Alliance Française San Diego is hosting a free evening of film and dialogue as part of the international Night of Ideas 2026, and it’s worth blocking off your calendar for this one.
The global event, initiated by the Institut Français, is centering its San Diego programming on amplifying the voices of francophone women and their role in shaping social change.
The night includes a screening of the award-winning film Defenders of Life, followed by a panel discussion and book signing with filmmaker Dana Ziyasheva.
A Film That Sparked Real-World Change
Defenders of Life is a powerful drama that examines the collision between ancestral traditions and modern human rights. Set in the hills of Costa Rica, the film follows a young girl caught between tribal customs and the forces of change.
The narrative helped spur actual legislation banning child marriage in Costa Rica, which is about as significant an impact as a film can have. It received the Best Foreign Feature Film Award at the Burbank International Film Festival and is presented in English and Spanish with English subtitles.
Panel Discussion with the Filmmaker and a UC San Diego Expert
After the screening, Dana Ziyasheva joins Janine Young, MD, a pediatric physician and professor at UC San Diego, for a panel conversation exploring the intersections of tradition, development, public health, and the transformative power of art in advancing social change.
Young’s work focuses on immigrant and refugee health and culturally specific practices, making her perspective especially relevant to the film’s themes. The discussion will be followed by an audience Q&A, giving attendees a chance to dig deeper into the issues raised.
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Book Signing with Dana Ziyasheva
The evening wraps up with a book signing celebrating Ziyasheva’s debut novel Choc (2023), which continues her long-standing engagement with human rights and humanitarian issues. It’s a rare opportunity to meet a filmmaker and author whose work has had tangible real-world impact.
RSVP Required
The event is free and open to the public, but you need to RSVP in advance. Walk-ins are subject to availability, so it’s worth securing your spot ahead of time if you’re interested in attending.
See you there!
Night of Ideas offers the kind of evening that reminds us why film and conversation still matter when it comes to shaping how we think about the world.
📆 Thursday, February 26, 6 PM (screening begins) | Panel at 8 PM | Book signing at 9 PM
🎟️ Free with RSVP here (walk-ins subject to availability)
ℹ️ More info here
See you there, San Diego!