

The Hollywood Reporter. Authored by Carly Thomas, September 15, 2024.

D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai took to the 2024 Emmys red carpet on Sunday with a powerful symbolic message. The Reservation Dogs star painted a red handprint over his mouth to stand in solidarity with missing and murdered Indigenous women. According to the organization Native Hope, it’s a symbol of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) movement and stands for “all the missing sisters whose voices are not heard” and “the silence of the media and law enforcement in the midst of this crisis.”

Support Independent Films

Without Exception Films is a women-led independent production company based in Los Angeles, CA. Our projects include docuseries and full-length documentaries that we develop end-to-end both in-house and through dynamic partnerships with other filmmakers.

Making documentaries is important but costly, support us by making a tax-deductible donation to our latest project!

WXF July 2024 Newsletter

July 3, 2024/in Newsletter/by Without Exception Films

WXF Updates

WXF @ Aspen Institute’s Socrates Summer Seminar

Recently, WXF’s founder Charlotte attended the Aspen Institute’s Socrates Summer Seminar, a weekend-long roundtable discussion that brought together moderators and participants from various fields. Aspen Institute’s mission aligns perfectly with our goal of addressing the greatest challenges of our time. This experience provided a valuable opportunity for WXF to engage with thought leaders and discuss impactful solutions that benefit underserved communities.

Stay Informed

Help us drive social change by learning about the topics we cover.

Eighty-Year-Old Indigenous Grandpa Holding Hope for His Missing Granddaughter

By: ABC News

Eighty-year-old Ronnie Hostler has been searching for his granddaughter Khadijah Britton, a member of the Round Valley tribe in northern California, since he first reported her missing back in 2018. She was last seen being forced into a car in Covelo, CA, by her ex-boyfriend. The ex-boyfriend was never formally charged. To this day, Ronnie is still holding hope and seeking closure. There have been over 5,000 unsolved cold cases of missing and murdered Indigenous women. And murder is the third-leading cause of death among American Indian and Alaska Native Women on tribal lands, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

DID YOU KNOW

More than 4 in 5 Indigenous women have experienced violence in their life, and 56.1 percent of Indigenous women have experienced sexual violence. Indigenous women face murder rates that are 10 times higher than the national average in some counties in the U.S. and Canada.

Notable Historical Individuals Born in July

Emmeline Pankhurst

Emmeline Pankhurst, born on July 15th, 1858, in Manchester, England, is celebrated as a pivotal figure in the fight for women’s suffrage in the United Kingdom. She founded the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU) in 1903, which became known for its militant tactics to draw attention to the cause of women’s suffrage. Her leadership and unwavering commitment played a crucial role in securing the right to vote for women in Britain.

DID YOU KNOW

Throughout her activism, Emmeline Pankhurst was arrested multiple times and participated in hunger strikes to protest the government’s treatment of suffragettes. After one arrest, she famously said, “We shall fight against the condition of affairs so long as life is in us.”

Support Independent Films

Without Exception Films is a women-led independent production company based in Los Angeles, CA. Our projects include docuseries and full-length documentaries that we develop end-to-end both in-house and through dynamic partnerships with other filmmakers.

Making documentaries is important but costly, support us by making a tax-deductible donation to our latest project!

WXF June 2024 Newsletter

June 3, 2024/in Newsletter/by Without Exception Films

WXF Updates

WXF Welcomes New Summer Intern

Luna Lu joined us this month as our summer intern. Double-majoring in Economics and Film and Television at Boston University, Luna’s attending BU’s Los Angeles program for her last semester. During her time with us, she’ll work on impactful projects, gain experience in the non-fiction genre, and build relationships. Welcome, Luna!

Stay Informed

Help us drive social change by learning about the topics we cover.

“We Can End Child Marriage in a Generation”

By: BBC News

Michelle Obama, Amal Clooney, and Melinda French Gates have teamed up to combat child marriage, aiming to end this practice within a generation. Their collaboration seeks to address the alarming rates of child marriage globally. Their visit to Malawi and South Africa underscored the urgent need for action. The three influential women are leveraging their respective foundations and expertise to speak up for those affected and push for policy change.

DID YOU KNOW

According to UNICEF, an estimated 650 million girls and women alive today were married before their 18th birthday, indicating that one in every five girls may be forced into marriage. Concerted efforts are urgently needed to address the root causes of this harmful practice and to protect the rights and well-being of millions of girls.

Notable Historical Individual Born in June

Hattie McDaniel

We honor Hattie McDaniel as our Historical Person of the Month this June. Born on June 10th, 1895, McDaniel made history as the first black woman to win an Academy Award in 1940. Despite facing discrimination, she appeared in over 300 films, inspiring future generations of African American and female actresses. McDaniel’s legacy includes challenging stereotypes and advocating for racial and gender equality in the entertainment industry.

DID YOU KNOW

Before her acting career took off, McDaniel was an accomplished singer and songwriter. She performed on radio shows and recorded several songs, showcasing her versatile talents beyond the realm of acting.

Support Independent Films

Without Exception Films is a women-led independent production company based in Los Angeles, CA. Our projects include docuseries and full-length documentaries that we develop end-to-end both in-house and through dynamic partnerships with other filmmakers.

Making documentaries is important but costly, support us by making a tax-deductible donation to our latest project!

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