Film about Afghan girls' robotics club, panel set for Feb. 11 | Cornell Chronicle

"The film follows Afghan entrepreneur Roya Mahboob and her students as they defy entrenched gender barriers to form a robotics team in a setting where educating girls is often treated as an act of rebellion. As the team's innovation draws international attention, they encounter cultural resistance and serious threats yet continue their work with resilience and determination. The documentary explores themes of female empowerment, teamwork, and the transformative power of education."

"Cornell Cinema will present a screening of the documentary "Rule Breakers," chronicling the founding of Afghanistan's first all-girls robotics team, followed by a panel discussion and Q&A with the sisters at the center of the film. The event will be held Feb. 11 - coinciding with the International Day of Women and Girls in Science - and begins at 4:30 p.m. at Cornell Cinema , 104 Willard Straight Hall."

Cornell Cinema will screen the documentary "Rule Breakers" on Feb. 11 at 4:30 p.m. at Cornell Cinema, 104 Willard Straight Hall, coinciding with the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. The film follows Roya Mahboob and her students creating Afghanistan's first all-girls robotics team, confronting gender barriers, cultural resistance, and threats while persisting with resilience. The documentary highlights female empowerment, teamwork, and education's transformative power. Elaha Mahboob, M.P.A. '19, co-founded the team and served as executive producer and writer, and she and her sister helped lead evacuation efforts for Afghan girls and women during the 2021 Taliban takeover. The screening will be followed by a panel and audience Q&A with the sisters and Cornell faculty, moderated by Jaclyn Kelley-Widmer, and the sisters will also speak earlier that day at Myron Taylor Hall as part of the Berger International Speaker Series, moderated by Elizabeth Brundige.

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