Into Light — Inez Milholland leading a crowd

Soulfire Creations · Short Film · 2020

Into Light

California, 1916. Voting rights martyr Inez Milholland will stop at nothing to take the stage and rally support for women's right to vote — until a doctor reveals something she never saw coming.

Directed by Jessica Graham · Produced by Martine Melloul · Written by & starring Amy Walker

10 awards. Audiences united.

Berlin Shorts Award Best Cinematography — Oregon Short Film Festival Best Director — Nevada Film Festival HollyShorts — Official Selection Seattle Film Summit — Official Selection 10+ Festival Awards Total

A nine-minute true story about the woman who gave her life for the vote.

Inez Milholland was one of the first NAACP members, a lawyer who fought for equal civil and voting rights, and a tireless advocate who barnstormed the western states in the 1916 election year. She died at 30, after collapsing mid-speech: "Mr. President, how long must women wait for liberty?"

Into Light premiered on Women's Equality Day, August 26, 2020 — the centennial of the 19th Amendment — in partnership with the National Women's History Museum. Released at the height of the 2020 election, it became a catalyst for voter registration, reaching audiences across the country in a moment of profound civic urgency.

Distributed worldwide by Multicom Entertainment. Emmy-winning DP Sherri Kauk. Produced by Martine Melloul with nonprofit, women-owned Ishtar Films.

Director Jessica Graham
Writer & Lead Amy Walker as Inez Milholland
Producer Martine Melloul
Cinematography Sherri Kauk, ASC (Emmy Winner)
Distribution Multicom Entertainment
Partners Ishtar Films · National Women's History Museum & Alliance
Production Soulfire Creations · Kali Pictures

Stream it. Share it. Teach with it.

Bring Inez into your classroom.

Into Light is a nine-minute true story ideal for discussions about voting rights, women's history, and civic courage. If you're a teacher or educator interested in a free classroom screening, reach out — we want this story in as many classrooms as possible.

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Sovereignty Series — In Development

Our vision is for 5 women writers to collaborate on a series that brings to light the intersecting worlds of their ancestors — Indigenous, Mexican and Latiné, Chinese, African, and Colonial — centering the powerful women in each sector who have worked to bring equal rights to their people, and to all. May their stories inspire us to pick up the torch and continue that essential work.

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