World Premiere at SXSW 2024

On March 8 2024, International Women’s Day, AN ARMY OF WOMEN had its world premiere at SXSW, with the film team in attendance, including director Julie Lunde Lillesæter. Set against the backdrop of Austin, Texas, where the documentary unfolds, SXSW served as a fitting stage for audiences to delve into the remarkable strength, resilience, and bravery of the women featured in the film.

In AN ARMY OF WOMEN, Amy, Marina and Hanna’s rape cases are dismissed by the Austin police, and all three women try to find a way to rebuild their lives. They join forces with twelve other women in a ground-breaking federal class-action lawsuit, the first to argue that sexual assault isn’t prosecuted because it’s a crime that predominantly affects women. The group is determined to hold police and prosecutors accountable for their inaction, but their resilience is tested as they face setbacks from the system they hope to change.

This film truly proves you can fight the system and win. This is the first time in US history that a lawsuit of this kind has ever been won, resulting in a settlement of millions of dollars of investment for systemic and lasting reform toward the handling of sexual assault in Austin. The film offers a hopeful look into a movement that aims to change the future for women everywhere.

As the credits rolled, the audience erupted into a moving standing ovation, honouring not only the film team but also the plaintiffs and their lawyers who joined them on stage for a captivating Q&A session.