"Rule Breakers" premieres in U.S., showcasing Afghan girls’ robotics team’s triumph

The feature film Rule Breakers, which tells the inspiring story of Afghanistan’s all-girls robotics team, the "Afghan Dreamers," premiered in U.S. theaters on March 7.

Directed by Oscar-winner Bill Guttentag and produced by Angel Studios, the film highlights the team’s fight against societal restrictions and their pursuit of success in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).

The story follows four team members who, despite immense challenges, achieved success in international competitions.

Roya Mahboob, entrepreneur and founder of the team, shared on Facebook that the film focuses on hope, resilience, and the strength of young Afghan women who have defied limitations to follow their dreams.

According to Mahboob, Rule Breakers reflects a time in Afghanistan when women could dream and inspire others.

Afghan singer Aryana Sayeed announced that she recorded the song "We Believe in Hope" for the film, dedicating it to all women and girls fighting for their rights.

Founded in 2017 in Herat, the Afghan girls’ robotics team gained international recognition, winning multiple awards. After the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, the team members were forced to flee and have since continued their work in the U.S., Canada, and Qatar.