Dove short film explores how social media can help debunk unrealistic beauty standards

Social media is buzzing today after the release of a new campaign by Dove that sends the message that women can challenge unrealistic beauty standards seen in magazines and movies by posting proud selfies on social media.

The short film, debuting Monday at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival, shows mothers and daughters discussing their beauty insecurities and then launches into an exploration of how posting selfies online can give them power.

"You have the power to change and redefine what beauty is," says female photographer Michael Crook in the video. "It's right at your finger tips. We can take selfies."

The film chronicles Crook as she takes a group of teenage girls at Monument Mountain Region High School in Great Barrington, Massachusetts through a class photography project.

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The girls and their mothers are asked to take selfies highlighting the features they dislike the most about themselves.

"I think my mom's insecurities affect me a lot," says one teen girl. "When you hear her talk about her insecurities, you start to focus on your own."

Dove's own research reveals that 63 per cent of women believe social media is influencing today's definition of beauty more than print media, film and music.

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The girls and their mothers then attend an event where all their self-portraits are blown up and posted on walls for everyone to see.

"I was surprised by some of the girls insecurities," says one teen. "Those were the things that made them different… and that made them beautiful."

The film was directed by documentary filmmaker Cynthia Wade and produced by Sharon Liese.

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"Now, we have the ability to photograph the beauty we see in our friends and ourselves," says Wade. "When we share these diverse images on our social networks, we are taking personal ownership and truly redefining beauty."

What are your thoughts on Dove's new campaign? Do you agree with the message? Tell us in the comments below.