November 14-15, 2024

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Forum Agenda

Location

United Talent Agency (UTA)
WiFi: UTA Guest
Password: entertainment

Friday, November 15

8:30a – 9:00a

Breakfast & Networking

Courtyard
MORNING PLENARIES
9:00a – 9:15a

Welcome & Overview

Theater
9:15a – 9:45a

What Just Happened? A Look Back at Democracy vs. Authoritarianism in 2024

Theater
  • Robert Raben — President and Founder of The Raben Group; Fmr. U.S. Assistant Attorney General; Serial NGO entrepreneur.
  • Ruth Ben-Ghiat — Professor of History at NYU; Scholar on fascism and authoritarian leaders; Author, “Strongmen: Mussolini to the Present;” Consultant for film and television.
9:45a – 10:00a

New Study: Entertainment Shaping Attitudes Towards Government and the Future

Theater
10:00a - 10:15a

Looking Back: Quick Case Studies of Film and TV Changing Policies

Theater
  • Marty Kaplan — Research Professor of Communication and Journalism; Norman Lear Chair in Entertainment, Media and Society; Director of the Norman Lear Center.
10:15a – 10:30a

Pop-up Pitches

Theater
  • 60-second summaries of democracy-related content, ideas, and initiatives from around the Impact Guild happening in 2025.
10:30a – 10:45a

BREAK

10:45a – 11:25a

The Possibilities – and Pitfalls – of Faith and Religion in Media and Entertainment

Theater
  • Sonya Lockett — President, The Next Slate; Chair, Impact Guild.
  • Seth Cohen — Chief Impact Officer, Forbes.
  • Lorraine Ali — News & Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times.
  • Jon Gunn — Film director and screenwriter; Head of Story, The Wonder Project.
11:25a – 12:00p

Funding Our Frontlines: Investing in Media and Narrative Infrastructure

Theater
12:00p – 12:40p

The Future of Journalism and Local Media

Theater
  • Charles Blow -- Op-ed Columnist for The New York Times; Best-selling author.
  • Lauren Pabst -- Senior Program Officer Journalism & Media, MacArthur Foundation.
12:40p – 1:40p

LUNCH

Courtyard

Lunch and Learn with Impact Projects

Impact Lounge
Informal conversations over lunch with several Impact Guild members about their exceptional work to make the world better through media, arts, and entertainment.  
  • Mara Einstein -- Author and Professor, Queens College
    Hoodwinked: How marketers use the same tactics as cults (BOOK). Hoodwinked reveals the new world of digital marketing where steady, seductive tactics once used by spiritual charlatans are now applied to sell everything from toothpaste to apps and even political leaders.
  • Liz Sargent -- Award-winning Producer and Director, Cyprian Films
    Take Me Home (FILM): A film driving important shifts in how we perceive disability, aging, and care within our culture at large, and our collective imagining of what kind of world is possible.
  • Irisaida Mendez -- Executive Director, Univision Foundation
    La Fuerza de Creer (TELENOVELA):  A telenovela uplifting Latinx families through a culturally responsive, bigenerational transmedia edutainment series.
  • Brian Walker -- CEO, Picture Motion
    MovieNight (EVENT): A national, grassroots screening program designed to energize democracy, depolarization, and measurable impact through the power of film.
  • Juan Camillo Maldonado -- JSK Fellow, Stanford University
    Mutante’s Moderation Lab (RESEARCH):  Testing a new framework for journalism, a multi partial journalistic moderator and demonstrate that it reduces polarization between divided publics while increasing trust in common facts, we can then impact other parts of the social conversation system, such as algorithms, influencers, and audiences.
  • Brett Horvath -- Co-Founder, empire
    empire (ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE):
    A set of tools to help pro-democracy communities (NGO's, artists, funders) relate to artificial intelligence with power by designing better strategies and campaigns.
  • Maurício Mota -- President, Reclaim Entertainment
    Rezball Reparations (STORYTELLING PLATFORM): Impact storytelling platform around Native sports, mental health, and economic futures, created to dismantle many of Hollywood's practice towards stories by and for minorities.
AFTERNOON BREAKOUTS
1:40p – 2:20p

Platforms with Possibilities: Exploring Impact Through Video Games, Emerging Media (XR/VR), Animation, and the Performing Arts

Theater
NOTE:  Opening this session, panelist Suuvi Bacelar performs BLOQUEA’O – an original work for cello, Cuban percussion, and electronics on the subject of the fight for freedom through the lens of a Cuban refugee.
  • Nonny de la Peña — Founder and CEO, Emblematic Group; Program Director, ASU's Narrative and Emerging Media Program; Advisor, Agog (Wendy Schmidt).
  • Alan Gershenfeld — Co-Founder, E-Line Media; Co-Founder, Experimental Design; Former Executive, Activision and Chair, Games for Change.
  • Erica Milsom — Emmy-nominated Co-Founder of Ryzo Studios, an animation and activation studio that’s AI forward and artist-centered; Former creative executive, Pixar.
  • Suuvi Bacelar — Cuban-Chinese multidisciplinary artist and composer; Award-winning cellist.

Beyond Elections: Using Media to Support a Multiracial Democracy Over the Long Term

Simulcast Lounge
  • Farai Chideya — Author, journalist, and researcher; Executive Producer and Host, Our Body Politic (NPR).
  • Carolyn DeWitt — President & Executive Director of Rock the Vote, the largest national organization focused on building long-term political power for this country’s most diverse youth generation.
  • Jeanine Abrams McLean — President of Fair Count, an organization founded by Stacey Abrams to build pathways to continued civic participation, including voting and redistricting.
  • Chelsea Peterson-Salahuddin — Assistant Professor of Media, Technology and Society, University of Michigan.
2:20p – 2:30p

Transition to breakouts

2:30p – 3:10p

A Global Perspective on Shifting Gender Norms Through Entertainment

Theater
  • Norma Jean Straw — Deputy Director, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
  • Vicki Shabo — Senior Fellow for Gender Equity, Paid Leave & Care Policy and Strategy, New America.
  • Mary Mazzio — Award-winning documentary film director; Olympic athlete; Founder and CEO of 50eggs.
  • Blessing Omakwu — Founder & CEO, The She Tank/Board of Directors, Perelman Performing Arts Center NYC.

Promoting Mental Health and Safety in Entertainment and Journalism

Simulcast Lounge
  • Mary Alice Williams — First female network news executive, and the first female anchor, NBC, CNN, PBS; Professor of Journalism, SUNY.
  • Tamara Cherry — Award-winning Canadian journalist; Author of The Trauma Beat: A Case for Re-Thinking the Business of Bad News; Media/trauma researcher
  • Jen Libby — CEO and Founder, Promly; Expert in teen mental health; Psychotherapist.
  • Mina Tobias — Actor and singer; Founder of Don’t MiND Me.
  • Meredith Goldberg-Morse — Director of Social Impact, Showtime/MTV Entertainment Studios; Founding Partner, Mental Health Storytelling Coalition.
3:10p – 3:25p

BREAK

AFTERNOON PLENARIES
3:25p – 4:10p

Persuasion at Scale: Artificial Intelligence, Data and the Future of Storytelling

Theater
  • Chris Wiggins — Chief Data Scientist, New York Times; Associate Professor of Applied Mathematics at Columbia University.
  • Nate Lubin — Founder, Incite Studio; Founder, Better Internet Initiative; Former Head of Digital Strategy, Obama Administration.
  • Kim Carson — Senior Executive, Imagine Global (Ani Chahal Honan’s Beneficial AI Fund); CEO and Founder, Parallax Futures.
  • Nathanael Fast — Director of the Neely Center for Ethical Leadership and Decision Making; Co-Director of the Psychology of Technology Institute at USC.
  • Sharon Strover — Professor of Communications; Chair of the Radio-TV-Film Department, University of Texas, Austin.
    4:10p – 4:55p

    Culture Change and What’s Next for Social Impact in Entertainment

    Theater
    • Chad Boettcher— Co-Founder, Impact Guild; Former impact executive at Participant, Univision, Nike, and MTV.
    • David Linde — Former CEO, Participant; Founder & CEO, Lava Bear Films; Former Chairman, Universal Pictures.
    • Nicole Starr — Former SVP of Content Representation & Impact, Participant; Former Director of Marketing Partnerships, 20th Century Studios.
    • Brianna Cayo-Cotter — SVP of Social Impact, Showtime/MTV Entertainment Studios
    • Kamala Avila-Salmon — Founder & CEO, Kas Kas Productions; Former Head of Inclusive Content Motion Picture Group, Lionsgate.
    4:55p

    Wrap-Up and Closing Remarks

    Theater

    Locations & Hotels

    Thursday, November 14

    Member Meeting (Official Members Only)

    Welcome Reception & Dinner (Open to All)

    Friday, November 15

    2024 Forum

    UTA, 9336 Civic Center Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
    8:30 am - 5:00 pm
    Breakfast & lunch will be provided
    Dress Code: Casual—come as you are!

    Parking: There is ample metered street parking on Civic Center Drive.

    Arrival: Once parked or dropped off, head up the steps off Civic Center Dr. There is a ramp on the eastern side of the steps for those looking for an accessible route. Once you reach the landing, there will be a secondary staircase that descends into the courtyard. Check-in will be at the base of the stairs.

    Hotel Options

    Below are some hotels near the Forum events:
    And here are some other hotel options:

    Attendee List

    First Name
    Last Name
    Organization
    AJ
    Christian
    Northwestern University
    Adam
    Robinson
    Paramount Global
    Aditi
    Juneja
    Democracy 2076
    Adrienne
    Evans
    United Vision for Idaho
    Aeden
    Keffelew
    MENZAY
    Aimie
    Billon
    Social Impact Consultant
    Alan
    Gershenfeld
    E-Line Media
    Alexis
    Hyder
    Telescope Advising
    Alisha
    Hines
    UCLA Center for Scholars & Storytellers
    Allison
    Begalman
    YEA! Impact // Hollywood Climate Summit
    Amina
    Zamani
    ZCG
    Amy
    Putman
    Artist
    Anahita
    Dalmia
    Alterea
    Andrea
    Gomez
    1Community
    Anita
    Ortiz
    LAinclusionista, LLC
    April
    Cisneros
    UCLA Center for Scholars & Storytellers
    Ashlee Marie
    Preston
    KaleidoCollective
    Ashley
    Kolaya
    USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative
    B.
    Pagels-Minor
    DVRGNT Ventures // The Wealth Salons
    Betsy
    Bozdech
    Common Sense Media
    Bianca
    Nepales
    Lionsgate
    Blake
    Pickens
    Vavani Productions
    Blessing
    Omakwu
    The She Tank
    Bonnie
    Benjamin-Phariss
    Jeff & Jenifer Westphal Foundation
    Boodie
    ConnectUp Media Agency
    Bossi
    House of Bossi
    Brandon
    Kaufer
    Tambor Ai
    Brent
    Bushnell
    Future Circus
    Brett
    Horvath
    empire
    Brett
    Rapkin
    Podium Pictures
    Bri
    Xandrick
    United Vision for Idaho
    Brian
    Waniewski
    Harmony Labs
    Brian
    Walker
    Picture Motion
    Brianna
    Cayo-Cotter
    Showtime/MTV Entertainment Studios
    Brooke
    Zaugg
    Faith & Media Initiative
    Cameron
    Kostopoulos
    Kost
    Caren
    Yanis
    Croland Consulting
    Carey
    Lundin
    Citizen Kate
    Cari
    Hanson
    Make Justice Normal
    Carl
    Gist
    NOCA Global
    Carolina
    Torres
    E-Line Media
    Carolyn
    DeWitt
    Rock the Vote
    Chad
    Boettcher
    Impact Guild
    Charlene
    Jimenez
    Cinereach
    Charles
    Blow
    The New York Times
    Chelsea
    Peterson-Salahuddin
    University of Michigan
    Chris
    Temple
    Optimist
    Chris
    Wiggins
    The New York Times // Columbia University
    Christopher
    Keefe
    Big Impact
    Christopher
    Racster
    Outfest
    Claudia
    Bojorquez
    Achieve Miami
    Claudia
    Ruiz
    UnidosUS
    Colin
    Maclay
    USC
    Dan
    Green
    Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
    Daniel
    Lir
    Dream Team Directors
    Daniela
    Kon Lieberberg
    SIMA Studios
    Daniela
    Ramirez
    Spitfire Strategies
    Dave
    Yeager
    Showcase
    David
    Lowenstein
    Lionstone Consulting Group
    David
    Radcliff
    WGA
    David
    Linde
    Donna
    Brandis
    Four Directions
    Dylan
    Bulkeley
    Drag PAC
    Elizabeth
    Stiff
    Little Lion Impact
    Elizabeth
    Woodward
    WILLA
    Elizabeth
    Voorhees
    The Walt Disney Studios
    Ellen
    Schneider
    Active Voice Lab
    Elyse
    Frenchman
    The Way We See
    Eric
    Besner
    Youth Media International
    Erica
    Milsom
    Ryzo Studios
    Erica
    Rosenthal
    USC Annenberg Norman Lear Center
    Eva
    Bloomfield
    Elevate Prize Foundation
    Evelyn
    Perez-Verdia
    We Are Más
    Farai
    Chideya
    Our Body Politic
    Felipe
    Cala
    Open Society Foundations
    Graciela
    Leal
    PCI Media
    Heather
    Fipps
    The Redford Center
    Irisaida
    Mendez
    Univision Foundation
    Isaias
    Hernandez
    Queer Brown Vegan
    Ishita
    Srivastava
    The FrameWorks Institute
    Jacoria
    Borders
    TCG Impact
    Jaime
    Uzeta
    Generación
    Jared
    Ruga
    Impact Guild // Vavani Productions
    Jason
    Maymon
    Jeanine
    Abrams McLean
    Fair Count
    Jeffrey
    Abramson
    Bridge Entertainment Labs
    Jen
    Libby
    Promly
    Jennifer
    Martinez
    Chan Zuckerberg Initiative
    Jennifer
    Strachan
    Cinereach
    Jennifer
    Gottesfeld
    Pixar
    Jennifer
    Lynch
    Paramount Pictures
    Jess
    Jacobs
    Filmmaker
    Jo
    Jensen
    Little Lion Impact
    Jocelyn
    Iverson
    PCI Media
    Johanna
    Blakley
    USC Annenberg Norman Lear Center
    John
    Heinsen
    MANABU Foundation
    Jon
    Gunn
    The Wonder Project
    Jonathan
    Tran
    The California Endowment
    Joseph
    McKellar
    PICO California
    Joshua
    Lucas
    PIX11 News
    Juan Camilo
    Maldonado Tovar
    Stanford University // Mutante
    Judy
    Friedman
    Audacious Philanthropy
    Julia
    Layman
    Conrad N. Hilton Foundation
    Juliane
    Dressner
    Reify Films
    Julie
    Hermelin
    Gutsy Media
    Juliette
    Boberg
    League of Women Voters of the United States
    Jung
    Hee
    California Endowment
    Kaitlin
    Funaro
    RALLY
    Kamala
    Avila-Salmon
    Kas Kas Productions
    Kate
    Oliva
    Good Energy
    Kathy
    Le Backes
    The Walt Disney Studios
    Kevin
    Patel
    OneUpAction
    Kim
    Carson
    Imagine Global
    Kirsten
    Schaeffer
    Women in Film Hollywood
    Kristen
    Marston
    The League
    Laura
    Erickson-Schroth
    The Jed Foundation
    Laurel
    Felt
    RAES
    Lauren
    Pabst
    MacArthur Foundation
    Liz
    Prosch
    Liz
    Sargent
    Caring Across Generations
    Lobna
    Hassairi
    Prosperity Now
    Lorraine
    Ali
    Los Angeles Times
    Lydia
    Storie
    Caring Across Generations
    Maegan
    Philmore
    Hudson Philmore
    Manami
    Kano
    Kano Advising LLC
    Mara
    Einstein
    CUNY
    Mario
    Cader-Frech
    DeeperDive.org
    Mark
    Leibowitz
    Leibowitz Pictures
    Marty
    Kaplan
    USC Annenberg Norman Lear Center
    Mary
    Mazzio
    50eggs
    Mary
    Matheson
    Arizona State University
    Mary
    Dunaway Cage
    Cinereach
    Mary Alice
    Williams
    SUNY
    Matt
    Bravmann
    Atopos
    Mauricio
    Mota
    Reclaim Entertainment Ventures
    Meesha
    Brown
    PCI Media
    Mädchen
    Amick
    Don't MiND Me Foundation
    Melissa
    Forman
    Impakt Partners
    Melody
    Mohebi
    Independent
    Meredith
    Goldberg-Morse
    Showtime / MTV Entertainment Studios
    Michael
    Dabbs
    Gill Foundation
    Michelle
    Finocchi
    Moving the Needle
    Mik
    Moore
    Moore + Associates
    Mina
    Tobias
    Don't MiND Me Foundation
    Nancy
    Anderson
    MacArthur Foundation
    Natalie
    Byrne
    blank space
    Natalie
    Conneely
    Optimist
    Nathanael
    Fast
    USC Neely Center for Ethical Leadership and Decision Making
    Nathaniel
    Lubin
    Incite Studio // Survey 160
    Nicole
    Starr
    Consultant
    Noam
    Dromi
    Reboot Studios
    Noelle
    Howey
    Blue State
    Nonny
    de la Peña
    Arizona State University // Emblematic Group
    Norma Jean
    Straw
    Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
    Oscar
    Hernandez
    Independent Filmmaker
    Pedram
    Shojai
    Urban Monk Productions
    Rachael
    Terrell
    Showtime / MTV Entertainment Studios
    Ramona
    Oliver
    National Education Association
    Richard
    Abrams
    Sage Works Productions
    Rob
    Avruch
    Chan Zuckerberg Initiative
    Robert
    Raben
    The Raben Group
    Robert
    Bowers Disney
    Hollywood Committee
    Roberta
    Cruger
    USC
    Romain
    Vakilitabar
    Pathos Labs // PopShift
    Rona
    Peligal
    Fund for Global Human Rights
    Ruth
    Ben-Ghiat
    NYU
    Sabrina
    Hersi Issa
    Democracy Well
    Sam
    Rodriguez
    Impact Guild
    Sanaz
    Alesafar
    Storyline Partners
    Sandy
    Itkoff
    Incredible Beast Omnimedia
    Sandy
    Herz
    WUCO Impact
    Sara
    Critchfield
    Fetzer Institute
    Sarah
    Dawson
    empire
    Sarah
    Ali
    R&S Kayne Foundation
    Seth
    Cohen
    Forbes
    Sharon
    Strover
    University of Texas, Austin
    Shira
    Fine
    Bryson Gillette
    Shivani
    Honwad
    The Law Firm of Shivani Honwad LLC
    Sonya
    Lockett
    Impact Guild
    Sophia
    Bush
    Stacey
    Crawford
    Impact Producer / Content Strategist
    Stephanie
    Cullen
    OMGFemaleFilmmakers / OMG Studios Boise
    Steve
    Wax
    Heyday Books
    Stéphane
    Glynn
    Impact Guild
    Suuvi
    Bacelar
    SUUVI
    Tamara
    Cherry
    Pickup Communications
    Ted
    Richane
    Consequential
    Tehya
    Kopp
    Ryzo Studios
    Tenaya
    Wallace
    CrowdAdvocacy
    Tiffany
    Flowers
    The Frontline / Election Defenders
    Tina
    Exarhos
    Resilience Creative
    Tolu
    Olubunmi
    How To Speak American
    Tracy
    Sturdivant
    The League
    Tricia
    Nelson
    Magic Number Media
    Ty
    Stiklorius
    Friends At Work
    Vicki
    Shabo
    New America Better Life Lab
    Victoria
    Verba
    SUUVI
    Vinay
    Singh
    Joint Venture
    Whitney
    Kleinhenz
    William
    Nix
    Creative Projects Group // SIE Society
    Wyatt
    Closs
    Big Bowl of Ideas
    Yalda
    Tehranian-Uhls
    UCLA Center for Scholars & Storytellers
    Yvette
    Nicole Brown
    Zubaydah
    Bashir
    Cinereach

    Pop-up Pitches

    Project Title
    Project Overview
    Contact
    Blue State Presents: The Secret Language Series

    Blue State is launching quarterly mini-narrative guides that help brands and NGOs move beyond basic inclusive language to address subtle rhetorical frames that promote bias. Our expansive approach to inclusive language and storytelling connects clients with organizations doing vital narrative change work, creating a collaborative network for more impactful messaging.

    Noelle Howey

    nhowey@bluestate.co

    Public Schools Narrative Initiative

    We're building a movement to protect public schools from coordinated attacks that threaten both democratic values and educational opportunities for 50 million children. Our initiative counters divisive narratives by celebrating public schools as essential spaces where diverse voices are respected and civil society takes root.

    Ramona Oliver

    roliver@nea.org

    Ready to Serve?

    Cinereach's innovative social media series pairs three engaging hosts with civic leaders for immersive day-in-the-life episodes, making public service relatable to audiences under 30. Through skillfully produced 10-15 minute segments blending humor with authentic moments, the show builds trust in democracy while challenging contestants to understand the human side of civic leadership.

    Jennifer Strachan

    jennifer@cinereach.org

    Tell All the Other Girls

    Tell All the Other Girls, Bossi's upcoming album, explores women's historical struggle against restrictive narratives and their journey toward self-actualization in a patriarchal world. The House of Bossi is extending this vision through its residency program, currently working to bring Nigerian multidisciplinary artist Ayanfe Olarinde to explore gender themes through visual art.

    The Elephant & Butterfly

    The Elephant & Butterfly synthesizes insights from 100 cross-sector conversations about our evolving world, sharing findings through Substack and podcasts focused on storytelling for social change. With IRIS funding, we're investigating narrative shift approaches and story-for-impact ecosystems, while actively seeking innovative perspectives from network weavers across media, tech, AI, and nonprofit sectors.

    Sandy Herz

    sandy@hherz.com

    The Lady Chablis Documentary

    Our documentary tells a compelling and timely story about authentic living through the unique lens of The Lady Chablis. Drawing on exclusive access and distinctive viewpoints, our experienced team is crafting an intimate portrait that captures this remarkable journey.

    The Way We See

    We create powerful short documentaries for direct impact advocacy within the criminal legal system, using narrative change to help decision-makers see new perspectives. Our approach has proven remarkably effective, with our videos contributing to an average 68% reduction in prison sentences.

    Yes, And... Laughter Lab Fall Show

    The Yes, And... Laughter Lab is an innovative incubator and pitch program elevating diverse comedic voices who create content about critical social issues. We bridge the gap between talented comedians and the entertainment industry, social justice organizations, and activists, helping bring meaningful comedy into both the marketplace and movements for social change.

    Impact Lounge

    Project Title
    Project Overview
    Contact
    Fuerza:STEM Uplifting Latinx Families Through a Culturally Responsive, Bigenerational Transmedia Edutainment Series

    Univision's innovative transmedia series combines educational content with popular telenovela formats to nurture Latinx children's interest in STEM while engaging their families. Through culturally responsive storytelling and community watch parties, the program creates rich learning environments that integrate informal science education with Hispanic family and community life.

    Hoodwinked: How Marketers Use The Same Tactics As Cults

    Dr. Einstein's groundbreaking investigation reveals how digital marketing employs cult-like tactics in our algorithm-driven world, where brands have become modern gods. The book exposes how manipulation techniques once used by spiritual charlatans are now deployed to sell everything from consumer products to political leaders, offering insights into resisting these seductive digital forces.

    Movie Night

    Picture Motion's groundbreaking Movie Night initiative leverages the power of film to energize democracy and reduce polarization through local grassroots screenings. Launching in November, this program will empower community leaders to host over 100 screenings nationwide, aiming to reach one million people and inspire civic engagement through carefully curated documentaries and narratives.

    Mutante's Moderation Lab

    We're developing a new framework for journalism that moves beyond traditional impartiality and partisan approaches toward "multipartial" moderation. Our lab tests innovative approaches to reduce polarization and increase trust in shared facts, with the goal of influencing broader social conversation systems including algorithms, influencers, and audiences.

    Juan Camilo Maldonado Tovar

    jcmt@stanford.edu

    Rezball Impact Platform

    Our native sports storytelling platform connects Native American youth, families, and reservation basketball stakeholders with essential tools and resources for long-term impact. We're dismantling Hollywood's traditional approaches to minority stories by creating an authentic ecosystem focused on Native sports, mental health, and economic futures.

    Take Me Home

    Take Me Home is a groundbreaking narrative drama about Anna, a 33-year-old Korean adoptee with a cognitive disability, living with her aging parents in suburban Florida. Through an innovative financing model and inclusive production process, this film challenges cultural perceptions of disability, aging, and care, while exploring universal themes of family dynamics and self-determination.

    empire

    empire is a mission-driven company developing pro-democracy AI tools for strategy and scenario planning. Our suite of resources helps pro-democracy communities, including NGOs, artists, and funders, engage with AI from a position of power to design more effective strategies and campaigns.

    Brett Horvath

    brett@empire.email

    Other Impact Projects

    Project Title
    Project Overview
    Contact
    @RealCitizenKate

    What do millennials and Gen Z really think about the election? We find out on Real Citizen Kate, a social media series that humorously breaks down the issues of young voters.

    Agents of Influence: A Spy Media Literacy Game

    Agents of Influence is a spy media literacy game aimed at middle and high school students. The game teaches critical thinking, content analysis, research, and communication—essential skills that form the foundation of 21st-century education. After the game, students are guided to real resources such as fact checkers or volunteer opportunities to apply their learnings to their lives.

    Animal Welfare Storytelling Collective

    The first dedicated coalition of animal storytellers + activists to create compelling, research-backed media narratives aimed at reducing animal suffering. This initiative is also designed to bridge the disconnect between the climate + animal welfare movements.

    Matt Bravmann

    matt@atopos.co

    Body of Mine

    Body of Mine is a groundbreaking full-body VR experience that allows users to inhabit another gender while exploring authentic transgender stories. Combining cutting-edge tracking technology with personal narratives, this award-winning project creates an unprecedented empathy-building experience that WIRED praised for breaking psychological barriers in media representation.

    Cameron Kostopoulos

    cameron@kost.ai

    Bridging Environmental Values Campaign

    This initiative uses powerful films and community gatherings to build bridges across political divides through shared environmental values. By focusing on common ground rather than differences, we aim to foster bipartisan collaboration and dispel the narrative that environmental progress requires polarization.

    C'est la Vie!: The Webseries

    This record-breaking African webseries explores sexual and reproductive health rights through compelling storytelling about young people in the fictional city of Ratanga. Our latest episodes, reaching 30 million West Africans with double the average engagement rate, tackle crucial issues like teen pregnancy and abortion access through authentic character-driven narratives.

    How To Speak American

    How to Speak American is a pro-democracy, culture-shifting campaign using the power of storytelling to amplify the voices of new Americans. By sharing real experiences and demystifying the citizenship process, we aim to engage communities, empower newly naturalized citizens, and refocus attention on a powerful yet often overlooked electorate.

    Mind Rider

    This social impact film follows a troubled high school student who overcomes depression, bullying, and family conflict through the exhilarating challenges of extreme mountain biking. Through compelling narrative storytelling, "Mind Rider", promotes natural solutions for teen mental health challenges while emphasizing the importance of dreams, sports, and proper nutrition.

    Rapid Response Content Creators

    Based on the most pressing misinformation and disinformation we see in Spanish-speaking communities, we are building a rapid response partnership with organizations and people who create content in Spanish, like We Are Más, to counter it through humor and artistic ways, like animations. All with a cultural context eye to ensure our communities share it.

    Evelyn Pérez-Verdía

    evelyn@wearemasfl.com

    Reality Is Us

    Inspired by Reality Winner's story of exposing Russian election interference, this impact campaign extends beyond the film "Winner" to create a hub for community action. Our platform combines messaging and actionable resources to inspire viewers to question authority and actively engage in democratic change.

    Rachel E. Cooke

    rachel@1community.com

    Ripple Effect

    This groundbreaking social experiment brings together diverse Americans to discover common ground through evidence-based trauma healing and peacebuilding techniques. Participants engage in transformational practices without knowing others' viewpoints, creating space for authentic human connection across ideological divides.

    Showcase

    Showcase is transforming music discovery by connecting carefully curated emerging and underserved artists with audiences seeking authentic new sounds. Our platform goes beyond traditional streaming to create a movement that humanizes music discovery while providing artists with meaningful exposure and support.

    The CADER Method

    Developed in collaboration with Harvard Divinity School's Religious Literacy Project, the CADER Method provides a structured four-phase approach to identifying and improving religious representations in media. This comprehensive framework helps creators craft more accurate, nuanced portrayals while enhancing audience engagement and cultural understanding.

    Mario Cader-Frech

    mariocader@mac.com

    Undivide Us

    Through intimate focus groups across three American cities, this documentary explores the potential for healing America's partisan divide through local community engagement. The film advocates for reclaiming open discourse and democratic values, giving voice to the silent majority seeking solutions over conflict.