See women-led films that celebrate her beauty, determination, ingenuity, and many talents

March marks the one month in the year when women are celebrated for their courage and contributions to society. It’s also during this time when the call to action for gender equality is reinforced. But while change is still underway, it’s important to keep the fire and desire burning, not just among us women, but among everyone else. Here, a list of women-led films that celebrate her beauty, determination, ingenuity, and many talents, as well as her strengths and vulnerabilities:

Sitara: Let Girls Dream

Film trivia: “Waadi Animations was set up by me because I felt that our children in Pakistan did not have positive stories that made them see a reflection of themselves on the big screen.” —Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy, writer/director

In 70s Pakistan, 14-year-old girl Pari dreams of becoming a pilot. She spends her time crafting paper planes and following the life of Amelia Earhart. But norms and traditions keep her from achieving her aspirations.

Sitara is an animated short by Netflix that will hopefully encourage young girls and their families to allow them to dream and soar.

Now streaming on Netflix.

Lost Girls

Memorable quote: “No one’s talking about our girls and when they do, it’s prostitute, hooker. Never mother, daughter. It is our job to make sure these girls are not forgotten.” —Mari Gilbert

When 24-year-old Shannan Gilbert mysteriously disappears, her mother Mari (Amy Ryan) embarks on a journey that finds her confronting hard truths about her daughter, herself and society. She retraces Shannan's last known steps, leading her investigation to a gated community near the outer banks of Long Island. Her discoveries force police and the media to uncover more than a dozen unsolved murders of sex workers whose lives Mari will not let the world forget.

Lost Girls is inspired by Robert Kolker's best-selling nonfiction book of the same name. Catch it March 13 on Netflix.

Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker

Memorable quote: “I didn’t come here to make sandwiches. I came here to do business.” —Madam C.J. Walker

Never let anyone tell you, you can’t. Self Made is the true story of African American entrepreneur Madam C.J. Walker (Octavia Spencer), who built a black haircare empire that made her the first female self-made millionaire. Fantastical and uplifting, the four-part series tells the story of how she overcame racial and gender biases, betrayals and rivalries, and ultimately sparked change.

Break barriers, build your own empire, learn from Madam C.J. Walker. The limited series premieres March 20.

A Quiet Place: Part II

John Krasinki’s 2018 sleeper hit A Quiet Place returns and picks up where it left off: the Abbott family with Evelyn as the only surviving parent, her two kids and a newborn in tow. The practically silent film introduces us to the terrors of the outside world as Evelyn and her family realize that the creatures that hunt by sound are not the only creatures beyond the sand path.

Hang on to your seats, A Quiet Place: Part II premieres in theaters this March.

Mulan

Film trivia: Niki Caro is the second female director to be hired by Disney to direct a movie with a budget over $100 million after Ava DuVernay's A Wrinkle in Time

Another Disney classic gets a live-action remake: Mulan. But unlike the remakes we’ve seen, the plot will see some key elements change along the way. For one, the 2020 version will not have Mulan face off against the leader of the Hun Army or fall in love with Li Shang. Instead, she will be up against a powerful witch and find love with a fellow soldier. We also know that the movie will not be a full-fledged musical but we hope to at least hear favorites from our youth, like I'll Make a Man Out of You and Reflection.

Witness a retelling of herstory when Mulan hits theaters March 27.