Naomi Watts And Halle Berry Sparked A Menopause Movement—Now a New Report Proves A Short Film Can Drive Global Change
When The M Factor film launched in late 2024, it didn't resemble a traditional health documentary or typical feature film. It was distinctly grassroots, with some interviews even filmed on iPhones by two former television journalists determined to tell stories like their own. Yet, powered by authentic storytelling and the star presence of advocates like Naomi Watts and Halle Berry, this short film has had an astounding impact on how the world talks about menopause.
Earlier this year, I wrote about how the film sparked a global wave of screenings and dialogue. Now, the newly released M Factor Global Impact Report shows just how far the movement has reached, and the scale of change it has achieved for women around the world.
A Short Film with a Huge Footprint
The film was screened in all 50 U.S. states and reached 159 major domestic markets. Internationally, it was shown in over 50 countries, including Ghana, the United Arab Emirates and Germany. One of its most notable milestones came in January 2025, when The M Factor was featured at the World Economic Forum in Davos, marking the first time menopause was addressed at that global policy platform.
'We were blown away by the response,' says Joanne LaMarca Mathisen, one of the film's producers and a former television executive with NBC's Today Show. 'The film has reached more women than we ever could have dreamed of. We knew women needed information, but we had no idea just how desperate and hungry they were for it - not just here in the states but all over the world.'
Despite its modest production roots, the film succeeded where decades of medical literature and advocacy campaigns have fallen short. It helped bring menopause into mainstream conversation and empowered women around the world to advocate for their health and wellbeing.
Tangible Impact for Women
According to the report, The M Factor generated substantial results among viewers:
Many women shared that the film helped them identify and validate years of symptoms they, or their doctors, had previously attributed to aging, stress or burnout. The narrative helped break longstanding silence, especially around early-stage symptoms such as brain fog, anxiety and sleep disturbances.
Educating Providers
But it didn't just impact women. Healthcare professionals were also significantly impacted by the film. More than 3,200 clinicians earned Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits after viewing the film. According to the report:
The film has since been incorporated into several medical school curricula and is used as a continuing education tool across specialties. It also helped prompt national policy conversations, including the first-ever U.S. Senate briefing on menopause, hosted by Senator Patty Murray.
'The results from the doctors, even those who self-identified as experts, meaning they had some menopause training, said the film increased provider confidence by 400%,' said Denise Pines, a partner at Women in the Room Productions and a producer of the film. 'It gave me confidence that storytelling can have actionable effects.'
Halle Berry
Transforming Perceptions of Hormone Therapy
One of the most notable findings in the report is the shift in women's understanding of hormone replacement therapy (HRT), a subject historically surrounded by fear, misinformation and outdated science.
Before watching the film, just 56% of respondents believed HRT was safe or effective. Many, particularly those in perimenopause, expressed concerns rooted in lingering fears from the 2002 Women's Health Initiative study and a lack of updated guidance from healthcare providers.
After viewing the film:
What Women Want Now
The impact report also identified the top resources and solutions women are seeking:
Importantly, the report highlights that perimenopause is the most critical yet often misunderstood stage. It's the phase where symptoms typically begin, but care is often delayed. In response, The M Factor producers have announced a follow-up film for Spring 2026, focused entirely on perimenopause.
'We do believe The M Factor helped start a global movement and that this is just the beginning,' says LaMarca Mathisen. 'It gave women permission to stand up for themselves and demand proper healthcare.'
The M Factor shows that a short, accessible film, grounded in data and real-world storytelling, can shift public perception, improve provider practices and inform health policy. With the new film on perimenopause coming in 2026, the film makers believe this is just the beginning as they reshape menopause care for women at every stage.
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