Genre
Synopsis
SHE DARED TO DREAM: AYANNA PRESSLEY offers a powerful and timely portrait of Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, one of the most courageous, principled, and visionary voices in American politics. The film captures her unwavering fight for justice, from her early days as a Boston City Council member to her current role as a bold legislator leading the charge against extremist efforts like Project 2025. As the first Black woman elected to Congress from Massachusetts, Pressley has never waited for permission to speak up or take action—she has consistently challenged systemic inequity with clarity, compassion, and conviction. Directed by Abby Ginzberg (NAACP Image Award Winner for Barbara Lee: Speaking Truth to Power and produced by Sabrina Schmidt Gordon (To the End, Seeds), the film reflects the urgency of this political moment and the need to spotlight women who are not just breaking glass ceilings, but reimagining the institutions themselves. Pressley’s work to expand access to abortion, defend Black maternal health, and protect vulnerable communities is part of a broader vision for justice, one rooted in lived experience and community power.
Bio
Abby Ginzberg, a Peabody award-winning director, member of the Documentary Branch of AMPAS and EMMY® Silver Circle inductee has been producing compelling documentaries about race and social justice for over 35 years.
Labors of Love: The Life and Legacy of Henrietta Szold is Abby’s latest film which delves in to the remarkable life of Henrietta Szold, was a key figure in establishing healthcare in Palestine as well the administrator of Youth Aliyah which saved the lives of over 10,000 German Jewish youth. It premiered at the 2025 San Francisco Jewish Film Festival where it won the Audience Award for Best Documentary.
She Dared to Dream: Ayanna Pressley profiles Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (D-MA). it won the 2025 award for Best Short Documentary at the Harlem International Film Festival.
Her film, Barbara Lee: Speaking Truth to Power, won the 2022 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Documentary and is available on Amazon Prime. Shaking It Up: The Life and Times of Liz Carpenter (co-directed with Christy Carpenter) premiered at SXSW in March, 2024.
Her short film, Judging Juries, (2024) has won 4 short film awards and was chosen as a 2025 Honoree by the Webby Awards.
Abby directed and produced Soft Vengeance: Albie Sachs and the New South Africa, which won a Peabody award and 4 best documentary awards.
Abby was the Consulting Producer on The Barber of Birmingham, which premiered at Sundance in 2011 and was nominated for an Oscar® in the Short Doc category in 2012.
Screening History
World Premiere - Martha's Vineyard African American Film Festival, Aug. 2025
Credits
Director/Producer-Abby Ginzberg
Editor-Stephanie Mechura
Producer-Sabrina Schmidt Gordon
Cast member-Rep. Ayanna Pressley
Cast members-Rep. Maxine Waters; Rep. Lateefah Simon; Rep. Jim McGovern
