Innocent Voice is a narrative short film written by Victoria Unikel that unfolds through a single phone call between two incarcerated women. Using an innovative split-screen format, the film follows Jane — a 40-year-old former model imprisoned for killing her rapist in self-defense — and Nikki — a 31-year-old African American mother wrongfully convicted and facing the death penalty.
Through their raw, unguarded conversation, the film peels back layers of privilege, poverty, faith, trauma, and survival. Jane's story reveals the hidden violence of the modeling industry and a justice system that punishes victims. Nikki's story illuminates systemic racial bias, wrongful conviction, and the strength of maternal love under impossible circumstances.
Themes
The film sits at the intersection of several urgent social issues: wrongful conviction and criminal justice reform, gender-based violence and sexual assault, racial injustice and systemic inequality, LGBTQ+ identity and discrimination, sex trafficking and exploitation, HIV stigma.
Recognition & Registration
The screenplay is registered with the Library of Congress (Registration #1-8781690301) and the Writers Guild of America (WGA #2052348). The project has received support from the California Innocence Project, one of the leading wrongful conviction organizations in the United States.
Music
The film features an original song by Moby as the closing track, with rights secured for use in the film. The music underscores the emotional weight of the story and elevates the film's impact.
Impact Goals
Innocent Voice aims to spark national conversation about criminal justice reform, amplify voices of wrongfully convicted individuals, and advocate for legislative change. The foundation plans educational screenings, panel discussions with criminal justice reform organizations — including the California Innocence Project — and community engagement campaigns alongside the film's release.