HOW TO JOIN THE REVOLUTION

PLEASE NOTE! Applications for Première screens have now closed as the big launch has come and gone, but here is all the information you need to know if you are one of our Première screeners. You should also check out the FAQ page and the Press Resources page.

 Turn your homes into the foundation stones

of a revolution that will change birth around the world.

Here's how:

• Invite people to your home
• Show them a première screening of “Freedom for Birth”
• Start The Conversation
• Until each one of them pledges an action that will change the world

What is Freedom for Birth?

• "Freedom for Birth" is more than just a film. It marks the beginning of a movement that will focus global attention on the violations of women's rights during childbirth all around the world.
• All women should have the right, protected by law, to decide where and how they give birth.
• The problem is that the rise of a dominant obstetric "machine" is robbing women of this right.
• The result is that many women are being subjected to medical interventions and c-sections they neither want or need.
• Tragically, midwives, the very guardians of normal birth, are being persecuted and criminally prosecuted to the extent that some have even been imprisoned.
• "Freedom for Birth" will highlight the human rights abuses happening right now in North America, Europe, Australia and beyond.
• And, the film will offer up a solution that can help protect womens' rights
• And that solution involves you!

 How can I get involved now?

• We need 1,000 "birth champions" to host première screenings within their local communities.
• These champions will become the foundation stones of the revolution.
• And we want one of these champions to be YOU!

These 1,000 première screenings will happen around the world on one single day. It will become an unprecedented event that attracts worldwide publicity, an event that will start to revolutionise birth around the world.

When is this happening?

 Save the date!

Thursday 20th September 2012.

What do I need to do?

It really is simple:

• Organise a screening on Thursday 20th September 2012.
• Invite local people.
• Show the film.
• Discuss the issues.
• Pledge an action.

Help!

When you've got your perk we'll email you a Screening Kit that contains all the promotional materials and 'How To' lists you'll need to get up and running. We're still working on the kit, but it will be available very soon.

You can also check out our FAQ page here.

Why my home?

Our homes are the foundations of family and community so where better to start a birth revolution than the place where everyone feels most comfortable and confident?

But, there is another reason...

The most important part of your event is The Conversation that happens AFTER the film screening when everyone's fired up and determined to take action. We visualize hundreds of animated discussions happening around kitchen (or coffee) tables all over the world; individual groups planning bold actions within their communities that, when joined together, will create global impact.

However, if you want to make a grander event out of your screening, you may wish to hold it in a community centre, cafe or even in a cinema and invite key speakers to join in The Conversation. Any costs you incur could be recouped by charging for tickets or refreshments. More information about this sort of screening will be included in the Screening Kit.

But...

The only thing we wouldn't want is for audience members to drift away after the screening without participating in The Conversation about how each of them can actually be part of the movement for change.

Isn't "Revolution" a dangerous word?

We see revolution as a movement that goes around the world in order to bring change where change is desperately needed.

• Change is only possible when it is demanded by the community.
  
• Change requires more than just a "Like" or a “Share” via social media.
• Real change requires real action.

And that change starts on a local level. Then, through the power of the Internet, these humble beginnings join together to become the foundations of a global movement.

What sort of action needs to happen?

This action could be a rally, a petition, starting a blog or even holding another screening of the film to keep spreading the word. Our hope is that the conversations that happen after the screenings will generate a plethora of creative ideas.

The role of the Internet

We will be setting up live feeds on social networking sites where individuals and groups can post their pledges of action, to show how the movement is building momentum and to encourage others to join in.

The Internet is an extremely powerful tool that can reach the individual directly and immediately. The key is to link all these individuals up so that their single voices combine to become one huge shout.

Where will this culminate?

The revolution may start as dispersed little drops of water, but each of these will collect into a giant wave that will take the message right to the very top. Presidents, Prime Ministers, Heads of Institutions and businesses will all hear this shout for change and they will have to respond.

What we are aiming for is the tipping point where change actually happens.

Is this for me?

This is for people who care deeply enough about birth to be part of the change. Those that want to stand up and be counted. To fight for what they believe is right. To make themselves heard locally and globally.

But it all starts with you doing something as simple as holding a première film screening on

Thursday 20th September 2012.

Join us. Be part of the change. And together we will take back childbirth.

One World Birth. Save birth, change the world.

Who is in the film?

The main character in the film is the Hungarian midwife Ágnes Geréb who has been criminally prosecuted and has served time in prison for supporting women who chose homebirth.

The film also features many of the world's leading birth experts:
Ina May Gaskin, Michel Odent, Sheila Kitzinger, Robbie Davis-Floyd, Dr Sarah Buckley, Prof Sally Tracy, Prof Lesley Page, Prof Kirsten Uvnas-Moberg, Prof Soo Downe, Assoc Prof Denis Walsh, Jennie Joseph, perinatologist Dr Brad Bootstaylor plus many more academics, midwives, doulas, OB/GYNs, birth educators, campaigners, lawyers and parents.

Plus representatives from many of the world's leading birth organisations: Royal College of Midwives, MANA, ACNM, CAM, CAPPA and many more.

Who are the filmmakers?

FREEDOM FOR BIRTH is part of One World Birth, a global documentary film project intended to be a catalyst to improve birth around the world. One World Birth is the brainchild of a filmmaking couple, Toni Harman and Alex Wakeford. The difficult birth 4 years ago of our daughter inspired us to use our skills as filmmakers to "save birth and change the world!".

One World Birth is a self-funded (and also part crowd-funded through IndieGoGo) independent film project. We have no affiliations and no official partners. That means we are free to make the films that we want to make. Our previous films about birth include DOULA! and REAL BIRTH STORIES.