National Women’s Political Caucus Pasadena to Screen Award-Winning Short Film Addressing Abortion Legislation Impact

The National Women’s Political Caucus (NWPC) Greater Pasadena Area, in collaboration with Planned Parenthood Advocates of Pasadena and San Gabriel Valley, announced a special screening of the award-winning short film, “The Visit,” written and produced by Hoyt Hilsman and directed by Bernadette Armstrong, will be during its chapter meeting on Thursday, Nov. 16, starting at 6 p.m. 

“The Visit” explores the poignant narrative of a young African American housewife who faces scrutiny from local social services after experiencing a miscarriage in a state where abortion is banned. The film sheds light on the tragic consequences of anti-abortion legislation through the lens of one woman’s harrowing experience.

Premiering at the National Women’s Political Caucus national convention in August, the 20-minute film has since garnered acclaim, receiving awards at esteemed festivals, including the Cannes Continental Film Festival and the short film festivals in Paris, Rome, Melbourne, and Brooklyn. 

The screening event will include a panel discussion following the film. Although admission is free, advanced reservations are required. The event location will be disclosed only upon registration.

Hoyt Hilsman is a highly regarded playwright, screenwriter, and journalist with an extensive portfolio, including screenplays for Disney, Sony, New Line, ABC, and NBC. Hilsman’s work has been recognized with numerous awards, and he has contributed to national media outlets such as The Huffington Post and Daily Variety. He has also served on the Board of Trustees of Pasadena City College and is playwright-in-residence  at Parson’s Nose Theater in Old Pasadena. 

Bernadette Armstrong, the film’s director, entered the Los Angeles film scene in the late 1990s. After a hiatus, she returned to the world of storytelling through the Open Door Playhouse, a venture she founded during the pandemic to produce monthly podcasts of new plays.

The NWPC Greater Pasadena is a multi-partisan grassroots organization dedicated to enhancing women’s participation in the political process across the greater Pasadena area. Covering regions like Pasadena, Altadena, Glendale, Sierra Madre, and La Cañada, the organization actively recruits, trains, and supports pro-choice women candidates for various levels of government offices. 

Beyond financial support and endorsements, NWPC Greater Pasadena provides campaign training and hands-on volunteer assistance to candidates and organizers.

For more information and to reserve a spot for the screening, visit www.nwpcgpa.org/upcoming-events/nwpc-greater-pasadena-area-chapter-meeting.