Filmmaker Statement

In the upcoming school year, students across Hawaii will have access to free menstrual products in their schools, in part because of one middle school activist club’s mission to end period poverty. Period poverty is the limited or inadequate access to menstrual products or menstrual education. It can affect students’ ability to attend school and to learn; almost a quarter of the youth in the United States have experienced it at some point. Period poverty disproportionately affects lower-income students and students of color. We wanted to make this film to share the inspiring story of a small group of teenagers who believed in a cause, aimed to solve a local problem, and ended up creating an outsized and lasting impact. Conceptualized as a vibrant scrapbook, the film is a student-centered chronicle of the journey from idea to impact. We hope the film raises awareness of period poverty, highlights the determination of youth, and inspires others to take action in their communities.