Three remarkable women from disparate worlds join forces to improve the lives of girls in Malawi, one of the poorest nations on earth. Lillian Weber is a volunteer in Iowa who resolves to sew 1,000 dresses for needy girls in Africa by her 100th birthday. Her mission aligns with a modern-day Christian missionary from Michigan who's devoted to improving the lives of girls in Africa and a revolutionary female African chief in Malawi who's determined to eradicate child marriages and help girls complete their education.
THE LITTLE DRESS: A JOURNEY OF HOPE is a social justice documentary about female solidarity. It's about one woman's remarkable vision, one amazing volunteer in the twilight of her life, one beautiful homemade dress, and the little girl in Malawi who receives it to help her on her life's journey.
DIRECTOR'S STATEMENT
My second feature as a director reflects my longstanding interest in the welfare of young women and girls in the developing world, and my fascination with the ancient craft of sewing.
My goal is to inspire a diverse world-wide audience by giving voice to under-served communities (such as individuals in the twilight of their lives), and to bring awareness to the disempowered status of girls in Malawi, who face an uphill battle to complete their education amidst impoverished circumstances.
My first documentary film, MEN OF THE CLOTH, which I produced and directed, is a heartfelt portrait of three Italian master tailors that was filmed over the course of eleven years. It had a sold-out world premiere at DOC NYC, the largest documentary film festival in America, and screened at festivals, cinemas, and museums around the world.