Fresh off U.S. premiere at SBIFF, “Pandora’s Box” hopes to tackle the stigma surrounding menstruation

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - One of the documentaries premiering at this year's Santa Barbara International Film Festival is focusing on a traditionally taboo subject.

"Pandora's Box: Lifting the Lid on Menstruation" is hoping to address and end the stigma surrounding menstruation.

The filmmakers traveled to four different continents to speak with those who menstruate. Some people featured in the film don't have the supplies to manage their periods, and some even have to miss school or drop out.

The filmmakers hope the film inspires donations of those supplies to local shelters and starts a more open conversation about menstruation. They say the issue is not a women’s issue, but a gender equality issue.

“It’s all about empowering and changing the conversation and normalizing menstruation,” executive producer Carinne Chambers-Saini said.

“I think the film’s gonna surprise a lot of people,” director Rebecca Snow added. “I think the film’s going to infuriate a lot of people. And inspire a lot of people to get involved in working out how we can have a more equitable society for people who menstruate.”

The film had its U.S. premiere on Thursday but has another screening at the Fiesta Five Theatre in Santa Barbara at 1:20 p.m on Sunday.