A fresh series of social justice films that will educate, inspire, challenge, and move you to action.
Ten new social justice films, most screening for the first time in Pittsburgh, will be presented as part of the new Just Films series which debuts this month. The Just Films series is the brainchild of four organizations committed to women, girls, gender equity, and social justice: the Chatham University Women’s Institute, New Voices Pittsburgh, the Women and Girls Foundation, and the Women’s Law Project.
As part of the series, one film a month will be shown on Chatham’s campus from September 2016 through June 2017. Films will be free and open to the public.
“All four of our organizations believe in the power of film to promote conversations about social, political, and economic change.” Said Jessie Ramey, Executive Director of the Chatham University Women’s Institute. “We also believe in engaging the community broadly and deeply in dialogue as we pursue equality together.”
“Film has become a powerful medium for social justice.” Shared Heather Arnet, CEO of the Women and Girls Foundation. “These films shine a light on some of the most pressing issues we are tackling today. We hope that audience members will lose themselves in these robust and diverse stories while watching the films, and then find their voices to speak out on these topics by the conclusion of the films.”
The group selected ten documentaries for this inaugural series, covering a wide range of issues – from immigration to human trafficking, trans families, paid leave, and more – designed to educate, inspire, challenge, and move you to action. Many of these films were made by women, and most will be showing in Pittsburgh for the first time.
“New Voices Pittsburgh elevates the voices, experiences and leadership of Black women and women of color and this film series is a powerful tool for culture change. We are excited to engage Black women, women of color and LGBTQ+ people of color in this initiative as we building our movement for Reproductive Justice and Human Rights across Pennsylvania,” said La’Tasha D. Mayes, Founder and Executive Director of New Voices Pittsburgh.
“The community of women’s rights supporters in Pittsburgh is vibrant, diverse, and growing,” said Sue Frietsche, Senior Staff Attorney at the Women’s Law Project. “We’re thrilled to be a part of a film series aimed at engaging our community in much-needed conversations about topics like the need for paid leave, what we can do about discriminatory abortion bans, and how to address the silent suffering of sexual assault survivors who are also undocumented.”
In the first film of the Just Films series, Don’t Tell Anyone (No Le Digas a Nadie) we follow the personal story of 24 year-old Angy Rivera as she moves from the shadows into the light as an undocumented immigrant and sexual assault survivor. Through candid interviews and compelling storytelling, we witness firsthand the all too real consequences faced by over 11 million undocumented people in America today, many of whom have no options for a pathway to citizenship.
VIP Series Subscriptions are also available for $100, which includes preferred reserved seating at all ten films, invitations to private wine and cheese receptions before each film, and other fantastic benefits. For more information and to reserve single tickets or subscribe to the full film series visit: www. justfilmspgh.org
About Just Films
Just Films is a collaboration of four organizations in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania committed to women, girls, gender equity, and social justice: the Chatham University Women’s Institute, New Voices Pittsburgh, the Women and Girls Foundation, and the Women’s Law Project. We believe in the power of film to promote conversations about social, political, and economic change. We also believe in engaging the community broadly and deeply in dialogue as we pursue equality together. The ten films were selected by a review committee consisting of individuals from all four of the organizations. One film a month will be shown on Chatham’s campus from September 2016 through June 2017. Films will be free and open to the public. Each film will be followed by a panel discussion or talk-back session to keep the dialogue going. Parking is available in the Library Lot, accessible only from Murray Hill Avenue (the cobblestone street, not to be confused with Murray Avenue).
About The Chatham University Women’s Institute The Chatham University Women’s Institute serves as an umbrella to draw together the university’s broad range of gender initiatives, academic programs, and its centers of excellence – including the Center for Women’s Entrepreneurship, the Pennsylvania Center for Women and Politics, and the Women’s & Gender Studies program. The Institute works across campus and into the broader community with the aim of eradicating the social, political, and economic inequalities facing women and to promote gender equity through education, research and outreach.
About New Voices Pittsburgh New Voices Pittsburgh is the local community organizing branch of New Voices for Reproductive Justice – the premier Reproductive Justice and Human Rights organization across Pennsylvania and Ohio. Our mission is to build a social change movement dedicated to the health and well-being of Black women and girls, the leadership of women of color and the Human Rights of marginalized communities.
About the Women and Girls Foundation The mission of the Women and Girls Foundation (WGF) is to achieve equality for women and girls, now and for generations to come. Our vision is for women and girls in Pennsylvania to have equal access, opportunity, and influence in all aspects of their public and private lives. To realize this vision, the organization’s active work is focused on developing the female leaders of tomorrow and advancing women’s rights today.
About the Women’s Law Project The mission of the Women’s Law Project is to create a more just and equitable society by advancing the rights and status of all women throughout their lives. To this end, we engage in high-impact litigation, advocacy, and education.
Just Films Series Press Release