Our Surroundings, Our Stories: Through the Eyes of Young Angelenas

Join us on March 28th for a special screening of four short social-impact documentaries created by WVN-trained youth, followed by a conversation with WVN Executive Director Heidi Basch-Harod, WVN Creative Director Leila Jarman, and Leslie Aaronson, Program Manager of Girls Build, about the importance and impact of engaging female youth in the fight for women’s rights.

Women’s Voices Now (WVN) is a non-profit organization that advocates women’s rights by using the power of social impact film to influence media and culture. Through their Youth Media Training program, WVN develops the voices of young women throughout Los Angeles by placing them in front of and behind the camera, training the media-makers of tomorrow and building a community of young activists.

Leila Jarman is an award-winning filmmaker, producer, and multimedia artist. As Creative Director and Resident Filmmaker at Women’s Voices Now, Leila is responsible for generating innovative ideas and new approaches to digital and in-person programs to engage activists, filmmakers and audiences both locally and globally. Leila directs WVN’s annual international online film festival, provides mentorship for filmmakers, produces branded WVN content and films and curates screenings, workshops and advocacy events in Los Angeles and abroad.

Heidi Basch-Harod is the executive director of Women’s Voices Now (WVN). Heidi is responsible for the vision, strategy, and international fundraising efforts that sustain and grow WVN’s programs, locally and globally. She is the founding editor of WVN’s digital publication, The WVoice.

Leslie Aaronson is a National and regional thought leader, educator and advocate for girls and underrepresented populations for access and equity in STEM and computer science working as the Strategic Director for K12 Initiatives at NCWIT, and the program leader of Girls Build for LA Promise Fund.

Films:

UNDER THE SCARF
Mehrin, like any other teenage girl, tries to navigate her way through high school. Once the scarf is on, she’s deemed a stereotype. (Profiling GlobalGirl Mehrin Ashraf.)

THROWING SHADE(S)
A focus on the colorism and stigmas surrounding the underground drag performance community in Los Angeles.

EVERYWHERE WE GO
Following teenagers in the POC community who are battling mental illness and how it affects them in their everyday lives.

CODE RED
Entering womanhood isn’t always easy. When encountering periods, women and young girls often have to “go with the flow”. This film destigmatizes period talk by presenting scientific facts and personal experiences with a comedic edge.