WXF September 2025 Newsletter
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:
