EMBRACE (2016) is a social impact documentary that inspires us to change the way we feel about ourselves and think about our bodies. Released in 2016, this film continues to be relevant, relatable – and life-changing.
Nominated for the Documentary Australia Foundation Award for Best Documentary, EMBRACE has been seen by millions of people across the world and has created a ripple of positive change.
EMBRACE KIDS (2020) is a follow-on for the next generation. The film, which brings together a vibrant collection of stories from young people and famous friends alike, focuses on turning around the epidemic of body hate and negativity our young people are experiencing.
In 2023 we’re sharing the EMBRACE KIDS film as a free resource for all Primary and Secondary schools across Australia through the Embrace Kids Classroom Program. LEARN MORE HERE.
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Behind The Scenes
With Turia Pitt
Turia Pitt is living proof that with the right perspective and positive mindset, anything is possible. She has a special place in our hearts.
With Mia Freedman
Mia Freedman offers her unique insight into photoshopping and social media, working as the editor of Cosmopolitan.
With Nora Tschirner
Nora Tschirner (AKA Cat) is a German film actress and has supported Embrace since the beginning. Enjoy her funny antics with Taryn.
With Dr Linda Bacon
Dr Linda Bacon is a professor, researcher, acclaimed international speaker, author and leader of the Health at Every Size movement.
With Lea
Lea shares her personal journey of self-love. Being scared to leave the house at her lowest point, Lea learned to tune out the negative voices.
Free Hugs
While filming Embrace, Taryn experienced severe homesickness. She combatted this the only way she knew how – with human connection.
With Nathalia Novaes
Nathalia shares some of her stories and experiences with body image in relation to her modelling career and personal life.
The Marathon
After crossing the finish line of a marathon, Taryn reflects on how amazing her body is, the same body she hated for so long.
Kickstarter
8909 people from across the world believed that we could, so we did.
Taryn asked people from all walks of life to get behind her little old film trailer. Result: they did (and then some). Our supporters raised an incredible $200,000 in just 12 days. Within 60 days, we’d raised $331,000 to become Australia’s most successful crowd-funded documentary in history.
Our community came together in myriad ways across the globe, from university professors in New York City to dinner parties in Scotland and body-painting events in Germany. To say we were blown away by the response would be the understatement of the century.
Director’s Statement
“The inspiration for Embrace came about in 2013, after I posted an unconventional before-and-after photo that sparked an international media frenzy. The image, which embraces body diversity, was seen by more than 100 million people worldwide and led to hundreds of interviews and articles. However, I soon realised how restrictive four-minute TV interviews, 800-word articles and 140 characters on Twitter can be. This issue needed a louder voice on a bigger platform, so the idea of creating the documentary was born.”
Taryn Brumfitt
Director of Embrace
Founder of the Body Image Movement
Embrace Timeline
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May 2013
Taryn’s non-traditional before-and-after photo goes viral on social media and is seen by more than 100 million people. Taryn spends the next year speaking to every major news outlet across the world.
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May 2014
Taryn launches a Kickstarter campaign to raise $200,000 to make Embrace the documentary. The Kickstarter campaign trailer goes viral too, with more than 8 million views in 15 days. Ashton Kutcher, Rosie O’Donnell and Ricki Lake ‘back’ the Embrace Kickstarter campaign. Ashton Kutcher writes, “This is good for the world” about Taryn’s story.
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July 2014
The Kickstarter campaign raises $331,000 and becomes Australia’s most successful crowdfunded campaign in history. Embrace the documentary would not have been possible without the support of 8909 generous people around the world.
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October 2015
Taryn runs a marathon to prove the trolls and fat shamers wrong! Taryn spends very little time on trolls but when she crosses the finish line, she dedicates her efforts to them. We hope that Embrace the documentary opens their eyes to more tolerance, acceptance, kindness and love.
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June 2016
Embrace the documentary premieres at the Sydney Film Festival and is invited to screen at the New Zealand International Film Festival.
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August 2016
Embrace receives 5 stars from Empire magazine. Celebrities across the globe continue to support the documentary and the Body Image Movement, with Olivia Newton-John saying, “I loved Embrace, I cried so much.”
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September 2016
A screening of Embrace is hosted by Natasha Stott Despoja and Joe Hockey at the Australian Embassy in Washington DC.
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February 2017
Embrace reaches #1 on iTunes in Canada and the US following the success of the Girls’ Night In and Race To Embrace campaigns.
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February 2017
Embrace opens in cinemas in Germany with 52,000+ attendees on opening night. It hits #1 at the box office, beating Guardians of the Galaxy and King Arthur.
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June 2018
Fundraising for the Embrace Kids documentary commences. Created for children aged 8-12, the film will explore the relationship children have with their bodies, why so many young people hate their bodies and what we can do about it.
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September 2018
Embrace is released on iTunes in the UK and goes to the #1 spot within five days.
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December 2018
Embrace becomes one of the most successful documentaries in Australian history, generating more than $4 million in revenue globally.
Stats from the Film
1500
+
A recent joint study of more than 1500 adult women around the world by Flinders and Victoria Universities has proven the social impact of the Embrace documentary, finding that viewing the film changes women’s lives for the better.
Women who had seen Embrace had much higher body appreciation and lower levels of body shame, self-objectification and dieting. They were less likely to treat their body as an object and less likely to believe that they should be thin or be ashamed of their body.
7.2
%
The film was more effective in changing people’s perceptions than traditional means of education that lasted four to six hours. These methods would usually result in a 1-2% improvement, whereas Embrace was associated with a much larger improvement of 7.2%.
About the professors
Dr Zali Yager
Dr Zali Yager is an Associate Professor at Victoria University in Melbourne, Australia. Zali has an international research reputation for her expertise in the promotion of positive body image in school settings, including evaluation of programs and content, and teacher education.
Dr Ivanka Prichard
Dr Ivanka Prichard is a Senior Lecturer at Flinders University in Adelaide, Australia. She has a PhD in Psychology, and her research focuses on promoting positive body image and encouraging healthy lifestyle behaviours (i.e. a healthy diet and exercise) in all age groups. In particular, Ivanka has expertise in the influence of media on body image.
The Program
Embrace You is a 4-week online program to teach you ‘how to’ embrace your body. No diets or weight loss programs, just unconditional love for your body right now! Every week you’ll gain practical strategies from Taryn and her experts. Thousands of women have transformed their lives with the help of Embrace You.
Learn More
Study Guide
Body image is one of the biggest personal concerns for Australian girls and boys aged between 16 and 19. But… it doesn’t have to be this way. The Embrace Education Study Guide Australia is creating huge positive impact in schools across the country. Get the guide for your classroom today.
Learn More
Embrace Kids
Embrace Kids is the next step in our Embrace journey. Created for children aged 8-12, this life changing film will explore the relationship children have with their bodies, why so many boys and girls hate their bodies and what we can do about it. Imagine solving the global epidemic of body hate. You can be part of this solution.
Learn More
Testimonials
This is good for the world.
I have long admired Taryn’s total acceptance of her body. We can all learn from her!
Just so so imperative for girls and women everywhere.
I’ve watched this film. It’s extraordinary. It’s a brilliant film.
Embrace is a compelling, inspiring viewing experience that is in no short supply of joy and triumph. 5 STARS
I wholeheartedly embrace what Taryn is doing to inspire women.
Brilliant, inspiring and mind changing. Take your daughters, your sons, your mum, your sister, your friends.
A stirring and highly entertaining film celebrating self-acceptance.
I want every woman in the world to see Embrace.
