“Ours to Tell” is a short film we created in 3months as part of a storytelling effort to destigmatize abortion. The film launched on January 21, 2020, the day before the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, with a multi-channel activation via live screenings, earned and paid media, organic and paid social, supporter engagement emails and SMS, and an influencer/celebrity “sneaker drop.”
A launch event was held on January 22, the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, with influencers and media at the Roxy Screening Room.
The film defends the power of choice and access to safe, and legal abortion in this county and encourages understanding and compassion. 1 in 4 women choose to have an abortion in their lifetime, and despite near constant political attacks, the vast majority of Americans support access.
Overview: Without shame and without fear "Ours to Tell" iS short film, that depicts four people who share their abortion stories and walk in their truth. By owning the lives they choose what unfolds is an unfiltered and poetic demonstration of how the right to access abortion acts as a dynamic turning point in an individual's journey to freedom and self love. Each with different perspectives and experiences, the film's subjects — Brittany, Hannah, Nick and Ylonda — take us inside their worlds, their families, their souls and boldly illustrate the beauty and power of bodily autonomy. As we watch, listen and love each storyteller we also bear witness to a chilling reality: The fundamental freedom to own our body and future has never been more uncertain than it is today.
To date, the film has been accepted into 35 film festivals and has won the following awards:
Gold and Royal Gem Diamond Awards from the Queen Palm International Film Festival
Best Documentary Film of August 2020 from Direct Monthly Online Film Festival
Audience Choice Award for Best Documentary Short at the Women’s Film Festival San Diego
Best Short Documentary Film at the Chi-Town Multicultural Film Festival
Finalist at the Arizona Short Film Festival
Semifinalist at the Louisiana LGBT+ Film Festival, The Dumbo Film Festival, and the Couch Film Festival
Directed by Rayka Zeytabchi
Produced by Planned Parenthood in collaboration with We Testify
Senior Creative Director/Executive Producer: Elizabeth Bawol
Executive Producer: Lauren Gardimonde-Fisher, Ylonda Gault, Rachel Moreno
Full Production Credits in film.