A one-night screening of Allowed to Birth: The Journey of a Global Midwife, at the Electric Palace Cinema in Hastings Old Town.

Directed by Jacinta Lagos, this documentary travels across cultures and continents to explore how childbirth has become increasingly shaped by systems of control, risk and intervention, and what that means for the growing maternal health crisis. It asks whether modern obstetric practice, while often lifesaving, has in some cases distanced mothers and babies from safer, more holistic care.

At its heart is the work of midwife and educator Kristine Lauria, whose approach is grounded in respect, physiology and evidence-based care. Her work reimagines what birth can look like when autonomy, trust and continuity of care come first.

Who is the screening for?

Anyone curious about how we bring life into the world, anyone who is pregnant or planning a family, doulas, midwives, student midwives, and antenatal teachers.

This is a not-for-profit event.

Ticket sales go towards hiring the cinema, the film’s screening licence fee and Eventbrite’s booking fees. We appreciate the ticket price is on the higher side. The event organiser has subsidised the cost to keep ticket prices under £20. Thank you for helping us bring this film to Hastings!

On the night

Doors 7:00pm, film 7:30pm

Approx 1 hour

Q&A discussion (TBC)

Refreshments / bar at the cinema

Content note

This film is not suitable for children under 13. It contains discussion of sexual abuse and includes mild nudity in the context of childbirth and human anatomy.

Tickets are non-refundable unless the event is cancelled or rescheduled. You’re welcome to transfer your ticket to a friend or colleague.

Description supplied by the event organiser.