About This Project
Summary
As the first elected councilwoman of her deeply conservative Iranian village, Sara Shahverdi — a divorced, motorcycle riding, former midwife — stands out. Tenacious and not easily intimidated, Sara is determined to uplift her community and aims to break long-held patriarchal traditions by training teenage girls to ride motorcycles and stopping child marriages. When accusations arise questioning Sara’s intentions to empower the girls, her identity is put in turmoil.
Goals & Objectives
By telling one woman's story of achieving local social change despite immense setbacks, we aim to: 1) challenge perceptions and build awareness of global issues such as child marriage, land rights, and gender equity and 2) inspire grassroots community-building and women's leadership.
Results & Impact
Made over 8 years through intimate, trust-based filmmaking, Cutting Through Rocks tells a local story that resonates internationally. The film won a Sundance Grand Jury Prize, screened at 25+ festivals, will have a US theatrical run in 50+ theaters, and is among the most talked about films of 2025.
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