An Open Letter in Support of Abortion Access From the Film Industry
Abortion access is in crisis. This is a human rights issue none of us can afford to be silent on. The ability to control our reproductive health decisions is essential to every person’s personal, political, and economic freedom.
We are coming together as individuals and organizations working in the film industry, we know how profoundly stories shape the world we live in. While many film exhibitors and organizations have done meaningful work to highlight stories centering reproductive rights and the destigmatization of abortion, we’re deeply concerned by the lack of public comment on this issue, during such ominous times for reproductive justice and abortion access. We must take action now to support the filmmakers and subjects of those and future stories by being in solidarity with all who are and will be impacted by these restrictive laws.
There are steps all of us can take in the scope of our individual work to support abortion access in the United States and around the globe. As signers of this letter, we have highlighted what that commitment looks like.
Together we can make a difference.
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
Peace is Loud
Peace is Loud is committed to running impact campaigns focused on reproductive health, rights, and justice — including our 2022 impact campaign for On the Divide; increasing the visibility of global reproductive justice leaders on our speakers bureau like Dr. Tererai Trent; and recruiting new voices in the field for our Speakers Bureau.
The Future of Film is Female
The FOFIF is committed to highlighting films and filmmakers (narrative and documentary, feature or short) that tell stories about the numerous ways in which reproductive justice impacts our lives. We realize this commitment through supporting abortion rights films via our Short Film Fund and, perhaps in the most visible way, by continuing to screen these works in cinemas.
mama.film
mama.film centers both the presentation and creation of stories and storytellers who come together to champion humanity and human rights — especially women and historically excluded populations. We are committed to supporting the media and creators who continue to shine a bright light on abortion access & choice, and give voice to the changemakers who bravely advocate for reproductive justice for all human beings.
rePRO
rePRO was founded as an exhibition, education & awareness platform for womxn’s reproductive justice. Through film screenings and conversations with activists, advocates, allies, and storytellers, we are committed to building a legion of support for abortion access, bodily autonomy, and a person’s right to choose.
Vidiots Foundation
Vidiots Foundation profoundly believes in advocating for and protecting the reproductive rights and bodily autonomy of all people. We commit to this by maintaining audience access to stories that center reproductive justice and destigmatize abortion, a most basic human need. Through our vast and growing physical media library, and by fostering conversation around these works through public screenings and programs, we will continue to amplify these stories, as we have since our founding.
Cinema Queer México / Impacta Cine
Abortion should be legal, safe, and accessible for all! 💚 Educación sexual para decidir, anticonceptivos para no abortar, aborto legal para no morir.
Caryn Coleman, The Future of Film is Female
I commit to ensuring that the stories of women’s access to abortion and reproductive justice will always have a platform.
Aubin Pictures, Inc.
As an organization deeply committed to its feminist origins and practices, Aubin Pictures stands in solidarity with its cultural producing peers to fight for abortion access and reproductive justice.
Heard City
We support women!
Oscilloscope Laboratories
Oscilloscope is committed to continuing to support stories about reproductive freedom in our distribution of independent films and by way of any opportunities in which our voice can work toward a great good. While this is in no way an issue limited by geography, what we’ve seen recently in Texas, in which a bunch of mostly old-ass White men feel it’s their place to police other peoples’ bodies with no concern for those individuals’ personal situations, should serve as yet another reminder and a clarion call that this fight is ongoing and we can never lose sight of it.
Horrible Imaginings Film Festival
We may be a festival dedicated to expressions of horror in art, but we condemn the very real horrors visited on women every day through the threats and actions against access to reproductive rights. We recognize that the threats to Reproductive Justice disproportionately affect communities of color, as well as communities already struggling with poverty and discrimination. Reproductive Justice is an intersectional cause that affects all of us.
Women and Hollywood
Women and Hollywood was founded with the aim of highlighting stories by and about women, and promoting stories about reproductive justice has always been, and will continue to be, one of our core values. We are committed to advocating for a person’s right to choose, and as disheartening as it is to still be having this conversation, we pledge to always raise our voice in support of making contraception and abortion safe and accessible for all. Whether it’s covering titles such as “Plan B,” “Happening,” or “Never Rarely Sometimes Always,” or reporting on pro-choice happenings in the industry, we will continue our efforts to spread this message far and wide.
Dedza Films
I stand with FOFIF in our fight for reproductive freedom.
On The Divide Documentary
The Co-Directors & Producers of ON THE DIVIDE are committed to shining a light on those impacted by abortion laws in the Rio Grande Valley where there is currently only one clinic, Whole Woman’s Health. Our goal with ON THE DIVIDE and its impact campaign is to reach outside of the echo chambers and pose the question, “what does choice mean if you’re not afforded any options?”
Magnolia Pictures
Magnolia Pictures unequivocally supports access to reproductive rights for all. For over two decades, we have proudly amplified the documentary and narrative work of diverse filmmakers, advocates and activists. We firmly believe that full autonomy is integral to authentic storytelling and remain committed to any and all efforts in service of that.
Julie La’Bassiere, The Future of Film is Female
I stand with and for women who have the right to choose.
Obscured Pictures
We will continue to support stories about reproductive freedom and health equity in the films we promote.
Level Forward
There is a mighty courage to storytelling that braves the reverberations of difficult conversations, provocations to conventional thinking, and disruptions of the status quo. Level Forward stands with the passionate creators behind these narratives and their systems-change counterparts, aligned in bettering the lives of any woman who lacks the most basic rights, including the right of choice. In support of WHAT THE CONSTITUTION MEANS TO ME, NO ONE ASKED YOU, ON THE RECORD, and JAGGED LITTLE PILL, in support of the ERA COALITION, THE NEW YORK WOMEN’S FOUNDATION, GIRLS FOR GENDER EQUITY, ELMCOR, and many more, we remain by your side in this struggle.
Abigail Disney
Through my production company Fork Films, I fund documentaries about reproductive justice, including Vessel and Trapped, and the nonprofit I founded, Peace is Loud, runs impact campaigns for films about abortion access and supports reproductive justice leaders around the world.
Naomi Ramsey, Vidiots
Our bodies, Our rights…. no Justice, no Peace!
Women Make Movies
Women Make Movies is deeply committed to supporting women-identified filmmakers who tell stories about reproductive rights and reproductive justice. We realize this commitment by distributing films and offering fundraising and consulting support to films that champion feminist perspectives, document issues of abortion access, address unjust laws, advocate for women’s bodily autonomy, and expose how women of color and poor women are disproportionately affected by restrictive legislation. We ensure that organizations of all kinds in North America and around the world can screen and include such films in their collections films. Our 2020–2021 new releases include four important films that address the Hyde Amendment, forced sterilization of people incarcerated in a California women’s prison, restrictive abortion laws in El Salvador, and the threat to reproductive rights in the U.S.. We are committed to amplifying these stories and their impact — and we will continue to do so as long as women’s bodies and rights are in jeopardy.
Belly of the Beast
The BELLY OF THE BEAST film team stands in solidarity with all who are and will be impacted by restrictive abortion laws. Reproductive justice cannot be achieved without accessible reproductive care, including quality healthcare, comprehensive sex education, affordable contraception and abortion, alternative birth options, and so much more. BELLY OF THE BEAST is committed to raising critical awareness about reproductive injustices, and working towards a world where every person‘s right to bodily autonomy is recognized.
Women Make Movies
Women Make Movies is deeply committed to supporting women-identified filmmakers who tell stories about reproductive rights and reproductive justice. We realize this commitment by distributing films and offering fundraising and consulting support to films that champion feminist perspectives, document issues of abortion access, address unjust laws, advocate for women’s bodily autonomy, and expose how women of color and poor women are disproportionately affected by restrictive legislation. We ensure that organizations of all kinds in North America and around the world can screen and include such films in their collections films. Our 2020–2021 new releases include four important films that address the Hyde Amendment, forced sterilization of people incarcerated in a California women’s prison, restrictive abortion laws in El Salvador, and the threat to reproductive rights in the U.S.. We are committed to amplifying these stories and their impact — and we will continue to do so as long as women’s bodies and rights are in jeopardy.
Belly of the Beast
The BELLY OF THE BEAST film team stands in solidarity with all who are and will be impacted by restrictive abortion laws. Reproductive justice cannot be achieved without accessible reproductive care, including quality healthcare, comprehensive sex education, affordable contraception and abortion, alternative birth options, and so much more. BELLY OF THE BEAST is committed to raising critical awareness about reproductive injustices, and working towards a world where every person‘s right to bodily autonomy is recognized.
Chelo Alvarez-Stehle, innerLENS Productions
I pledge to support freedom for a woman to access abortion and reproductive justice.
Impacta Cine
My body, my decision!
International Festival and Forum on Human Rights — FIFDH
While many film exhibitors and organizations have done meaningful work to highlight stories centering reproductive rights and the destigmatization of abortion, we’re deeply concerned by the lack of public comment on this issue, during such ominous times for reproductive justice and abortion access. We must take action now to support the filmmakers and subjects of those and future stories by being in solidarity with all who are and will be impacted by these restrictive laws.
Together Films Ltd
We are honoured to sign on behalf of Together Films. Having supported both the rePRO Film Festival and the launch of the feature doc The 8th, these issues are of key interest to our community.
Young Entertainment Activists
As an organization rooted in activism in the entertainment industry, we commit to using our platform and community to amplify the voices of those fighting for reproductive freedom.
Michon Boston Group
Support impact goals and stories on reproductive justice. Also support affordable childcare and resources for struggling families. And support women’s choices in all matters around health and wellbeing.
Red Owl and Abortion Helpline, This is Lisa
Red Owl and the filmmakers of Abortion Helpline, This is Lisa stand in solidarity with all individuals harmed by reproductive injustice. Abortion Helpline, This is Lisa shows in stark simplicity how cruel legislation determines who in America has access to abortion. We call for accessible reproductive care for all.
Patricia Finneran, Story Matters Media
Proud to add my signature and voice to this letter. Reproductive justice is essential to creating a truly equitable and just society where human health is valued over politics and every person has both rights over their body and affordable access to health care.
PatchWorks Films
Women have an absolute right to make decisions about their own bodies. I stand in solidarity with all those who work for reproductive justice.
Fork Films
Fork Films supports the fight for abortion access and reproductive justice around the world. We have funded documentaries highlighting stories and voices in and around this urgent and timely area, including 62 Days, After Tiller, Bei Bei, Belly of the Beast, One Child Nation, The 8th, Trapped, and Vessel.
PRIME LATINO MEDIA
Thirty years ago as a bilingual multimedia company we opened a non-profit training inner city Latino and Black teens to produce among 70 documentary shorts, Teen Pregnancy videos and TV Talk Show pilots targeting Latino and Black youth with their reproductive health, while in tandem teaching them HIV/AIDS prevention giving them choices in life and full control of their bodies for their own wellbeing without any limitations. In 2015 we produced a documentary feature, LATINA CONFESSIONS interviewing Latinas about their cultural identity and their sexual freedom in spite of cultural conditioning to the contrary about being in control of their sexuality and reproductive health. Today, we are a professional Latino artists network devoted to the independent Latino multimedia-maker, actor and musician in English and Spanish, and one of our five programs, the Estela Institute is devoted to the personal and professional growth of Latina multimedia-makers, actresses and musicians giving them a forum and voice to tell their own stories and causes championed for empowerment that they choose to advocate.
