The Forbidden Call: Women Priests (aka Femmes prêtres, vocations interdites)

Synopsis

This film follows a group of free-spirited, courageous, and inspired women who feel a deep calling to serve as Catholic priests. Despite their unwavering faith and dedication, they face a rigid barrier: the Church’s refusal to recognize their vocation. Determined to understand why, these women embark on a bold investigation into the heart of the Vatican, one of the last strongholds of institutionalized misogyny, challenging centuries of tradition to uncover the reasons behind this powerful and persistent prohibition.

Festivals & Awards

FIPADOC

𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐱 𝐒𝐩𝐞́𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐝𝐮 𝐉𝐮𝐫𝐲 – 𝐅𝐢𝐥𝐦 𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐜 𝐥’𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐥𝐞 𝐩𝐥𝐮𝐬 𝐩𝐮𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐭 (Millenium Film Festival)

Nomination Prix Europa 2025

Credits

Writer & Director
Marie Mandy
Producers
Hanne Phlypo & Victor Ede
Director of cinematography
Patrice Michaux
Joachim Philippe
Charlote Marchal
Editing
Geert Veuskens
Neel Cockx
Original Music
Hélène Blazy

Partners

ARTE  (Catherine Le Goff)

RTBF (Isabelle Christiaens)

VRT/CANVAS (Simon Vrebos)

Centre du cinéma de la Fédération Wallonie Bruxelles

Flanders Audiovisual Fund

Shelter Prod

Creative Europe TV Programming

Creative Europe Single Development

CNC