Film: the smallest steps

What does it take to have a voice? What sustains people on the long road from fear and silence to courage and action? For women whose voices are often suppressed, the journey is full of challenges. Many quit along the way.

But in Ottawa, Ontario, two law students (Victoria & Jade) and two survivors of violence (Sheri & Ashley) have decided to take a stand and join the anti-violence movement. The only trouble is, they don’t know how to be activists.

In their homes and on the streets, the smallest steps follows these women as they take their first activist steps, protesting for equality in -40 Celsius weather, crafting briefs in support of amendments to the Divorce Act, and advocating for a National Action Plan for Gender Equality. Interwoven through their journeys, veteran activists share their struggles and successes, providing historical context and reminding us that ending violence against women is a challenge spanning generations.

Overall, the smallest steps is a story of how women find their voice, both as individuals and as a collective movement. Through an intergenerational glimpse of the courage and stamina required to be an anti-violence activist, this story teaches us that even the smallest steps to do what is right can lead to big change.

Filmed between 2018 and 2021 on unceded Algonquin Territory. Watch the trailer and learn more at: https://smalleststeps.ca/

Note: This purchase provides on-demand access to both the English and French versions of the film, the smallest steps for private viewing. If you are interested in hosting a non-private screening of this film, please contact:

Nicole Bedford
Co-Producer / Director
the smallest steps
vawdoc@gmail.com
NicoleBedfordFilms@gmail.com

You may also want to consider the on-demand film screening + panel discussion, Taking Action Against Gender-Based Violence available here.