Sacred Hearts Academy will hold a screening of the new groundbreaking film, “Girl Rising,” directed by Academy Award nominee Richard Robbins. The film tells the story of nine girls fighting for their right to an education in nine countries from Haiti to Nepal in a global campaign to educate and empower girls.

The film was created by 10 x 10 Film and narrated by nine actors including Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Selena Gomez, Salma Hayek, Cate Blanchett and Priyanka Chopra. It was filmed by the Intel Corporation and CNN films and produced by former ABC news journalists and Vulcan Productions.

In “The Phoenix,” Sokha from Cambodia finds her way to school after years of struggles due to being orphaned at a young age and forced to scramble through garbage to survive. Through education, she has become an amazing student with a bright future.

From India, Ruksana, “the dreamer,” is able to go to school because of her father’s sacrifices for his daughters’ education. Though she faces danger, she finds comfort in art and in her father.

In “The Emancipated,” Suma from Nepal was forced into bonded labor at the age of six. She wrote songs to help her endure the long years of sorrow but finally had a glimpse of freedom when she learned to read. She uses this freedom to help fight for the right to an education for all girls.

In “The Defender,” young Yasmin from Egypt tells the story of how she was the victim of a violent attack by an older man but still triumphed through it all.

In “The Warrior,” Sena from Peru tells her story of how she was able to go to school because of her father and how she discovered the power of poetry. With her passion and talent for poetry, she hopes to ensure her bright future.

“The Courageous” Azema from Ethiopia stands up for her rights when she denies her arranged marriage. With her brother’s help, she hopes to be educated and finally free.

Amina, a child bride from Afghanistan, is restrained by her culture and society because of her gender, but she wishes to stand up against these obstacles in “The Hopeful.”

“The Undaunted” Wadley from Haiti tells her story of how she returns to school every day since Haiti’s devastating earthquake and demands to be educated even though she is turned away from the school each day.

“The Catalyst” Mariam from Sierra Leone has big dreams for her future. She is also the voice of her war-torn country as a leader in her school community and as the operator of her own radio show.

Sacred Hearts Academy will be showing this film to students in grades seven to 12.

“As an all-girls school, it is important for us to understand what life is life for girls in other places. As girls, we would have a greater understanding of what it is like be a young girl who dreams about her future and can be more empathetic to their difficulties,” said Director of Special Events, Toni Normand.

The Academy hopes that students will gain a more global perspective

about what life is like for girls in underdeveloped areas or repressive regimes and they will be able to appreciate the opportunities that are sometimes taken granted.

Normand said, “Perhaps the film will inspire us to think of ways to use our talents or voices in support of others.”

“First, I was excited to be missing class, but after finding out what ‘Girl Rising’ is about, I am interested and looking forward to seeing the film that advocates for education for girls,” said junior Christine Nguyen.

The Academy will also have a special showing for adults in the community the evening of March 7.