Take Action
Stop Global Warming Campaign
Posted on March 21, 2006
Have you seen Neglected Sky? Over 292,000 are taking action by joining the Virtual March to Stop Global Warming. Everyone from Al Franken and Leonardo DiCaprio to the Blue Man Group and Barak Obama. Global warming is more than an... [more]
AT&T and BellSouth: New Media Monopoly
Posted on March 09, 2006
Have you seen The News Is What We Make It? This claymation highlights the dangers of our media landscappe being monopolized by 7 conglomerates. And a new giant is emerging. Timothy Carr of Free Press writes today on AlterNet: The... [more]
iThemba Director Premieres New Film
Posted on March 09, 2006
Have you seen iThemba from the fouth annual Media That Matters Film Festival? Director Keefe Murren has has completed a new feature-length documentary, August in the Empire State. Using the Republican National Convention and the animated reaction of New Yorkers... [more]
Socially Conscious Films Honored by OSCAR
Posted on March 03, 2006
Millions of viewers around the world will tune into the 78th Annual Academy Awards this Sunday. But in addition to an evening of opulence and red carpet frenzy, the Academy is shedding light on many progressive issues. And I am... [more]
Media That Matters On Video Bomb
Posted on February 16, 2006
Video Bomb is a project of the Participatory Culture Foundation (PCF), a non-profit that build software and websites to create an independent, creative, engaging, and meritocratic TV system for millions of people around the world. Video Bomb was created to... [more]
March 3: Fair Use Event at NYU
Posted on February 14, 2006
During this year's call for entries we announced our partnership with the Center for Social Media (CFSM) and our commitment honoring one film with a Fair Use award. We received many submissions that both employ fair use as well as... [more]
February 15: Tekserve, New York, NY
Posted on February 09, 2006
The Media Communications Association of New York presents TV on the Internet or Internet on TV? The New World of Content Distribution. Join us for a panel discussion on the future of online distribution from corporate direct-to-consumer information, marketing and... [more]
Media That Matters Call For Entries is Closed
Posted on February 08, 2006
We officially closed our call for entries last week. We received over 500 shorts from independent and youth producers from around the world we thank all of the filmmakers who applied! Our official selections will be decided in the coming... [more]
A Girl Names Kai Honored at the Tokyo Video Festival
Posted on January 26, 2006
The Tokyo Video Festival (TVF) started in 1978, by Victor Company of Japan, Ltd. (JVC) which sought to develop a new image culture by means of video. Since then, over 40,000 submissions from over 90 companies have been considered. As... [more]
iThemba Honored at ICASA Film Festival
Posted on January 23, 2006
iThemba, the Health Advocacy Award winner from the fourth annual Media That Matters Film Festival was included in the 2005 ICASA Film Festival part of the International Conference on AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections in Africa (ICASA). iThemba was screened... [more]
5 Days Left for The Call For Entries
Posted on January 19, 2006
The Call for Entries for the sixth annual Media That Matters Film Festival closes in 5 days. We have had hundreds of submissions so far and are hoping to receive hundreds more. If you've made a film with a message,... [more]
January 30: Center for Social Media, Washington DC
Posted on January 06, 2006
On January 30th, the Center for Social Media is hosting a day-long symposium on Making Your Documentary Matter: Public Engagement Strategies that Work. Join filmmakers, outreach specialists and foundation representatives for a series of panel discussions on the latest in... [more]
Arts Engine At Sundance
Posted on January 05, 2006
The film community will collide next week in Park City for the 2006 Sundance Film Festival. Arts Engine will be at the Outreach Table in the Filmmakers Lodge on September 21st from 10:30-2:00 pm. We will be sharing this time... [more]
Bloggers Transform News Media
Posted on January 03, 2006
Have you seen the The News Is What We Make It ? This claymation short explores the dangers of our current media landscape where ownership of mainstream media is concentrated in 7 conglomerates. The internet and especially the increasing power... [more]
Media The Matters Deadline Extended
Posted on December 28, 2005
Have you had a chance to submit your film to the Media That Matters Film Festival? We extended the submission deadline to January 23, 2006. If you have a short film with a message, we want to see it. We... [more]
December 20 Lantern Screening Postponed!
Posted on December 20, 2005
Due to the transit strike, the screening set to take place this evening has been postponed. The event titled Challenging the Charity Mentality: Disability and the Media will take place in 2006. Please check back in the coming weeks for... [more]
Take A Fair Trade Quiz
Posted on December 09, 2005
How much do you know about fair trade? In The Luckiest Nut In The World, Mr. Peanut explores the difference between free and fair trade. OneWorld US published a Fair Trade Quiz to test how much you know about fair... [more]
Fast and Reliable Is In Slamdance!
Posted on December 08, 2005
Have you seen Fast and Reliable? Winner of the Against the Odds Award, this film profiles an amazing New York City bike messenger. We are thrilled to announce that Fast and Reliable has been selected to the 12th annual the... [more]
Photos from Santa Fe
Posted on December 08, 2005
From Bob Dylan to the Clash to Public Enemy, music has spoken to the hearts and the passions of every generation. It has helped us stand up for what is right and protest what was wrong. It has helped tear... [more]
United Nations Climate Change Conference in Montreal
Posted on December 07, 2005
Have you seen Neglected Sky ? This flash animation calls attention to the global warming crisis in the USA and the world. Between November 28 and December 9, Montreal, Canada is hosting the first Meeting of the Parties to the... [more]
World AIDS Day
Posted on December 01, 2005
December 1st is World AIDS Day an internation day of action on HIV and AIDS. There are more than 40 million people living with HIV and AIDS worldwide. On the day of commemoration, education and awareness raising, we highlight the... [more]
NPR Profiles Hunger in America
Posted on November 23, 2005
Have you seen Struggling to Survive and World on Fire? Both of these films address hunger and the food insecure in the USA and around the world. Some 38 million people in America are considered "food insecure," which means they... [more]
Documentary Filmmakers Statement of Best Practices in Fair Use
Posted on November 22, 2005
On November 18, 2005, the Center for Social Media held a press conference to realease a Documentary Filmmakers’ Statement of Best Practices in Fair Use. The Statement describes a range of situations in which documentary filmmakers agree they have the... [more]
Celebrate International Day of Tolerance
Posted on November 18, 2005
November 16th was the International Day of Tolerance. Take a few minutes to be inspired by the story of baby Quin, who's not Black, not White, not Asian, and certainly not "other." Watch our winner of the Tolerance Education Award... [more]
National "Not Your Soldier" Day of Action
Posted on November 17, 2005
Have you seen All That I Can Be? November 17th is National "Not Your Soldier" Youth and Student Day of Action. Are military recruiters invading your schools and using promises of scholarships and career opportunities to convince your friends to... [more]
Asbury Shorts New York Screens Media That Matters
Posted on November 16, 2005
The 26th Annual Asbury Shorts Film Show will take place this Friday November 18th. Asbury Shorts of New York is a touring exhibition of the world's most entertaining, independent short films. The Asbury show covers the best shorts in all... [more]
The US is Wasting Away
Posted on November 02, 2005
Have you seen Neglected Sky, Young Agrarians and World On Fire? These films on sustainability and the environment address the need for drastic changes in the way we interact with the environment. A recent article "The Hidden Life of Garbage"... [more]
October 22: Media Literacy Conference, MIT, Cambridge, MA
Posted on October 18, 2005
Home, Inc., U.S. Department of Education, Boston Public Schools and MIT Comparative Media Studies, partner on a one-day conference on Media Literacy. The event is scheduled for October 22nd and will take place at the MIT Campus. The conference theme... [more]
World Food Day
Posted on October 17, 2005
October 16th is World Food Day and we want to highlight Young Agrarians and The Luckiest Nut In The World World Food Day is a worldwide event designed to increase awareness, understanding, and informed, year-around action to alleviate hunger. It... [more]
Prison Officials Sued for Sexual Assualt Behind Bars
Posted on October 12, 2005
Today's New York Times includes an editorial about Roderick Johnson who is suing prison officials accusing them of violating his rights under the Eighth Amendment, which prohibits cruel and unusual punishment. Our third annual Media That Matters Film Festival included... [more]
All That I Can Be at the Vermont International Film Festival
Posted on October 06, 2005
The 16th annual Vermont International Film Festival runs from October 13 - October 16. The four-day festival presents approximately 60 films from all over the world, including a special showcase dedicated exclusively to Vermont filmmakers. The screenings are accompanied by... [more]
Returning to Columbine for Insights Into Bullying
Posted on October 03, 2005
Have you seen Homecoming? This short film follows Ron as physical and emotional harassment drove him out of his school and away from his home. Mark Ames' recently released book, "Going Postal: Rage, Murder, and Rebellion — From Reagan's Workplaces... [more]
Submit Your Film to the Sixth Annual Media That Matters Film Festival
Posted on September 29, 2005
If a film is made and no one sees it, does it make an impact? Submit your film to Media That Matters and be heard. Media That Matters will bring your social-issue short to audiences around the world! Sixteen winners... [more]
Building A Whiter New Orleans
Posted on September 27, 2005
Have you seen System Failure? This devasting look at the California Youth Authority calls attention to the deep racism of the justice system. in the wake of hurricane Katrina and rebuilding New Orleans, the most affluent members of the community... [more]
Something Other Than Other Honored at the IFP
Posted on September 23, 2005
Have you seen Something Other Than Other and I Promise Africa? Jerry Henry directed and produced both of these Media That Matters Film Festival award winners. During the final days of the IFP Market in Manhattan, Jerry received the Gordon... [more]
Battleground Minnesota at MX80 Festival
Posted on September 20, 2005
MX80 is a fine arts exhibition and auction taking place in New York from September 8-29, 2005. On September 22, a film screening of youth media is featuring Battlegound Minnesota. Arts Engine's Angela Tucker will present the film and take... [more]
Something Other Than Other at Rooftop Films
Posted on September 13, 2005
Rooftop Films 2005 summer film series is drawing near with its final screening taking place on Friday September 16. The upcoming show is highlights from the 2005 season and includes the Festival film Something Other Than Other. Rooftop Film Closing... [more]
The Recipe for Peace May Be What We Eat
Posted on September 12, 2005
Have you seen Young Agrarians? The films explores the benefits of purchasing and eating fruits and vegtables from local farms. When the Appleton Central Alternative High School replaced soda with water in vending machines and hamburgres and french fries with... [more]
Demand Racial Justice in Coverage of Katrina
Posted on September 08, 2005
In the aftermath of Katrina, the Gulf Coast and the nation have witnessed devastation of staggering proportions. The patterns of racism and poverty are undeniable, yet the mainstream media have only reluctantly asked whether race or class played a role.... [more]
Media Spreads Fear During Katrina and Hinders Aid
Posted on September 07, 2005
In The News Is What We Make It, claymation high schoolers discover the devastating statistics of our mainstream media environment: 7 conglomerates own over 80% of the mainstream news outlets. There is little room for dissent or opposing opinions and... [more]
Teacher Changes Lives One Shakespeare Play At A Time
Posted on September 06, 2005
Have you seen Homecoming? This short speaks about the crucial role the school environment and teachers play in the personal growth of teens. A new documentary titled The Hobart Shakespeareans profiles Rafe Esquith, a fifth-grade teacher in inner-city Los Angeles... [more]
Top 10 Eco-Friendly Schools
Posted on August 25, 2005
Have you seen Neglected Sky and Young Agrarians? The Green Guide published an article about the Green Schools Initiative, a multi-school effort to make schools healthier and more ecologically sustainable. This project found that the classrooms in half of America's... [more]
Link TV Broadcasts Media That Matters 4
Posted on August 24, 2005
Link TV is scheduled to broadcast the entire fourth annual Media That Matters Film Festival on Saturday September 3, 2005 at 3:30 pm. Link TV is the first nationwide television channel dedicated to providing Americans with global perspectives on news,... [more]
Media Coverage of Gaza Offers Little Answers
Posted on August 23, 2005
Have you seen The News Is What We Make Of It ? This claymation short describes the schockingly narrow media landscape. Throughout the last week of the Gaza disengagement, the media has been focusing on the middle east but MediaChannel.org... [more]
Is Our Nation Endorsing Child Obesity?
Posted on August 18, 2005
Have you seen Young Agrarians? This short film profiles youth in California who recognize the benefits of farming and eating locallly grown produce. Sadly, many youth in the US do not have access to farm-fresh vegetables and far too many... [more]
iWaste: Time for Apple to Recycle
Posted on August 16, 2005
In the PSA Laptop, a bank heist gone arwy illuminates the digital divide that still exists in North America. Despite the many who are media poor, the media rich are purchasing more computers more often. But what is happening to... [more]
Boys Scouted Out
Posted on August 15, 2005
In Homecoming and A Girl Named Kai, Ron and Kai Ling face hate crimes and diaproval for being homosexual. Discrimination based on sexual identity is rampant among teens and adults and a recent dismissal by the Boy Scouts of America... [more]
International Youth Day
Posted on August 12, 2005
August 12 is International Youth Day. The General Assembly on 17 December 1999 in its resolution 54/120, endorsed the recommendation made by the World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth (Lisbon, 8-12 August 1998) that 12 August be declared International... [more]
The Global Solutions Summer Games
Posted on August 12, 2005
Have you seen Neglected Sky? Producer John Cooney and his fantastic penguin are back in a the 2005 Citizens For Global Solutions Summer Games. WATER-DASH is 3 games in one! You are an arctic penguin out to prevent disease, save... [more]
Cinemasports Comes to NY August 27th
Posted on August 11, 2005
It is time to make a movie: Cinemasports is the Iron Chef of Filmmaking. Teams have 10 hours to complete a movie with a list of ingredients. Screening of the finished movie begin on the 11th hour - that... [more]
Student Write In Search of Happy Endings
Posted on August 10, 2005
Have you seen Happy Ending? Chris, a youth producer from New York, produced a film about his search for a happy ending and reconciliation with his mom. This candid documentary exemplifies how the process of creating a personal story is... [more]
Getting Out the Vote: The Voting Rights Act Turns 40
Posted on August 09, 2005
Have you seen Children of Birmingham and Battleground Minnesota? In acknowledging the 40th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act (VRA) of 1965, it is crucial that we commemorate the importance of this historic legislation but also address the flaws and... [more]
Friends of FourDocs
Posted on August 03, 2005
Have you seen our festival films? Are you inspired by short documentaries? We'de like to introduce you to some friends accross the Atlantic who are as excited and passionate about shorts as we are. FourDocs is a broadband channel designed... [more]
POPaganda Preview on PBS July 29
Posted on July 29, 2005
Have you seen POPaganda: The Art and Subversion of Ron English? This short film about culture jammer Ron English is part of our fourth annual Media That Matters Film Festival and is now an acclaimed feature length film set for... [more]
High Schooler Traps Military Recruiters
Posted on July 28, 2005
Have you seen the film All That I Can Be? Youth producers from the Educational Video Center made this film after seeing some of their friends choosing to enlist in the army. A high-schooler in Arvada, CO also decided to... [more]
Festival Jury Member Attends World Festival of Youth and Students
Posted on July 27, 2005
From August 7 – 15, 2005, eighteen year-old Habibah Ahmad will be documenting The 16th World Festival of Youth and Students in Caracas, Venezuela. Ms. Ahmad is a youth producer from Manhattan Neigborhood Network’s Youth Channel and member of the... [more]
Clean Slate for World's Poorest Nations
Posted on July 26, 2005
Have you seen the The Luckiest Nut In The World? Mr. Peanut explains why making trade free can hurt the world's poorest nations. Earlier this summer, the world weathiest nations agreed to cancel more than $40 billion in debts that... [more]
As The World Warms, Food Quality Diminishes
Posted on July 25, 2005
Have you seen Neglected Sky? This flash animation short calls for the ratification for the Kyoto Protocol. Recent studies conclude there is yet another reason to be conscerned about global warming: food detrioration. Glenn Scherer explains in hisn recent article... [more]
College Campuses Choose Organic Food
Posted on July 20, 2005
Have you seen Young Agrarians? This portrait of California youth planting the seeds for a sustainable future mirrors a trend occuring in college campuses around the country. Brown University has joined the ranks of colleges committed to buying locally grown... [more]
Climate Fight in Hands of Local Leaders
Posted on July 12, 2005
The flash animation Neglected Sky, is a call to ratify the Kyoto Protocol. At the Utah conference which began on Sunday former U.S. Energy Secretary Bill Richardson urged mayors from across the nation to take the lead in fighting global... [more]
Ban On Smoking May Increase Violence in Prisons
Posted on July 12, 2005
Have you seen System Failure? This short film exposes the neglect and abuse of the youth detained at the California Youth Authority (CYA) prisons. As campaigns to close the CYA prisons and reform the structure of juvenile incarceration gain momentum,... [more]
Want Kids to Eat Their Veggies?
Posted on July 06, 2005
Have you seen Young Agrarians? This film describes an organic farm in California where youth are learning to plant the seeds for a sustainable future. Well half way across the country, students are learning to love vegetables by spending time... [more]
Free Internet Access at Your Local Library
Posted on June 30, 2005
The film Laptop, encourages its viewers to visit local libraries to gain internet access. A study released by the American Library Association reveals that 98.8 percent of libraries offer free public internet access- up from 95 percent in 2002. 18... [more]
Eat It Up: Some Food For Thought
Posted on June 29, 2005
Have you seen Young Agrarians and The Luckiest Nut In The World? These two festival films address sustainable agriculture and fair trade, two food themes that relate ot Taking It Global's monthly newsletter called Dispatch. The June 2005 issue is... [more]
California Students Take To The Streets For Education
Posted on June 16, 2005
The film System Failure highlights how California is spending more money on keeping its youth incarcerated as opposed to educated. Last week, in front of the very elegant Fairmont Hotel in Sillicon Valley, a bunch of fired up students... [more]
U.S Supreme Court Declines Media Ownership Challenges
Posted on June 15, 2005
Have you seen The News Is What We Make It? the claymation characters discover how 7 conglomerates dominate the media lnadscape. On Monday June 13, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear appeals by media companies challenging whether ownership restrictions... [more]
Ratifying the Kyoto Global Warming Treaty
Posted on June 15, 2005
The flash animation Neglected Sky, calls attention to global warming and the need to ensure the Kyoto Protocol is in place. The need and rationale for the People's Ratification of the Kyoto Global Warming Treaty keep getting stronger. Just this... [more]
Coming Out Has Never Been So Difficult
Posted on June 14, 2005
In A Girl Names Kai and Homecoming, two youth encounter hatred and pressure from their peers and family after admitting they are gay. Unfortunately, coming out of the closet is only getting more difficult. Under the current Administration's anti-same-sex marriage... [more]
Demand Universal, Low-cost Internet Access
Posted on June 10, 2005
Have you seen Laptop? This public service announcement reminds us that the divide between the media rich and the media poor is still a pressing issue. But having access to computer training is just the beginning- you need the tools... [more]
Extending the Voting Rights Act
Posted on June 08, 2005
Have you seen Battleground Minnesota? Hip-hop activists Shakademic and Glenn Scott take to the Minnesota streets to raise awareness on voter registration and voting practices before the 2004 elections. But their message is clear: civic engagement is not regulated to... [more]
Parents Worry About Military Recruitement
Posted on June 07, 2005
In the film All That I Can Be William chooses to enlist in the military when he seems to have no other options, especially since his mom passed away. Parents are becoming increasingly concerned of the presence of military recruiters... [more]
Factory Farming Leads to Environmental Devastation
Posted on June 07, 2005
Have you seen Young Agrarians and The Meatrix? These films explore sustainable agriculture as an alternative to factory farming, underscoring both the animal rights and environmental benefits to local small-scale agriculture. A recent report on NPR's Morning Edition, calls attention... [more]
Marin County Bicyclist Seeks Justice for Accident
Posted on June 03, 2005
Have you seen Fast and Reliable? This film about a courageous bike messenger testifies to the damage that reckless drivers can inflict on cyclists and pedestrians. On February 26th, a bicyclist was hit in Marin, CA and the incident left... [more]
Meet The Military Free Zone
Posted on May 24, 2005
The youth-produced film All That I Can Be profiles a teenager who chooses to enroll in the army when he believes he has few other options. The decision to enlist is complex and very personal but recent military recruitment practices... [more]
Gov. Schwarzenegger Meets with Books Not Bars Youth
Posted on May 24, 2005
Have you seen System Failure? This horrifying examination of the California Youth Authority demands urgent reform of the juvenile justice correctional system in California. By Tom Kingston: On May 16th 2005, parents, relatives, youth activists and members of Books Not... [more]
MediaRights is a project of