Strand: AUTONOMY

The right to personal autonomy and self-determination is a central concern for activists and allies across feminist, queer and trans movements around the world.

And while some gains have been made in the past, these issues still persist:

that in 2020, 4.1 million girls around the world are at risk of undergoing female genital mutilation.
Abortion is still banned, restricted or simply not accessible in many countries around the world.
According to Amnesty International, 215 million womxn worldwide are “not using contraception, even though they want to stop or delay having children”.
Studies, for example by Stonewall, show that many trans people have experienced transphobic discrimination, harassment or abuse.

People around the world are deprived of the right to make their own decisions, whether it is with regards to their sexual and reproductive rights or their right to self-determine their gender identity.

The four films in our strand AUTONOMY follow different stories of personal struggles and enquire into what happens when we choose to reclaim this right to self-determination.

IN SEARCH… is an autobiographical film by Beryl Magoko, an FGM survivor who documents her journey to reconstructive surgery. Beryl will be present at the film screening (more info about our guests here) & share her experiences in a post-screening discussion. Book tickets for Saturday, 22 February here.
In LITTLE MISS WESTIE, we meet Luca and Ren, two transgender siblings who navigate gender norms and puberty during the Trump era in the United States. Book tickets for Saturday, 22 February here.
Based on Julia Samuel’s successful theatre show, Lindy Heymann’s adaptation of I TOLD MY MUM I WAS ON AN R.E. TRIP explores issues around abortion. The 45-minute film will be followed by an in-depth Open Forum Discussion about reproductive rights. Book tickets for Saturday, 22 February here.
THE AWAKENING OF THE ANTS tells the story of young mother-of-two Isa, who is caught between the domestic pressure of her in-laws, her husband’s dream of a third child and her own dreams and aspirations for life. Book tickets for Saturday, 22 February here.