Film Screening Recap: Rule Breakers—The Story of Afghanistan’s Dream Team

April 28, 2025

On April 18, a hybrid event brought together faculty, and community members of American University and Afghanistan Law and Political Science Association (ALPA) for a powerful screening of Rule Breakers, a film based on the true story of the Afghan Girls Robotic Team, also known as the Dream Team. The film illustrates the journey of a group of determined Afghan girls who, despite societal restrictions, security threats, and limited resources, defied all odds to pursue their passion for science and robotics on the international stage and win multiple honors.

The screening was followed by a deeply moving and inspiring panel featuring Roya Mahboob and Elaha Mahboob, the visionary sisters and true-life heroes behind the success of the Dream Team. The discussion was moderated by Zainab Azizi, Acting Director of Reimagining Afghanistan Forum, who guided the conversation through themes of resistance, resilience, and the power of education and technology.

Roya and Elaha shared their personal experiences and the many barriers they overcame as women in tech in a male-dominated, conflict-ridden environment. They reflected not only on the making of the film, but also on the real-life emotions, risks, and victories that inspired it.

The conversation extended beyond the film’s narrative to the current situation of women and girls in Afghanistan, particularly under the Taliban regime. Both speakers emphasized the urgent need to protect educational access, digital inclusion, and basic human rights for Afghan women.

Importantly, they called upon the international community to act—not just with words, but with sustained commitment and support. "It is not enough to admire these girls," Elaha noted. "We must stand with them. We must keep creating pathways for them to thrive."

The screening and discussion left a lasting impact on the audience, sparking conversations on global feminism, narrative justice, and resilience. Here’s what some attendees had to say:

💬 "In many ways, especially to Roya, their pursuit of education is an act of protest… These girls aren’t just breaking rules—they’re rewriting them." – Samantha Lea

💬 "Here the audience can see where the pressures on women are—the value of learning an incredible skill, winning a competition, and proving to be innovative is placed below getting married and having children....Rule Breakers challenges misogyny and the monolithic Western understandings of women in Afghanistan through presenting a true story of a team of smart and determined women competing in robotics." – Fiona Canning

💬 "Western media often shows Muslim women only as helpless victims. The film gave a different view. The Afghan girls were brave, smart, and active. They were not waiting for someone to save them." – Yayue Huang

💬 "The Rule Breakers movie screening gave us viewers an opportunity to look into concepts of rebellion, self-discovery, and resistance against social standards. It was an engaging and interesting event." – Fatoumata Diallo

💬 "The movie gives valuable insight on what happens when progress is made, and that people will continue to make progress despite the hardships they face." – Eungbeen Kim