June 2026 Newsletter

/in /by

 

UNMUTED at Ray of Light Awards Ceremony

As last year’s Ray of Light Awards winner, UNMUTED and our team behind it were invited this year to the ceremony again to celebrate and give out the award for this year’s winner.

Representing UNMUTED, as last year’s Ray of Light Awards winner, Charlotte and Dena (showrunner of UNMUTED) were invited this year to the ceremony again to celebrate and give out the award for this year’s winner. The five-day festival was filled with programming, screening, and music events that bond artists from around the world under the festival themes of nature, spirit, and one another.

Charlotte on the ROLA stage

Charlotte on the ROLA stage

 

Charlotte and Dena at the ROLA award ceremony

Charlotte and Dena at the ROLA award ceremony

WXF at Sunnyside of the Doc 2026

Now in its 37th edition, Sunnyside of the Doc returns to La Rochelle, France, from June 22nd to the 24th. As a documentary marketplace and conference, Sunnyside of the Doc brings together thousands of documentary filmmakers and decision-makers each year to discuss industry headlines and meet new partners.

Charlotte, representing Without Exception Films, was invited to be join as a panelist at this year’s event. She will be on stage for the session titled “Funding Models of the Future: How to Get Your Documentary Made,” along with Aliya Jasmine, Stephen Segaller, and Lea Fels. The panel will be moderated by Amanda Groom.

If you are also attending this year’s Sunnyside of the Doc, feel free to reach out to us at info@withoutx.com – we’d love to meet you!

Register for Sunnyside of the Doc

🗓️ ICYMI – UNMUTED and Team at Westland Impact Festival

UNMUTED is selected to be screened at this year’s Westland Impact Festival. The festival will take place from Jun 11th to the 13th, in the beautiful Whitefish, Montana. Charlotte and Wei on the UNMUTED team will be attending the festival in person, and we would love to meet you at the festival if you are also attending!

You can follow Westland Impact Festival on Instagram to learn more about the festival and its lineup this year.

Click the button below to purchase your ticket to Westland Impact Festival:

Link to Purchase

You Can Still Bring UNMUTED to Your Community!

Host a screening — virtually or in person — to inspire dialogue and action against gender-based violence.

We will provide you with all the assets you will need, including a discussion guide, social media toolkit, and more!

Fill out the short form below if you are interested. One of our team members will get back to you.

Link to UNMUTED Interest Form

Beyond Africa: Indonesia’s Hidden FGM/C Crisis

When people think about female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C), the conversation often focuses on Africa. Yet Indonesia, a country that receives far less attention in global discussions, is home to the largest number of women and girls affected by the practice anywhere in the world.

An estimated 70 million Indonesian women and girls have undergone some form of FGM/C. What makes Indonesia’s situation particularly striking is how young many girls are when it happens. In most cases, FGM/C is performed during infancy, with many girls cut within days or months of birth. For generations, the practice has been carried out as a cultural and religious tradition, often before a child is old enough to understand what is happening.

Distribution of FGM/C across Indonesia

Current legal protections focus primarily on prohibiting FGM/C for infants, toddlers, and preschool-aged children, leaving gaps in broader protections and enforcement. At the same time, activists, healthcare professionals, religious leaders, and community advocates across Indonesia are working to challenge long-held misconceptions that frame FGM/C as a religious, moral, or hygienic necessity.

Their efforts highlight an important reality: FGM/C is not solely an African issue. More than 80 million women and girls affected by FGM/C live in Asia, yet Southeast Asia often receives far less international attention, funding, and media coverage than regions where the practice is more widely recognized.

Read more…

SUPPORT US BY DONATING TO OUR IMPACT CAMPAIGN

We’re continuing to take UNMUTED on the road in 2026, hosting screenings, panels, and policy workshops with our impact partners to shine a light on the harmful practices affecting women and girls featured in the series. With your support, we can get one step closer to ending child marriage, stopping FGM/C, and preventing acid violence — by changing laws and minds.

CONTRIBUTE HERE

 

 

April 2026 Newsletter

/in /by

UNMUTED: Special Screening

We’re excited to share that UNMUTED will be featured at the Ray of Light Awards (ROLA) this May. Our Gaia Award–winning episode, “Child Brides”, will be screened on May 1, 2026, as part of a special evening program at Cinema Can Jeroni in Ibiza, Spain.

We were honored to be awarded last year at the Ray of Light Festival in 2025 and this standalone screening showcases last year’s Ray of Light Awards winners. This year the ROLA festival runs from the 26th to the 31st May in Ibiza so book your tickets now for these special events

Screening Details:

Date: May 1, 2026
Time: 20:00 hr (CEST)
Episode: Child Brides (Gaia Award Winner)
Program: Screening alongside The Twelve and Parallel
Location: Cinema Can Jeroni (evening screening)

This gathering brings together filmmakers and storytellers using film as a force for social impact.

Full festival programming here – tickets for the festival here.

2026: What’s Next 👀

Westland Festival

The momentum continues into summer. UNMUTED has also been selected for the Westland Film Festival this June. The festival is based in Whitefish, MT and why not pair your trip to the films with an adventure into Glacier National Park. We’ll hit you up with tips in our next Newsletter!

🎬 Looking to Host a Screening?

Book Your Screening

 

Katie Piper at the World Economic Forum

Picture Description: “My story is one of survival and hope.” – Katie Piper at the World Economic Forum, February 2026.⁠

Acid attack survivor and activist Katie Piper spoke at the World Economic Forum’s 2026 Annual Meeting, sharing her story of survival and the lessons it offers for both individuals and leaders.

After surviving a life-altering acid attack in 2008, Piper has become a global advocate for burn survivors and victims of gender-based violence. At Davos, she reframed her experience not as a story of tragedy, but of resilience and hope. She emphasized that trauma, while deeply personal, does not have to define a person’s future.

Piper also challenged traditional views of leadership, highlighting that empathy, kindness, and diversity are just as critical as policy or financial decision-making. Her message underscored the importance of human-centered leadership, especially in addressing global issues like gender-based violence.

She continues to use her platform to open more honest conversations around recovery, advocate for long-term support for survivors, and remind others that healing is ongoing. Her work also highlights the need for stronger systems of care and accountability, as well as the importance of community in recovery.

Her remarks come amid a rise in acid attacks and broader global conversations around violence against women, reinforcing the urgency of awareness, advocacy, and systemic change. The full article can be found here!

 

Support Our Work

UNMUTED was built through the voices, leadership, and dedication of an incredible team. From development through production, we drove this project with care, intention, and a deep commitment to telling these stories responsibly. It would not exist without the people behind it – and the audiences who have supported it, shared it, and helped bring these stories to wider communities.

Now streaming on Kinema – every purchase supports our ongoing impact campaign, already reaching audiences in over 30 countries and continuing to drive change both globally and locally.

Watch the series and support our work:

WATCH UMUTED

 

 

February 2026 Newsletter: Time is NOW!

/in /by

Mark Your Calendars: UNMUTED Drops Feb 20 🎞️

UNMUTED will be available to stream on Kinema in just 3 days left. We want to pause and recognize something essential to this series: it would not exist without collaboration.

UNMUTED was created in partnership with organizations working on the front lines of gender justice, survivor support, and systemic change. These partners do not just appear in the series. They helped shape it, guided it, and continued the work long after the cameras stopped rolling.

SIGN UP HERE FOR A FREE EPISODE

FEATURED PARTNERS 🤝

Face Forward
Advancing survivor-centred storytelling and advocacy to challenge stigma and drive systemic change.

Food for Life Vrindavan
Providing food, shelter, education, and long-term care for abandoned women and children in India.

Equality Now
Using the law to end discrimination and violence against women and girls worldwide.

Unchained At Last
Leading the movement to end child marriage in the U.S. and supporting survivors forced into marriage.

Reproductive Health Uganda
Expanding access to sexual and reproductive health services, education, and rights across Uganda.

Sahiyo
Ending female genital cutting through survivor-led advocacy, community dialogue, and cultural change.

CERESAV
Supporting survivors of sexual violence in Mexico through crisis care, legal advocacy, and long-term healing services.

Each organization brings deep expertise, lived experience, and leadership to the issues explored in UNMUTED. Since its early screenings, UNMUTED has reached audiences in over 30 countries, partnered with more than 40 NGOs, 50+ cast & crew and engaged 1,000+ attendees worldwide. What began as a film has grown into a global conversation.

In the weeks ahead, we will continue sharing more about these partners, the people behind the work, and ways to engage beyond watching.

Because real impact does not happen alone, it happens together.

👉 UNMUTED premieres Feb 20 on Kinema — sign up by launch day to get one free episode.

2026: Upcoming Events 👀

🎬 An Unchained At Last Hybrid Parallel Event – March 13, 2026

As the UN launches the 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women, Unchained At Last is hosting a hybrid parallel event featuring a screening of UNMUTED: Child Brides. A short panel will follow on how unflinching storytelling can help accelerate the fight to end forced and child marriage and advance gender equality.

📅 March 13, 2026
🕧 12:30–1:30 PM ET | 9:30–10:30 AM PT | 4:30–5:30 PM GMT
📍 In person: Church Center for the United Nations
777 United Nations Plaza, NYC (No registration required)
💻 Hybrid event (Zoom registration required)

Register to Attend Virtually (Zoom)

Impact Lounge @ Sundance – Recap 🎬

⁠

At the Impact Lounge at Sundance, we gathered to discuss what it actually takes to create change on some of the hardest issues we face. Bringing together the teams behind UNMUTED and the Oscar®-nominated documentary To Kill a Tiger, alongside leaders in social impact, the conversation explored how storytelling can move us from awareness of gender-based violence to action.

When honest, complex, deeply human stories ground us in shared values, they don’t just inform — they help shift culture. Speakers Included:

Vicki Shabo — Senior Fellow for Gender Equity and Founder/Director, Entertainment Initiative, Better Life Lab at New America

Charlotte Lubert — Founder, Without Exception Films (UNMUTED)

Nisha Pahuja — Filmmaker & Producer, To Kill a Tiger

Brian Walker — CEO, Citizen Picmo

Thank you to the Impact Lounge for hosting vital conversations on how film can drive positive societal change and to everyone doing the work to build a culture where violence is no longer normalized and responsibility is shared.

🎥 Bring UNMUTED to Your Community

Host a screening — virtually or in person — to inspire dialogue and action against gender-based violence. Screenings requested before February 20 are free.

Screenings requested after February 20 will require a fee.

REQUEST A SCREENING HERE

January 2026 Newsletter: Something BIG is coming…

/in /by

Something big is coming. We’re counting down.

Mark your calendars: February 20, 2026 🎞️ 🌍 🗓️

UNMUTED will be launching on Kinema this upcoming World Social Justice Day, a global moment to amplify voices, spark dialogue, and challenge silence. This release is more than a world premiere. It is an invitation to engage, reflect, and take part in the conversation. As we count down to launch, we will be sharing more behind-the-scenes moments from the UNMUTED journey, spotlighting the stories at the heart of the series and the partners we have been proud to support along the way.

Join the UNMUTED waitlist for early access, exclusive updates, and a few surprises leading up to launch.  

👀 📧 SIGN UP HERE!

🎥 Bring UNMUTED to Your Community

Host a screening — virtually or in person — to inspire dialogue and action against gender-based violence. Screenings requested before February 20 are free.

Screenings requested after February 20 will require a fee.

REQUEST A SCREENING HERE

2026: Upcoming Events 👀

🎬 Sundance Festival & Impact Lounge Panel – January 2026

Join us at the Sundance Film Festival for a panel on how film can drive meaningful change on difficult social issues & mobilize allies beyond the screen!

Visit the Sundance Impact Lounge event page for the full schedule.

🌴 Realscreen Summit – Miami, February 2026

We’ll also be attending the Realscreen Summit in Miami in early February. If you’ll be there, let’s make time to discuss new opportunities or upcoming work.

Looking to connect with us at an upcoming event?

CONNECT WITH US

How Without Exception Films Began

Charlotte during a 2017 trip to Vrindavan, India. This experience would later shape the founding of WXF Films and the values behind UNMUTED.⁠

Without Exception Films was founded by Charlotte following a formative experience that reshaped how she thought about storytelling, impact, and responsibility. While based in Dubai circa 2010, Charlotte travelled to FFLV in Vrindavan, India, where she first became aware of the realities facing girls and women from rural and impoverished communities.

During that time, she listened to women, advocates, and organizations working on the front lines of gender-based violence. What stayed with her wasn’t just the scale of the issue, but the courage, resilience, and leadership of those pushing for change- often with limited resources and little visibility. The stories were powerful, complex, and deeply human, yet rarely told in ways that truly honored the people at their center.

Charlotte later returned to India in 2017 with a film crew to document some of these stories firsthand. That experience made something clear: film could do more than document injustice. It could create space for dialogue, shift perspectives, and support the people already doing the work. Without Exception Films was created from that realization, with a commitment to ethical storytelling and partnership with those most affected.

As we move toward our launch on February 20, we’ll be sharing more from the UNMUTED journey, including behind-the-scenes moments, the stories at the heart of the series, and the partners helping bring this work forward.

Join the UNMUTED waitlist for early access, updates, and what’s to come.

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

December 2025 Newsletter

/in /by

As 2025 Ends, We’re Reflecting on Our Biggest Moments

We can’t believe the year is already coming to an end. Our team has accomplished so much, and we’re excited to count down some of our top moments from 2025 with you.⁠

#5: Hosting Our Free Visual Storytelling Workshop in Michigan 🎥✨

This year, we brought a free visual storytelling workshop to Grand Rapids, MI, in partnership with the Reissa Foundation & Valerie Red-Horse Mohl. The workshop was an opportunity for participants to learn hands-on filmmaking and editing basics using just a cell phone, as part of the Stolen Sisters project.⁠

It created space for emerging storytellers to learn, connect, and share narratives rooted in Michigan’s Indigenous communities.⁠

Follow along on our Instagram & LinkedIn to see the full countdown of our Top 5 Moments from 2025!

2026: What’s Next 👀

Our team will be on the ground at two major industry events, and we’d love to meet up if you’ll be there too.

Sundance – January 2026
We’ll be attending Sundance this January, one of the biggest gatherings for independent film. If you’ll be in Park City and want to talk projects, brainstorm ideas, or explore potential collaborations, we’d love to connect.
Email us to set up a time: info@withoutx.com

Realscreen Summit – Miami, February 2026
We’ll also be at the Realscreen Summit in Miami in early February, joining creators, producers, and industry leaders shaping the future of unscripted and documentary storytelling. If you’re heading to Miami and want to chat about new opportunities or upcoming work, let’s make time to meet.
Reach out to book a conversation: info@withoutx.com

🎬 Looking to Host a Screening?
Bring Unmuted to your community — virtually or in person — to inspire dialogue and action against gender-based violence. Request a Screening HERE!

Equality Now: Words from Mona Sinha, Global Executive Director

Picture Description: Global Executive Director Mona Sinha (pictured left) representing Equality Now on a panel discussion about child marriage.⁠

Equality Now has been a powerful advocate for raising the legal age of marriage to 18 without exceptions, pushing for meaningful reforms from Bolivia to Southern Africa to states across the U.S. Their message is clear: girls don’t need saving — they need to be seen, heard, and free.

Their work reminds us that legal reform is just the beginning. Real change requires community engagement, survivor-led voices, and global solidarity. When a girl has the freedom to choose her own path, her potential becomes limitless — and so does our collective future.

In partnership with Equality Now, the UNMUTED series highlights the importance of addressing child marriage not only abroad but also here in the U.S. — a vital part of breaking cycles of violence and transforming harmful norms while working toward global reform.⁠

Read Mona Sinha full post on International Day of the Girl HERE

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

November 2025 Newsletter: Last Screenings for 2025

/in /by

“Unveiling the Scars” Screening & Panel Discussion“

(Photo Description: Survivors Davina Licon, Rebecca, and Andreas (Face Forward UK Ambassador), Dr. Neil Vranis, Mandi Budd (Executive Director, Face Forward International), and the Unveiling the Scars film team Charlotte Lubert and Rasha Goel)

Face Forward International, in partnership with Without Exception Films, recently hosted a marquee screening of Unveiling the Scars, the third episode of the Unmuted documentary series. The episode highlights survivors of gender-based violence and the resilience of communities advocating for healing and justice, with a focus on acid violence survivor voices.

We were deeply honored to amplify the stories of inspiring survivors — Davina Licon, Rebecca, and Andreas (Face Forward UK Survivor Ambassador) — and to connect the film’s message to Face Forward’s ongoing work, which provides life-changing surgeries and care for survivors from over 14 countries.

Following the screening, a heartfelt panel discussion brought together advocates, survivors, and caregivers to explore pathways for recovery and systemic change, grounding the stories in real-world action and support.

A huge thank you to Picture Motion and Face Forward LA for bringing these vital stories to light, and to everyone who joined us for an unforgettable evening of storytelling, courage, and community.

WAYS TO ACTION

💛 Support Survivors
Help provide life-changing services to survivors of violence and abuse.
Donate Now

🎥 See Their Impact
Watch powerful videos showcasing Face Forward’s work and the stories behind their mission.
Watch Videos

🗣️ Hear Survivor Stories
Read firsthand accounts from those empowered by Face Forward International.
Read Stories

🎬 Host a Screening
Bring Unmuted to your community — virtually or in person — to inspire dialogue and action against gender-based violence.
Request a Screening

UPCOMING SCREENINGS

(Now Available in Swahili & Spanish Subtitles)

Friday, November 28th, 2025

In-Person: UNMUTED x Producciones Clandestinas AC

Local Time: 7:20PM, CST / UTC -6

Episode(s) Screened: Child Brides, Cutting Season, Unveiling the Scars

Location: Guadalajara, Mexico (Exact location to be finalized)

Registration Link: Please contact us at unmuted@picturemotion.com

More Events to Come…

Can’t make it to any of the above? No worries!

You can fill out this interest form. We’ll keep you posted when there’s new screenings being planned/coming up.

OR – You can also bring UNMUTED to your community.

It’s super easy! Just fill out this interest form, and someone from our team will follow up with more details. We’ve prepared the following so it’s turn-key ready and extremely easy on your end:

  • A screening link on Kinema;
  • A discussion guide;
  • Promotional and social media toolkits; and
  • Virtual event support

All free of charge!

Mobilizing Men and Women to End Gender-Based Violence⁠

Storytelling can do more than entertain — it can transform. 🎬⁠

Actor and producer Oliver Trevena and Without Exception Films founder Charlotte Lubert are using the power of story to unmute survivors of gender-based violence and spotlight the allies working to end it.⁠

In partnership with Equimundo, the series highlights the importance of engaging men and boys as allies — a vital part of breaking cycles of violence and transforming harmful norms.⁠ Read the full conversation on Equimundo’s blog HERE!

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

October 2025 Newsletter: Community

/in /by

From Readers to Visitors – Clinton Global Initiative 2025

(Photo Description: Charlotte with Antonio and Elpida from Narrative Lab)

During our time at the Clinton Global Initiative, we were delighted by a surprise visit from Antonio and Elpida of Narrative Lab, an inspiring organization in Greece where impact, evidence, art, and travel converge to build a more inclusive world. 🌍

They shared that they’ve been following our newsletter and wanted to meet the team in person at CGI. Of course, we couldn’t resist capturing a photo with Charlotte to commemorate the occasion! 📸

We love hearing from our readers, near or far. If you’ve been following along, let us know what you’re enjoying or what you’d like to see more of. Connect with us on social media or drop us a note — we’d love to hear from you!

UPCOMING SCREENINGS

(Now Available in Swahili & Spanish Subtitles)

Monday, October 20th, 2025

Virtual: UNMUTED x Prevention Collaborative

Local Time: 2PM, British Summer Time / UTC +1

Episode(s) Screened: Child Brides

Location: Kinema Platform

Registration Link: Please contact us at unmuted@picturemotion.com

Tuesday, October 21st, 2025

Virtual: UNMUTED x Equimundo

Local Time: 3PM, US Eastern Time / UTC -5

Episode(s) Screened: Child Brides

Location: Kinema Platform

Registration Link: https://kinema.com/events/Unmuted:-Virtual-Screening-and-Conversation-with-Equimundo-lkfxbt

Monday, November 3rd, 2025

In-Person: UNMUTED x Face Forward

Local Time: Evening, Exact Time TBD

Episode(s) Screened: Unveiling the Scars

Location: Radford Theater, Studio City, CA

Registration Link: Please contact us at unmuted@picturemotion.com

Friday, November 28th, 2025

In-Person: UNMUTED x Producciones Clandestinas AC

Local Time: 7:20PM, CST / UTC -6

Episode(s) Screened: Child Brides, Cutting Season, Unveiling the Scars

Location: Radford Theater, Studio City, CA

Registration Link: Please contact us at unmuted@picturemotion.com

More Events to Come…

Can’t make it to any of the above? No worries!

You can fill out this interest form. We’ll keep you posted when there’s new screenings being planned/coming up.

OR – You can also bring UNMUTED to your community.

It’s super easy! Just fill out this interest form, and someone from our team will follow up with more details. We’ve prepared the following so it’s turn-key ready and extremely easy on your end:

  • A screening link on Kinema;
  • A discussion guide;
  • Promotional and social media toolkits; and
  • Virtual event support

All free of charge!

Photo: U.S. Department of State / Public Domain
First Lady Michelle Obama honours acid attack survivor Laxmi at the 2014 International Women of Courage Awards, Washington, D.C.

Breaking the Silence:  Laxmi Agarwal

At just 15, Laxmi was attacked with acid by a man more than twice her age after she rejected his advances.

Rather than stay silent, she became one of India’s leading voices against acid violence — championing stricter acid sale laws and advocating for survivor rights and gender justice.

In recognition of her courage and activism, Laxmi received the International Women of Courage Award from Michelle Obama.

Her story reminds us that healing is a political act, and survivors are not victims — they are powerful leaders.

🎬 UNMUTED Episode 3: Unveiling the Scars explores these themes through the stories of acid attack survivors reclaiming their identity, strength, and voice.

Together, Laxmi’s activism and organizations like CERESAV and Face Forward International shed light on the ongoing fight to end acid violence and support survivors worldwide.

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

UNMUTED Campaign Screening List

/in /by

Welcome to this special edition of our newsletter!

In case you missed it, we are partnering with Picture Motion on an impact campaign for our UNMUTED series. We are excited to share this list of upcoming FREE screenings, either virtual or in-person, with you, so you can have all the information you need to sign up for an event near you (or online!).

Some event details are still being finalized. If you’d like to attend one of those, just reach out to us at unmuted@picturemotion.com and we’ll keep you updated as more information becomes available.

For more information on UNMUTED, please visit our website!

Upcoming UNMUTED Impact Screenings by Dates

Monday, October 6th, 2025

In-Person: UNMUTED x Freedom United x UN Association

Local Time: 7PM, US Eastern Time / UTC -5

Episode(s) Screened: Child Brides

Location: Dolby Screening Room, 1350 6th Ave, New York, NY 10019

Event Details: FilmTalkUNA | Unmuted: Child Brides — UNA-NYC

Registration Link: https://donorbox.org/events/811495/steps/choose_tickets

Saturday, October 11, 2025 (International Day of the Girl)

Virtual: UNMUTED x Food for Life Vrindavan x Unchained At Last

Local Time: 1PM, US Eastern Time / UTC -5

Episode(s) Screened: Child Brides

Location: Kinema Platform

Registration Link: https://kinema.com/events/UNMUTED-or-CHILD-BRIDES-f79ehh

Monday, October 20th, 2025

Virtual: UNMUTED x Prevention Collaborative

Local Time: 2PM, British Summer Time / UTC +1

Episode(s) Screened: Child Brides

Location: Kinema Platform

Registration Link: Please contact us at unmuted@picturemotion.com

Tuesday, October 21st, 2025

Virtual: UNMUTED x Equimundo

Local Time: 3PM, US Eastern Time / UTC -5

Episode(s) Screened: Child Brides

Location: Kinema Platform

Registration Link: Please contact us at unmuted@picturemotion.com

Monday, November 3rd, 2025

In-Person: UNMUTED x Face Forward

Local Time: Evening, Exact Time TBD

Episode(s) Screened: Unveiling the Scars

Location: Radford Theater, Studio City, CA

Registration Link: Please contact us at unmuted@picturemotion.com

Friday, November 28th, 2025

In-Person: UNMUTED x Producciones Clandestinas AC

Local Time: 7:20PM, CST / UTC -6

Episode(s) Screened: Child Brides, Cutting Season, Unveiling the Scars

Location: Guadalajara, Mexico (Exact location to be finalized)

Registration Link: Please contact us at unmuted@picturemotion.com

More Events to Come…

Can’t make it to any of the above? No worries!

You can fill out this interest form. We’ll keep you posted when there’s new screenings being planned/coming up.

OR – You can also bring UNMUTED to your community.

It’s super easy! Just fill out this interest form, and someone from our team will follow up with more details. We’ve prepared the following so it’s turn-key ready and extremely easy on your end:

  • A screening link on Kinema;
  • A discussion guide;
  • Promotional and social media toolkits; and
  • Virtual event support

All free of charge!

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

September 2025 Newsletter: Upcoming Screenings

/in /by

10th Annual Imagine This Women’s International Film Festival in NYC

UNMUTED had the honor of screening Cutting Season at the 10th Annual Imagine This Women’s International Film Festival in NYC on September 11.

The festival brought together:
• 97+ groundbreaking films
• 63 trailblazing screenplays
• 48 premieres from 20+ countries
• Panels, parties, and unforgettable connections

We were proud to be part of such a thoughtfully curated lineup of diverse stories. During our screening and post-film conversations, it became clear just how urgent and under-discussed the topic of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) remains.

One audience member, a pediatrician, shared that he had encountered FGM/C in his practice but had not been fully equipped with the information or resources at the time. This moment reminded us how critical it is to bring medical professionals into these conversations and expand access to knowledge, healing, and prevention.

We are now exploring ways to collaborate with doctors, hospitals, and organizations to host screenings, facilitate Q&As, and highlight the groundbreaking work of experts like Dr. Marci Bowers in clitoral restoration.

Thank you to the festival organizers, fellow filmmakers, and everyone who joined us for the screening. 🙏

The dialogue continues, and we are committed to keeping it going.

Bring UNMUTED to Your Community

Unmuted is sparking global conversations on ending gender-based violence through grassroots screenings around the world. From Pakistan to Thailand, the United Kingdom to Mexico, communities are coming together to learn and take action.

We invite you to host a screening in your own community. To support you, we provide everything you need: a screening link on Kinema, a discussion guide, promotional and social toolkits, and virtual event support, all free of charge.

Upcoming Screenings:

Sept 20 – Pakistan Film Society of Islamabad
Sept 26 – The Fawcett Society, United Kingdom (Virtual)

Oct 6 – Freedom United & United Nations Association, New York City, USA

Oct 8 – Mahidol University, Thailand

Nov 28 & Feb 1 – Producciones Clandestinas, Mexico

Use Unmuted to spark meaningful dialogue, advance advocacy, and build solidarity in your community.

Interested in hosting a screening? Please fill out our interest form here!

Breaking the Silence: Zainab Jama Advocates Against FGM

As a survivor of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and this year’s Miss World Somalia, Zainab Jama is using her platform to change the conversation around this harmful practice. Through her Beauty with a Purpose campaign, she is bravely advocating for the millions of girls at risk of FGM each year.

During the Miss World competition, Zainab delivered a powerful message about her own experience, helping to break the silence that too often surrounds FGM. Her words were clear and unwavering: this is not tradition, this is trauma, and it must end.

Through grassroots education, survivor-led programs, and policy advocacy, Zainab is demonstrating what leadership rooted in lived experience and compassion looks like. Voices like hers are essential in building a future where every girl can grow up safe, free, and empowered.

DID YOU KNOW

Over 230 million girls and women alive today have undergone Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) across 30 countries in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. Each year, more than 4 million girls are at risk of undergoing FGM, with the majority subjected before the age of 15 ( World Health Organization, 2025).

This practice is a severe violation of human rights, reflecting deep-rooted gender inequality. It can lead to lifelong physical and psychological harm. Urgent action is needed to protect girls and eliminate FGM worldwide.

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

August 2025 Newsletter: Storytelling Workshop in Michigan

/in /by

WXF’s Visual Storytelling Workshop in Michigan

Our pilot “Visual Storytelling and Filmmaking Workshop” lit up Grand Rapids, Michigan, last week! Over three days, participants from across the state honed practical filmmaking skills while exploring Indigenous perspectives, led by industry pros Valerie Redhorse Mohl (Cherokee) and Dawn Jackson (Saginaw Chippewa) of Redhorse Native Productions. With support from Without Exception Films and the Reissa Foundation, our teaching team—including Charlotte Lubert, Wei Dai, Cori Fordham, and Charles Kennedy—covered everything from character development and camera tricks to using film as a tool for advocacy.

Attendees left with short films in hand, fresh creative energy, and new ideas for sparking change through storytelling.
Huge thanks to everyone involved—this is just the beginning!

📩 For workshop inquiries or future opportunities, please reach us at info@withoutx.com.

First Package-Style Screening for UNMUTED!

On July 26th, the Pakistan Film Society of Islamabad hosted the first package-style screening for UNMUTED! The event featured the episodes “Child Marriage” and “Unveiling the Scars.” Hanifa Nakiryowa, a central voice in “Unveiling the Scars,” and WXF’s Executive Producer Charlotte Lubert joined the virtual event and participated in a post-screening Q&A session, engaging in meaningful dialogue with attendees.

In May, we officially launched the UNMUTED grassroots screening tour, inviting 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 with the content and its themes.

We look forward to participating in several upcoming screenings in the weeks ahead.  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!

First Indigenous Woman to Attend Oxford Awarded Posthumous Degree

Original Article from St. Anne’s College

Born in Aotearoa New Zealand in 1873, Mākereti Papakura is believed to have been the first Indigenous woman to enroll at the University of Oxford, beginning her studies in 1927. During her time at Oxford, she conducted pioneering research that explored the customs of the Te Arawa people through a female perspective. Her work focused on the lived experiences of Māori women, covering topics such as menstruation, childbirth, and domestic life. Her work garnered the attention and respect of Oxford academics and was also honored by members of Māori communities.

Receiving a bicultural upbringing, which was uncommon at the time, Mākereti was able to integrate her Māori knowledge with a Western education. She learned English through private tutoring and gained international fame by becoming a tour guide for Western visitors to the Whakarewarewa thermal village in Rotorua. She later established the Rotorua Māori Choir, which showcased several aspects of Māori culture through music and performance, and published the book Guide to the Hot Lakes District and Some Māori Legends. Additionally, she provided care for soldiers from Aotearoa New Zealand who were treated in military hospitals in the United Kingdom during World War I.

She was widely accepted by the anthropological community at Oxford and delivered a lecture to the Anthropological Society titled “The Māori as He Was,” which attracted 142 members in attendance — a remarkable number for this event, which typically draws 20 people. Mākereti used her bicultural upbringing and drew heavily from her childhood experiences learning about Māori customs from her elders to inform her research at Oxford. Tragically, Mākereti passed away in 1930, weeks before she was scheduled to present her thesis. With her family’s permission, her work was published in a book titled The Old-Time Māori and became the first ethnographic study published by a Māori author. Now, nearly 100 years after she began her studies, Mākereti will be awarded a posthumous Master’s in Philosophy degree from the University.

DID YOU KNOW

Women were granted the right to enroll at Oxford only a few years prior to Mākereti’s admission. Not only was she the first Indigenous Māori student at Oxford, but also one of the earliest women to pursue academic study at the university.

Continue Reading…

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