ALLOWED TO BIRTH — A Melbourne Community Screening

Join us for a special community screening of Allowed to Birth, a documentary following global midwife Kristine Lauria and her extraordinary work supporting women and physiological birth around the world.

More than a film screening, we wanted to create an afternoon for conversation, connection and curiosity around birth — the choices we make, the care we receive and the experiences that shape us.

We’re so honoured to be joined by Rhea Dempsey, renowned birth educator, counsellor and author, as one of our guest speakers. Rhea has spent decades supporting women and families through birth, and will bring her wisdom, experience and perspective to the conversation. She’ll also be sharing the newly revised edition of her book, Birth With Confidence.

Following the film, Sophie and Vanessa will host a conversation alongside a panel of guest speakers, bringing together different voices and perspectives from within the birth space. There’ll also be an opportunity for questions and open discussion.

Whether you’re expecting a baby, have given birth, work within the birth space or are simply curious about the conversation, we’d love you to join us.

Sunday 11 October 2026

1:30pm

Palace Church Street, Brighton

Doors open at 1.30pm, with the screening beginning at 2pm.

Tickets are limited. There is no allocated seating, so we encourage you to arrive early, find your seat and take a moment to settle in before we begin.

Babies in arms welcome

Proceeds from the event will be donated to charity, with further details to be announced.

Come for the film. Stay for the conversation.

Hosted by:

@sophievsaba

@philoxi.styling

Synopsis

Allowed to Birth: The Journey of a Global Midwife is a feature documentary that explores the growing medicalization of birth through the life and work of a dedicated midwife committed to protecting birth as a natural physiological process. Spanning cultures and continents, the film examines how modern maternity care has evolved, the consequences of routine medical intervention, and the efforts of birth professionals advocating for evidence-based, woman-centered care. Through intimate stories, expert perspectives, and real-life experiences, the documentary invites audiences to reconsider what it means to give birth with dignity, autonomy, and trust in the body's innate capacity. Ultimately, the film is both a personal journey and a broader exploration of the global movement to restore respectful, informed, and empowering birth.