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.

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)

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.

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:

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:

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:

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.

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: