Powerful Social Action Films and Strategies

Social issue films designed to make a difference were spotlighted for this event, which consisted of screenings, filmmaker workshops, and a panel discussion on using media as a social action tool. "We wanted to bring the experience of the filmmakers themselves to audiences that care," Center Director Pat Aufderheide said. "It was a chance to make vital connections."

"Ralph Bunche: An American Odyssey"
This award-winning biography of the great diplomat and international negotiator by William Greaves was screened March 22. Greaves discussed the many challenges in making a documentary on a major historical figure, who negotiated a Middle East peace settlement, but whose achievements have long been obscured. "The research we did on this man was far too ample to be included in one documentary," Greaves said. "But public television only had so much time to devote. So we seized the opportunity to get a national audience and cut the film down to two hours." The wealth of material Greaves obtained will now be developed in a series of educational modules, with a long life ahead in the schools.

"Legacy"
Tod Lending’s Oscar-nominated saga about one poor family’s struggle toward independence and dignity begins with a family devastated by the pointless murder of a 14-year-old son in Chicago's grim housing projects. By the end, his cousin Nickcole graduates and marries, her mother gets a job, her grandmother gets a house, and her aunt gets help for her addictions. "I originally wasn't interested in doing outreach with this film," Lending said. "I was a filmmaker, I had a great story, I thought my job was done. But I learned about the enormous power of film as I saw how experts in reaching communities across the nation used this film." The film has been used in communities of faith, in social service settings and in local organizations to inspire hope for others caught in cycles of poverty and misery. Lending said that from now on—including his current project in which he is following men leaving prison back into the commnity—he's building outreach into his projects from the beginning. Case study on the impact of Legacy

Films from the Environmental Film Festival
The Center also co-sponsoring Environmental Film Festival screenings, which also have powerful social action agendas, including John Sorensen's "Road to Yucca Mountain," Christopher "Toby" McLeod and Malinda Maynor (Lumbee)'s "In the Light of Reverence" and Matthew Testa's "Buffalo War". Sorensen, McLeod and Testa discussed how their films were designed to make a difference. More>>

Filmmakers Forum
"Films as Tools for Social Change", a filmmakers forum, was held March 23. Filmmakers, funders and critics discussed what makes a film successful in changing minds and behaviors, and what techniques and strategies have worked for them. "It's important for filmmakers tor realize that there are many organizations whose expertise in outreach and impact they can draw on," PBS's Alyce Myatt said. "The Internet is a great place to start, with sites like mediarights.org, outreachextensions.com and workingfilms.org."

A generous grant from the Annie E. Casey Foundation permitted the Center to bring in filmmakers and their films for this event.