Put the blinders on. As in, don’t compare yourself to other filmmakers. Everyone is on their own journey, and the more you look at what other people are doing, it can make you feel less worthy. Focus on your own journey and stay true to yourself.
As a part of our series about “Filmmakers Making A Social Impact” I had the pleasure of interviewing Asha Dahya.
Asha Dahya is a filmmaker, TEDx Speaker, author and mom with nearly 2 decades of experience creating content for major broadcast networks and digital platforms including FOX, ABC, MSN.com, MTV, Nickelodeon, Disney, Snapchat, ACLU, Supermajority and more.
Passionate about gender equality and reproductive freedom, Asha directed a short documentary about later abortion titled SOMEONE YOU KNOW, which premiered at the Athena Film Festival in 2024. She is is currently in development on an audio series about the Green Wave Movement in Latin America, titled Green Tide Rising. She is the Board Chair for the national non-profit organization Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice (RCRC.org). You can see more of her work at www.AshaDahya.com and follow her on Instagram and X @ashadahya.
Thank you so much for doing this interview with us! Before we dive in, our readers would love to get to know you a bit. Can you share your “backstory” that brought you to this career?
I have worked in film and TV for 20 years, in Australia as well as the United States. I have always had a passion for using the media as a way to elevate personal stories and create deeper connections. Filmmaking is arguably the most effective and powerful communication tool in the world, and this is the reason I took up a career path in the film and TV industry right out of college. I’ve always had something to say, and these messages have varied throughout my life. From what it takes to be a powerful woman, to pushing back against the patriarchy, and even to amplify the lived experiences of typically marginalized voices (women of color especially). Because of this, it was only natural that I had my sights set on this industry from a young age, and I am still here today.
It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
It may not be considered a “mistake” of sorts, but more like a false start. I initially began working on my most recent project, a short documentary titled SOMEONE YOU KNOW featuring three women sharing their experiences navigating a hostile landscape, as well as numerous barriers, to get a later abortion, in the summer of 2020. At that time I had a toddler and a newborn baby, COVID was rampant and still very scary, and the country was witnessing the Black Lives Matter protests in response to the murder of George Floyd, all in the lead up to the November 2020 Presidential election. I had begun working on this film with the intent to edit and release it in time for conversations around the election. I knew many Republican political candidates would predictably be sharing misinformation about later abortion, and sure enough, Donald Trump said some heinous statements, which were outright lies.
Because there was so much happening, the initial production team I was working with, who were funding the film at that point, decided to put the project aside indefinitely in order to prioritize other projects. I understood, of course, but it was deeply disappointing. Nevertheless, I made the decision in early 2021 to seek other ways of funding the project and complete it. It ended up taking me close to 4 years, numerous small grants, a Kickstarter campaign and plenty of my own money, but it ended up being completed when it was meant to — after Roe v Wade was overturned, and in the lead up to the 2024 election.
The biggest lesson I learned from this is that every film is its own beast. They take time to create and put together in the right way, and you can’t rush good work. Timing really is everything in the film world and I am glad that I kept going even during the years it felt impossible or that I was so far away from the finish line.
Who are some of the most interesting people you have interacted with? What was that like? Do you have any stories?
I think every social impact filmmaker can agree that when you put your heart and soul into a meaningful project, the right people will come your way if you are willing to put yourself out there. I was randomly telling an industry friend about the project I was working on, and she ended up opening up to me about her own later abortion story, having to make a heartbreaking decision during a wanted pregnancy. I had no idea! i could sense in that moment she was very happy I was making this film, because many later abortion patients receive a lot of harassment, and are misunderstood because of the misinformation and ugly rhetoric shared by political figures. Because of this, many of them stay silent. But it also reiterated the power of storytelling and the ability for films to connect people, and make them feel seen. This friend, who also works in television, gave me a post-production recommendation who I contacted and ended up working with them on all my music and sound mix. They were such a wonderful company who believed in the message of my film, and even worked with my modest budget to help me finish the film. This whole story of connection and vulnerability was a beautiful way of the universe telling me to keep going, and that the right people will come along at the right time to guide you to your goal.
Which people in history inspire you the most? Why?
I used to answer questions like this with a list of famous people or well-known names. But the more I work in impact film and the social impact space, the more I admire the everyday heroes who often go unseen or unnoticed by mainstream media. I have always been drawn to stories of the underdog, because those are the most inspirational to me. We can see ourselves in other folks who don’t often get the due they deserve. It’s one of the reasons I wrote my book ‘Today’s Wonder Women: Everyday Superheroes Who Are Changing The World’, featuring 50 badass women, girls and femmes who are creating change in their communities and industries, despite not being household names. It’s also why I made my film SOMEONE YOU KNOW, because the everyday stories of women who are pushing back against restrictive abortion laws often become the most powerful catalyst for changing people’s minds on a topic like abortion. When you see everyday heroes and are invited into the nuance of their lives, they become a mirror to our own lives, and we are able to empathize with them. From there, we can find the courage to follow in their footsteps, and find our own ways to be heroic in our lives, whether in big ways or small.
Let’s now shift to the main focus of our interview, how are you using your success to bring goodness to the world? Can you share with us the meaningful or exciting social impact causes you are working on right now?
This year my main social impact project is my short documentary titled SOMEONE YOU KNOW, which features three women sharing their experiences navigating a hostile landscape, as well as numerous barriers, to get a later abortion. Given we are in an election year, the Supreme Court is set to hear two new abortion cases that could decimate access to emergency procedures, and a dozen states are expected to vote on abortion ballot measures in November, my film is more timely and urgent than ever. And this is not even mentioning what would happen if a Republican (let’s face it, Donald Trump) wins back the White House in the presidential election. The party has already outlined plans for a national abortion ban and was to bypass congress to restrict abortion even further.
There is already a lot of misinformation and propaganda around later abortion. My goal, with this film, is to cut through all that noise and bring some levity. I am doing this through first-person storytelling that shows the layers and nuance in each of my characters. They are everyday people just like you and me, and by getting a glimpse into their lives and experiences, I hope audiences will be able to have empathy for them, and all later abortion patients. I want to shine a light on these bold, brave women who are choosing to use their real names and be on camera, in the hope of making other later abortion patients feel less alone in their experiences.
Many of us have ideas, dreams, and passions, but never manifest it. But you did. Was there an “Aha Moment” that made you decide that you were actually going to step up and take action for this cause? What was that final trigger?
This film took me four years to make and there were MANY moments I wanted to give up! Indie filmmaking is definitely not for the faint of heart, and it requires persistence. I don’t know if I can point to one specific moment in my journey to finishing SOMEONE YOU KNOW, but there have been a few key moments that were a loud signal, telling me to “keep going”.
I applied for numerous grants, most of which I was not successful in being chosen. But there were 3 small grants I did get, and when I got the email saying I was chosen as a recipient, it gave me a huge boost! It helped me move to the next step, until I needed to stop and apply for more funding. Eventually I launched a Kickstarter campaign in late 2022 to get me to the finish line. That was a hard 30 days, finding my inner strength and believing me and my project were worth investing in. After the Kickstarter, I was able to secure some additional funding from a private donor who I had built a relationship with over the years. After paying my final vendor and completing the final edit of my film, it was like a huge relief! The whole process was a lesson in learning how to believe in myself, and being my own biggest advocate. There is no savior who will swoop in and make all your dreams come true. Through hard work and persistence, you can make your goals a reality if you don’t give up. The timeline may look different to what you initially expected, but if you stay the course, believing that the right resources and right people will show up when you need, you will be successful.
Can you tell us a story about a particular individual who was impacted or helped by your cause?
As the film is in its early phase of the festival run, I am yet hear a lot of stories about the impact of my film. But among the people I have shared the film with so far, I have been blown away by the responses, giving me a glimpse of what I hope the larger impact will be. Two friends and colleagues, who are pro choice, said my film gave them the opportunity to challenge their own internalized stigma around later abortion. This makes me happy, because the anti-abortion propaganda has seeped into many pro choice circles, with statements such as “I’m pro choice, except when it is in the 7th or 8th month…”. SOMEONE YOU KNOW dispels the myth around who later abortion patients are, and why this procedure is necessary and must not be restricted. There is so much valuable information about later abortion that just isn’t well known outside of dedicated medical networks and repro rights, justice and health circles. So this is my way of bring the information to the masses, in the hope it will have a huge impact.
Are there three things that individuals, society or the government can do to support you in this effort?
Yes! The first, for individuals, is to spread the word, and share my website www.someoneyouknowdoc.com with your community. Have conversations with your family, friends, colleagues and loved ones, using my film as a resource for accurate information, as I have linked to a number of organizations on the site.
The second, for society, is to get in touch if you are an organization or a company who would like to host a screening. I am open to partnering with people who have the means to host a screening, whether big or small.
The third, for government folks, is to hold screenings with your fellow elected officials and your constituents. If you are claiming to be pro choice and telling voters that you support abortion rights, partner with me. I guarantee there are numerous voters in your constituency who have been through this experience and would be overjoyed to see their elected official standing up for abortion access, which is a human right.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why? Please share a story or example for each.
- You have to be the number one believer in your project. Don’t rely on anyone else’s passion or commitment to get you through. It has to start with you.
- Do you believe in what you are saying or doing? Is your passion and enthusiasm for this film genuine? Assess yourself along the way so you don’t lose sight of this.
- Don’t be afraid to constantly evaluate and reevaluate your priorities, or even pivot when you need to! It is normal for our perspectives and ideas to shift over the course of making a film, and by being honest with yourself you will have a much smoother process.
- Be open to change and hearing other ideas that could enhance your project. Sometimes we view our films as a deeply intimate part of ourselves, and that is so true. But if the purpose of making this film is to invite other people into your passion and mission to make an impact, it may require adding some sea salt to your caramel!
- Put the blinders on. As in, don’t compare yourself to other filmmakers. Everyone is on their own journey, and the more you look at what other people are doing, it can make you feel less worthy. Focus on your own journey and stay true to yourself.
If you could tell other young people one thing about why they should consider making a positive impact on our environment or society, like you, what would you tell them?
The world needs your voice now more than ever. There are so many opportunities to be heard and seen, thanks to social media, digital platforms and a number of various tiered streaming services. If there is an issue or a cause that strikes at your heart, find out how you can get involved and use your filmmaking skills to benefit the movement. Once you do decide to make a film, spend time researching the field, finding the experts, and looking for the right voices to elevate and align with. Any social impact film requires buy-in from a movement or various activists and leaders. It is important to cultivate long-term relationships to show that you are not just a voyeur, but a genuine advocate for the issue and will work alongside others to share a valuable and impactful message.
We are very blessed that many other Social Impact Heroes read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US, whom you would like to collaborate with, and why? He or she might see this. 🙂
I made SOMEONE YOU KNOW not just for social impact, but to honor abortion storytellers. At the end of my credits I include a short message, saying “This film is dedicated to abortion storytellers everywhere. Thank you for your courage in speaking truth to power.”
So I hope other people who have had later abortions will get the opportunity to watch my film and feel affirmed in their experience, knowing they are supported and loved.
I am also secretly (maybe not so secretly now!) wishing Chrissy Teigen and John Legend will watch the film. I’m trying various routes to get in touch with them. Sometimes, celebrities have enormous power to impact wider audiences, especially with a social impact cause. Chrissy experienced her own later abortion and publicly documented this on her Instagram account. At the time she didn’t speak much about abortion, but eventually she found the courage to speak boldly about the procedure she had, realizing that so many other folks have been in the same situation. By using the word abortion, and being candid about her own journey, she has undoubtedly given a lot of other people courage. I hope she watches my film, loves it, and shares it with other people she knows. I would also love for her to become an Executive Producer on the film, which can potentially help me secure wider distribution down the track after my film festival run is done.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
Be your own best advocate. I have spent far too long waiting for the proverbial “hero” to come along and give me that opportunity I so desperately wanted. This goes for personal relationships and in my professional life. There is no one else who is going to affirm your worth and value in the world more than you. It has to start with you. Because once you are firm about your worth, there is nothing else that anyone can say to shake your foundation. You will care less what others think. Instead you will be so confidence and secure knowing how you think about yourself, and how damn proud you are for what you have come through and what you are doing today. You are the hero you have been waiting for.
How can our readers follow you online?
You can learn more about my short film by visiting www.someoneyouknowdoc.com. You can also see more of my work at www.ashadahya.com. Follow me on Instagram and Twitter @ashadahya.
This was great, thank you so much for sharing your story and doing this with us. We wish you continued success!
Thank you!
Filmmakers Making A Social Impact: Why & How Filmmaker Asha Dahya Is Helping To Change Our World was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.