The Meaningful Movies Project, in partnership with our youth leadership team, invites you to an online screening of a powerful and thought-provoking screening of Belly of the Beast, a film that examines justice, accountability, and the systemic forces that shape our society.

Belly of the Beast is an intimate and hard-hitting documentary that uncovers a pattern of illegal sterilizations in women’s prisons, highlighting the long-standing fight for human rights, bodily autonomy, and institutional accountability. By showcasing the tireless efforts of modern-day advocates, the film encourages viewers to question those in power, challenge systemic corruption, and think about how to build a more active, compassionate, and fair future for everyone.

Opening Short Film

The event opens with Please Understand by Director Lindy Boustedt.  Residents at the Washington Corrections Center for Women wrote on cards one thing they wish people on the outside understood about them. Students in the SHARE class then collected those cards and found unique ways to visually capture them for this video.  – Filmmaker in attendance

Post-Film Discussion

Join us for a live panel discussion immediately following the screening with both directors, Erika Cohn and Lindy Boustedt. High school interns from the Meaningful Movies Project will moderate a conversation about the film’s themes, its real-world impact, and how we can take an active role in ensuring justice is experienced by all.

Event Details

• Date: Saturday, August 26th, 2026
• Time: 1:00 PM PST (Tech rooms open early; program begins promptly at 1:00 PM)
• Location: Online Screening via Zoom (Must Register to Get the Link)
• Admission: FREE!!! – However, donations are welcome.

There is no cost to attend, but donations help us continue offering meaningful films and discussions to the community. Every bit of support truly matters. DONATE TO: Donate | Social Justice Documentary Films & Community Discussions

To Register: [ https://www.eventbrite.com/e/belly-of-the-beast-free-community-event-screening-tickets-1995625341116 ]

This event is open to students, educators, families, and all community members passionate about civic engagement, human rights, justice, and meaningful dialogue. All are welcome!

About Our Panelist:

Erika Cohn is a two-time Emmy Award-winning, Peabody Award-recipient, and Directors Guild of America Award-winning documentary filmmaker, producer, and founder of Idle Wild Films, Inc., whose work blends investigative journalism with powerful human storytelling focused on marginalized communities, legal systems, and human rights. Named one of Variety’s top documentary filmmakers to watch and included in DOC NYC’s 2019 “40 Under 40” list, her acclaimed films include Belly of the Beast, The Judge, and In Football We Trust, which have premiered at major festivals including Sundance and Toronto and aired on PBS Independent Lens.

Lindy Boustedt is an award-winning writer, director, and producer. As co-owner of First Sight Productions, she’s spent the past 20+ years working on everything from shorts and features to serialized production and branded content to podcasts and VR/AR media. Her narrative work has over 22M views on YouTube and has screened at festivals all over the world. In addition to her current film work, she runs SHARE: Screenwriting for Healing, self-Actualization, Redemption and Empathy, a storytelling education program for incarcerated women and youth.

Thank You to Our Partners: 

SHARE is a program where screenwriting and filmmaking are used as redemptive tools for incarcerated communities around Washington State who might not otherwise have a voice – offering catharsis, healing, and job-skills for those about to re-enter society.

Thank You to the Meaningful Movies Mount Baker, Meaningful Movies Spokane, Meaningful Movies MT Rainier and Meaningful Movies Ballard and Sustainable Ballard for co – hosting this event with us.