PicMo Monthly Reel: September 2020

There are only 33 days left until the election and the stakes are high. With the passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, those stakes just got higher. We owe it to RBG and her legacy to get out the vote and replace this administration with one that values all lives, is committed to tackling climate change, and respects democracy.

We’ve joined many other companies in making election day a company holiday for every mid-term and general election in support of the movement to turn election day into a federal holiday.

Why? Paid federal holidays apply only to government and public employees, but private employers tend to follow suit. When companies give their staff the entire day to vote, it can greatly shorten lines at polling places during peak hours – enabling shorter wait times to those who aren’t able to take off work!

Read on to check out recent impact campaigns around key issues this election season. We’ve also put together some tips for how you can help get out the vote.

See you at the polls!

Warmly, Team PicMo

Birddog Nation: Inspiring Civic Engagement Leading up to the November Election

Featuring some of the most prominent voices of our time, including the leaders of the Center for Popular Democracy and Medicare for All activist Ady Barkan, Birddog Nation follows a group of fearless activists as they worked to flip the House in 2018. We partnered with activists and organizations working to inspire civic engagement to host a series of virtual screening events and motivating talkbacks. Our themed events covered topics such as the 100 days kicking off to the election, protecting the right to vote, the power of youth activism, and the Texas vote. We’ve also launched a digital campaign with tools that encourage individual activism — follow @birddognationdoc on Instagram for motivating content, and now you can book your own virtual screening of the film here. Help ensure this election puts us on a path of meaningful change!

The Condor And The Eagle Builds Awareness Around Intersectional Environmental Conservation

We’ve just kicked off a campaign with the intersectional environmental justice documentary The Condor And The Eagle for large impact events and screenings of the film. Directed by Sophie and Clément Guerra, it follows four Indigenous leaders who embark on an extraordinary trans-continental adventure from the Canadian Boreal forests to deep into the heart of the Amazonian jungle to unite the peoples of North and South America and deepen the meaning of “Justice.” The impact campaign consists of partnership development with organizations, educators, and experts that will use the film to both fundraise for grassroots conservation groups and as part of their Indigenous Peoples’ Day programming. We will work with the film team and their impact producer to outreach to organizations and individuals to attend and host impact events to bring awareness to the intersectionality of conservation and how the devastation of the earth impacts communities of color disproportionately.

Speaking Across Political Divides with Purple

We have teamed up with Resetting the Table on a community screening and conversation tour for their new film Purple. The short documentary tells the story of everyday Americans with opposing viewpoints addressing their differences head-on and discovering the concerns and humanity that lie behind each other’s positions. Designed to build greater empathy and recognition in the face of deepening U.S. divides, Purple models a rare conversation that uplifts and inspires even while going toward the heat of passionate political differences. As we approach the upcoming presidential election during one of the most divided periods of our country’s history, we are encouraging schools, faith-based institutions, libraries, and bridge-building organizations to host screenings and conversations using a robust discussion guide designed to equip event hosts with the tools they need to facilitate a nuanced conversation about the film.

The All In Impact Campaign Educates on Voter Suppression & Organizes Teacher Training Program

The upcoming Amazon Studios documentary, All In: The Fight for Democracy, by Liz Garbus and Lisa Cortes, examines the often overlooked, yet insidious issue of voter suppression in the United States. With the perspective and expertise of Stacey Abrams, the former Minority Leader of the Georgia House of Representatives, the documentary offers an insider’s look into laws and barriers to voting that most people don’t even know are a threat to their basic rights as citizens of the United States.

Leading up to the 2020 election and beyond, the most important thing audiences can work towards is ensuring that every eligible citizen is able to vote and that their vote is counted. To support this goal the campaign is partnering with teachers in the following battleground states (GA, FL, AK, NC, AL, AZ, PA, SC, TX, WI, VA, and OH) to become Teacher Ambassadors who will receive an honorarium to participate in webinars and other professional development led by Blueshift Education, ELA educator, and librarian Julie E. Torres, members from Educolor Collective, and other partners to educate teachers on how to grow voters with the Grow A Voter curriculum.

📸PicMo Team Member Snapshot

Meet Kayla Kaipolani! Kayla is our Manager of Operations & Communications based in O’ahu, Hawai’i who mostly works behind the scenes to help keep the company running efficiently and happily.

What brought you to PicMo: I have always been passionate about social action and storytelling through media whether it be music, art, or film – which led me to focus in documentary film production while studying filmmaking at NYU Tisch. In 2017, I found Picture Motion and was inspired by the innovative way impact producing is able to educate and activate real change – I excitedly joined the team that has been home to me ever since.

What are you working on right now: I’ve had the opportunity to do a lot of creative thinking around how to support our team and pivot our processes as we transitioned to working remotely. We’ve found that there are so many awesome platforms and companies out there enabling new ways to connect with each other and celebrate milestones from afar. I’ve also been working on this month’s newsletter! I love getting feedback and hearing when something here resonates with our impact & film community!

How have you been engaging in content virtually: I’ve really enjoyed the variety of new content, from webinars and virtual screenings to creative content on Vimeo and Youtube. These virtual experiences have allowed me to learn new things and to hear interesting perspectives and experimental thinking. Although, my favorites by far have to be the stripped-down musical performances streamed virtually.

Favorite recipe: I’m currently expecting, and one of my biggest cravings is coconut peanut butter! I spread some on toast topped with fruit, usually peaches or bananas, and a sprinkle of shredded coconut and macadamia nuts. It’s my go-to every morning to get me started on my day!

Say hello! kayla@picturemotion.com

🗳️ What We Can Do To Get Out The Vote:

Visit Vote Save America or Vote411 to check your registration status.
Participate in Vote Save America’s Adopt-A-State program.
Request an absentee ballot if you plan to vote by mail.
Text MAIL to 26797 to see your state’s deadlines and regulations.
If you qualify, visit Power To The Polls and sign up to be a poll worker!
Fight against voter suppression by volunteering or donating to groups such as VotoLatino, Black Voters Matter Fund, Let America Vote, and Fair Fight.
Check-in with friends! Let them know the ways you plan to be an active voter and encourage them to join along with you.
Are you a company or organization? Ensure your employees have enough time to vote!

Calling teachers in battleground states! PicMo is seeking teachers in the following battleground states (GA, FL, AK, NC, AL, AZ, PA, SC, TX, WI, VA, and OH) to become Teacher Ambassadors for the film All In: The Fight for Democracy, which examines voter suppression in the US. Ambassadors may receive an honorarium to participate in webinars and other professional development led by Blueshift Education, ELA educator, and librarian Julie E. Torres, members from Educolor Collective, and other partners. Find out more!
In the week leading up to the next presidential debate (October 5-15), communities and classrooms across the country will explore what healthy debate among Americans with opposing viewpoints can look like via “Speaking Across Political Divides: Purple Screening Week”. Sign up to bring the conversation to your community.
Watch the recap of our Virtual Event around Athlete A: “How To Change Coaching Culture In Gymnastics” from 9/30 . The event included a discussion with gymnasts and the film’s directors and will navigate how coaches can construct safe coaching environments and provide a sense of agency for athletes while exploring the complexity of creating lasting change in an abusive coaching culture. Watch here!
Brown Girls Doc Mafia’s member directory is live – if you are looking for incredible, talented creatives or candidates to hire be sure to check it out!

41 virtual community screenings & conversations around the film Purple
126 parents, activists, and educators attended Fundamental: A Webinar on Racial and Gender Justice
100% of attendees at a digital screening of Time for the Formerly Incarcerated Convicted People and Families Movement said that the film helped to expand their understanding of the repercussions of the criminal justice system or shed a more personal light on mass incarceration in America
3.6K total attendees across all three impact events for John Bronco for a 76% attendance rate, 26% more than the average virtual event!
101 total community screenings were held of Public Trust
98% of Starting At Zero screening tour audiences reported that they would share the film with friends and family and 89% said they had learned something new