Sharmill Films and Stranger Than Fiction are proud to share the official trailer for SILENCED, the critically acclaimed feature documentary making waves around the world. Billed as an “essential, galvanising watch” by Screen International, SILENCED follows the powerful fight of Australian human rights lawyer and free speech defender Jennifer Robinson against the weaponisation of defamation laws by alleged perpetrators to silence survivors and journalists.
SILENCED brings unrivalled access to the women and journalists at the centre of high-profile legal battles across the globe, including Brittany Higgins, Australian former political staffer, survivor and advocate against gender violence, Catalina Ruiz-Navarro, journalist and co-founder of the feminist magazine Volcánicas, and Amber Heard, Hollywood actor and advocate who found herself at the centre of one of the most high-profile defamation battles in recent history.
From award-winning director Selina Miles (Martha: A Picture Story, Harley & Katya) and Emmy-award winning producer Blayke Hoffman (Harley & Katya, Deeper) and Stranger Than Fiction (Mountain, River), SILENCED had its World Premiere earlier this year at Sundance where it received widespread critical acclaim, before screening as the Opening Night Film at the 2026 Sydney Film Festival to a standing ovation. The film was announced this week to screen at Melbourne International Film Festival as its Premiere With Purpose, a major gala position within the MIFF program dedicated to celebrating extraordinary social‑impact filmmaking and the power of cinema to spark change.
Silenced is a Stranger Than Fiction production for Sharmill Films. Major production investment from Screen Australia, in association with Minderoo Pictures and the ABC. Financed with support from Screen NSW, Shark Island Foundation and Soundfirm. Local distribution by Sharmill Films.