Paula Kweskin in black leather jacket speaking into a microphone at a social event with people in the background.

Women’s Storytelling is an act of Courage.

- Paula Kweskin

Paula Kweskin in a blue dress speaking during an event, gesturing with her hands.

Human Rights Attorney

Filmmaker & Storyteller

Feminist

Paula Kweskin, J.D., LL.M

Paula Kweskin wearing a red sweater against a gray background.

Paula Kweskin is an award-winning documentary filmmaker, writer and human rights attorney.

She believes in the power of media and the arts to advocate for change.

Paula is the founder and director of the international women's rights non-profit, The 49%, an organization whose mission is to produce and curate films and experiences that focus on the world’s most urgent women’s rights stories.

Partners

Logo of "Chime for Change" founded by Gucci with gradient letters on a white background.
"The Meteor" logo with bold black text on a white background.
Logo of Matter Unlimited with a stylized "M" and text in yellow and gray.
Logo of the Muslim American Leadership Alliance featuring the acronym MALA with stars above the 'A's.
Sweden's coat of arms and text "Consulate General of Sweden, Jerusalem."
Graphic with Israeli flag inside a blue speech bubble above the word 'Canada' with a small Canadian flag next to it.
Logo with a stylized 'Z' over a green circle and the text 'muslims facing tomorrow'.
King's College London logo in white text on red background.
Logo of USC School of Cinematic Arts featuring the text "USC School of Cinematic Arts" with "USC" in red and the rest in black.
Green text logo of "data.org" on a white background.
Logo with Hebrew text "סינמטק ירושלים - ארכיון ישראלי לסרטים"
Logo of Kiverstein Institute with abstract line art dove in purple

Featured

  • Lobby area with a poster for "The 49% Film Fest" at the USC School of Cinematic Arts, featuring event details, and a table with a banner for the school and balloons.

    Jewish Filmmaker Paula Kweskin Uses Storytelling to Give Voice to Oppressed Women​

    Through her nonprofit media company, The 49%, Paula Kweskin employs storytelling to advocate for women's rights, shedding light on issues like honor violence and forced marriage.

    Read More
  • Paula Kweskin in leather jacket sitting and speaking into a microphone

    From Navalny to Gaza: Human Rights Activists Need to Connect the Dots

    Paula Kweskin emphasizes the need for global activists to address the interconnectedness of oppressive regimes and their impact on human rights.

    Read More
  • Taylor Swift performing on stage with purple lighting, wearing a light-colored dress.

    Expecting Too Much from Taylor Swift? The Downside of Celebrity Advocacy​​

    Paula Kweskin reflects on the complexities of celebrity involvement in advocacy, emphasizing the need for genuine understanding and action beyond public endorsements.

    Read More

Paula is the founder & CEO at The 49%

The 49 Percent logo on merchandise

The 49%, is a non-profit dedicated to telling women's stories and pushing for real change. With a focus on film and digital storytelling, The 49% creates powerful documentaries and short films that bring attention to global women’s rights issues. The company also runs film festivals, summits, and advocacy campaigns to turn conversations into action. By amplifying voices that often go unheard, The 49% is reshaping the way the world sees and supports women.

FILMS

Paula’s body of work includes films, documentaries, short films and brand collaborations.

Follow Paula on substack

Finding the gray in a world of black and white, especially as it relates to culture, society, politics, and feminism.