Introduction:
She Walks a Line is a gripping documentary that reveals the harrowing journey of thousands of young Nepali women and girls coerced across the border into India each year. Many are sold
into the sex industry, forced into servitude, or subjected to organ harvesting along one of the world’s most prolific human trafficking routes.
Amid international indifference, Shanta Sapkota, a courageous Nepali woman, has drawn a line in the sand. She leads a team of female anti-trafficking operatives at a critical checkpoint. This female-led film captures the emotional battles and triumphs in the fight for justice, igniting a movement against human trafficking.
Inspiration:
Human trafficking is one of the most urgent issues of our time and the fastest-growing form of organised crime. By placing myself on the ground along one of the world’s most prolific
trafficking corridors and working directly with anti-trafficking teams, I set out to capture the stark, daily battles faced by those striving to rescue victims before it is too late. More importantly, I wanted to amplify the voices of marginalised young women and children whose suffering often goes unseen and unheard.
My vision was to bring this untold story to light—revealing the true scale of the crisis and the horrific realities endured by its victims—while creating a film that does more than inform. I wanted it to engage, unsettle, and ultimately empower audiences to demand meaningful, lasting change.
The Process:
I spent over three weeks in Nepal, working along the western border with India—a remote region where travel is challenging and security extremely tight. While the Nepali government permitted filming, the Indian authorities were highly sensitive about the border, requiring me to work with utmost discretion. Operating on a tiny budget, I chose to self-shoot the film, often using long lenses to capture action without interfering with anti-trafficking or border security teams. Cultural sensitivities shaped much of my approach, and I took care not to intimidate or influence the female contributors in the film, mindful of the patriarchal society I was navigating.
Filming in a foreign language presented unique challenges. Not speaking Nepali meant I sometimes shot “blind,” only gaining certainty once the footage was translated and transcribed in the UK. This leap of faith is often necessary to capture authentic, unfolding moments in real time.
As a maverick filmmaker, I thrive on working independently. With just a camera and an editing suite, I can fully immerse myself in the situation, capturing genuine moments without the constraints of bureaucracy, political agendas, or performative exercises, ensuring the story remains authentic and uncompromised.
What It Means to Be a Finalist:
The journey of She Walks a Line has been incredibly encouraging, with screenings across the country and abroad. A nomination is especially meaningful, as it helps raise awareness of the urgent issues the film addresses. My hope is that it inspires audiences to watch, be moved, and learn more about this crisis. Being nominated in Worcester makes it even more special—this has been my home for 35 years, so to share this recognition with friends and family is truly memorable.
Where to Watch / Follow:
She Walks a Line will screen at global festivals through 2025, including an Academy Award– qualifying event in October. I hope it secures a distributor for worldwide streaming, while a
broadcaster is also reviewing it for possible transmission.
You can follow my journey for updates on She Walks a Line.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shewalksaline/
Website: https://shewalksaline.com/
If this film has moved you, don’t let it end here. Join the fight against human trafficking by visiting the global organisation that funds Shata’s vision.
https://www.destinyrescue.org.uk/
Together, they’ve expanded her lifesaving work from three interception checkpoints to twenty-five—saving thousands of vulnerable lives along the India–Nepal border. Your action today can help write the next chapter