Adwoa Yamoah

Every year women apply to compete in Miss Universe, subjecting themselves to being judged on their looks, dress, poise, and presentation. Through unprecedented access and first-hand accounts, filmmaker and former Miss Universe Canada Elena Semikina takes us beyond the stereotypes and clichés, showing the pageant as a vehicle for empowering women, humanitarian outreach, and for one contestant - even social reform. Miss Universe Canada drew world-headlines after Jenna Talackova was denied the right to compete for not being a 'naturally born female'. Donald Trump revised the Miss Universe rulebook and Jenna became the first transgender woman to compete in any Miss Universe pageant. Behind The Dress introduces us to the contestants of Miss Universe Canada who are more than fighting for a crown, these are women on a mission, not for a prize, but for a voice.

Miss Universe is an annual international beauty pageant that is run by the United States-based Miss Universe Organization. The contest is the largest pageant in the world in terms of live TV coverage, airing yearly in more than 190 countries worldwide to an audience of over 2.5 billion people. Along with Miss World, Miss International, and Miss Earth, Miss Universe is one of the Big Four international beauty pageants. The Miss Universe Organization and its brand, along with Miss USA and Miss Teen USA, are currently owned by the WME/IMG talent agency.