From acclaimed Filipino-American Director Ramona Diaz comes And So It Begins, as powerful documentary set amidst the traditional pomp and circumstance of Filipino elections in which a quirky people’s movement rises to defend the nation against deepening threats to truth and democracy. In a collective act of joy as a form of resistance, hope flickers against the backdrop of increasing autocracy. 

Gabby Giffords Won’t Back Down tells the extraordinary story of former Arizona Congresswoman Gabby Giffords: her relentless fight to recover following an assassination attempt in 2011, and her new life as one of the most effective activists in the battle against gun violence. Featuring extensive verité filming of Gabby and her husband, astronaut-turned-senator Mark Kelly; interviews with Barack Obama and other friends and colleagues; and exclusive access to stunning videos taken in the weeks following her near-death, this film is the story of a rising star transformed by gun violence, and a close-up portrait of the marriage that sustains her.

He Named Me Malala tells the inspiring true story of Malala Yousafzai. When she began detailing her experiences in the Swat Valley of Pakistan as am 11-year-old blogger for the BBC, she had no idea what momentous changes were coming in her life.

Her father Ziauddin, a school founder and dedicated teacher, was outspoken in his belief that girls, including his beloved daughter, had a right to an education. As they continued to speak out against restrictions imposed by extremists, Ziauddin received constant death threats, so many that he began to sleep in different places. But it was Malala who was almost killed, shot in the head by a gunman on her way home from school. Her survival and recovery have been little short of miraculous.

Grounded in the empowerment of women in historical and contemporary STEM leadership, the Hidden Figures curriculum guide highlights the determination of Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson, three Black women known as “human computers” who were employed by NASA in Langley, Virginia. These women transcended the discriminatory biases of colleagues and community members to achieve their goals and become leaders in the fields of mathematics and engineering.

Award-winning documentary Jane shows how when Jane Goodall and her peers Dian Fossey and Birutė Galdikas began their longitudinal studies of chimpanzees, gorillas, and orangutans, respectively, they began more than one revolution in the biological sciences. By patiently integrating herself into the community she was studying, Jane pioneered a methodology of observation and allowed a new understanding of what it means to be human and proved that women could be successful as scientists in a world previously dominated by men.

Meshes of the Afternoon (1943) is a 14-minute film by experimental filmmaker Maya Deren (1917-1961). The film is considered one of the most “influential works in American experimental cinema,” according to MOMA (the Museum of Modern Art). The Library of Congress selected it for preservation in 1990.

Queen of Katwe is based on the colorful, true story of a young girl selling corn on the streets of rural Uganda. Her world rapidly changes when she is introduced to the game of chess, and, as a result of the support she receives from her family and community, is instilled with the confidence and determination she needs to pursue her dream of becoming an international chess champion. The film stars Golden Globe nominee David Oyelowo (Selma), Oscar winner and Tony Award nominee Lupita Nyong’o (12 Years a Slave), and newcomer Madina Nalwanga.

Rebel Hearts tells the remarkable story of the the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. In 1960s Los Angeles, they bravely stood up to the patriarchy of the Catholic Church, fighting for equality, their livelihoods, and their own freedom against an all-powerful Cardinal who sought to keep them in their place. Their bold acts of faith, defiance and activism turned the Church upside-down, helping to reshape our society in ways that continue to resonate more than fifty years later. From marching in Selma in 1965 to the Women’s March in 2018, they challenged the notion of what a nun and a woman were supposed to be — and they continue to take a stand today.

Groundbreaking feature film Wadjda follows the adventures of an enterprising ten-year-old Saudi girl who challenges tradition to follow her dream. Wadjda enters her school’s Quran recitation competition as a way to raise funds to buy the green bicycle that has captured her heart. This joyful film celebrates persistence, resilience and ingenuity to inspire students of all genders.