About Us
Commercial storytelling with purpose
A collective of filmmakers, storytellers, and activists committed to reframing the dialogue around women's rights. Our mission is not just to create compelling narratives but to catalyze meaningful change through the power of film and community engagement.
We are The 49%
Why ‘The 49%’?
The name "The 49%" isn't just a catchy label; it's a stark reminder of the underrepresentation of nearly half the global population.
While women make up approximately 49% of the world's inhabitants, their stories often remain untold, their voices unheard, and their rights overlooked. We are here to challenge this imbalance and to give voice to this significant, yet often marginalized, segment of society.
Our Team
Paula Kweskin JD, LL.M
Founder & Director
Paula Kweskin is an award-winning documentary filmmaker, writer and human rights attorney. She believes in the power of media and arts to advocate for change.
Her films have been featured in several international film festivals and distributed on Netflix, Amazon, iTunes, DirecTV and Al-Hurra, among other international Platforms.
Paula is the former Founder and director of the Censored Women’s Film Festival, a festival which pushed the envelope in the cinematic portrayal of women’s rights and brought together dynamic activists and filmmakers from around the globe.
Paula grew up in Charlotte, NC and received a J.D. and B.A. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She holds and LL.M in Human Right and International Law from Hebrew University.
Dana Wilsey
COO
Dana Wilsey discovered her passion for women’s rights while volunteering at a hidden women’s shelter in the Guatemalan countryside. A graduate of Drexel University with a degree in International Studies: Human Rights & Justice, she began her role as the brand manager for the award-winning documentary film Honor Diaries. Produced by Paula Kweskin, this film was the catalyst for significant dialogue around global women’s rights abuses.
Dana served as the festival coordinator for the Censored Women’s Film Festival which she helped to shape and run, and went on to become the director of marketing for an international nonprofit organization that saves the lives of children from developing countries with cardiac disease. She now works at Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest after returning to the women’s rights and film arena as the COO of The 49%.
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