We are here to change the world.
No matter who you are or where you live, intersectional gender stereotypes are hurting you and those you love. Through film, education, and activism, The Representation Project awakens consciousness, spotlights the cost of these stereotypes, and invites everyone to build a more equitable future.
Millions of people have been touched by our storytelling and reached by our activism and resources. Jennifer Siebel Newsom founded The Representation Project in 2011 with her groundbreaking film Miss Representation, igniting a national conversation about sexism in the media. The Mask You Live In, Jennifer’s second documentary, showcased how harmful American masculinity can be for boys and young men.
These documentaries on limiting gender narratives have been viewed nearly 30 million times, with our film curricula changing the lives of over 2 million students. Siebel Newsom’s prescience has born true: that storytelling opens hearts and minds like nothing else, shifting attitudes and behaviors. This is culture transformation at its best and creates a more equitable world where everyone can reach their full potential.
Together, we are bending the long arc of history toward intersectional gender justice. This is a person-by-person and community movement.
Please join us. We need you.
Gender stereotypes are a public health crisis. Two-thirds of young women have disordered eating. More than 1 in 3 girls reported they seriously considered attempting suicide in 2021, up significantly from 2011. Boys who hold traditional ideas about masculinity are significantly more likely to bully and harass others, and suffer from depression and suicidal ideation. The dangers to our youth link back to harmful messages. For girls, these stereotypes form the root cause of body hatred and shame, eating disorders, depression, low self-esteem and low leadership ambition. For boys, they are the primary driver of depression, dangerous risk-taking activities, substance abuse, suicide and violence. By getting in front of the message, we can change the outcome.
We know our work is life-changing because people tell us so. Here are just a few messages that show our lasting impact:
“Since our screening [Miss Representation], I’ve heard a viewer talk about starting a media literacy campaign in her local community, another plans to run for office, and countless others plan to share this film with their friends, families, and most importantly, teenage daughters and sons. It’s more than a movie; it’s a movement.” – Community screening viewer
“I’m a girl, and this [The Mask You Live In] almost brought me to tears at least three times because it felt like I could feel what these boys feel. It really shows our counterpart’s perspective. Just wow.” – College Student, University of Central Florida
“I watched this film [The Mask You Live In], and it shook me to my core. I’ve been looking for this my whole adult life, and I’m ready to rewire my brain in a more healthy way.” – Mauricio F., Community screening viewer
“There were many individuals in tears during our discussion. Three young men who attended and are currently in treatment for their addiction literally sobbed through the entire discussion. It was a powerful and moving experience.” – High School Teacher, Clackamas, OR
“The Mask You Live In changed my life. It is the first documentary I’ve seen that is not only for me, but about me.” – Community screening viewer
“I went and saw Miss Representation at a screening. This was amazing. She [Jennifer Siebel Newsom] is amazing. She was saying things before other people were saying them. You would see it on screen… there was no representation, and she was saying it before anyone else, and she’s still saying it. And she hasn’t stopped.”
Check out our work over the last decade on The Representation Project Timeline.
