We award financial and other support each quarter to film & storytelling projects that have the potential to change culture.
Stories have long occupied a fundamental role in teaching cultural norms and values.
Whether they take the form of children’s stories like Little Red Riding Hood; novels like Middlesex; films like Parasite; or public service campaigns like “only you can prevent forest fires,” stories have the power to define and shape culture. They influence what we believe and how we behave.
The power of story is sometimes taken for granted because of the deluge of social media and content in the information age. But it is exactly in this world of data and information overload that engaging story can rise above the clutter and overwhelm to connect, engage and change culture. There is evidence throughout human history of the impact of story on behavior and societies, from Homer’s Odyssey that shared stories about conquering cities with trickery that are mirrored in the Greek battle strategy that followed, to recent stories like that of George Floyd that are advancing a new narrative about race across America.
Film has tremendous power to shape the way we see the world. As we embark upon this cultural reckoning, the Story Changes Culture ELEVATE program supports film and storytelling projects that have the potential to change culture. Our quarterly financial awards range in amount and are sometimes combined with non-financial resources to produce and distribute films that can advance new ways of thinking and new ways of telling stories.
We prioritize support for projects that ELEVATE women and people of color, showcasing and amplifying these storytellers both behind and in front of the mic and camera.
Latest Projects We Support
Apply for Support
If you have a film or storytelling project you’d like us to consider, please fill out the form below. Our executive producer Jennifer Cloer will be in touch to discuss the project further.