SOLD-OUT MASTERCLASS HIGHLIGHTS TRANSFORMATIVE POWER OF STORYTELLING

Last month, MPI hosted a human rights-based masterclass alongside the Sundance Film Festival. The sold-out event, co-sponsored by Snowday, Tabu Filmz, and ACG Wealth, Inc. and led by MPI vice president of development Lana Link, explored how storytellers can use film to profile human rights issues such as human trafficking and spark social change for human rights. around those issues.

The event’s featured speakers included:

• Brooke Axtell, founder and director of She is Rising, a healing community for women and girls overcoming rape, abuse, and sex-trafficking;
• Dr. SJ Murray, Baylor professor, Emmy-nominated filmmaker, pioneer in the field of story design, and award-winning writer, director, and producer;
• Conroy Kanter, president and founder of KK Ranch Productions, CEO of anti-trafficking organization Trafficked, LLC, and director of independent drama Trafficked; and
• Tiffany Kieran, director of interactive programing and partnerships at EarthxFilm.

Following the masterclass, Brooke Axtell treated our filmmakers to a special musical performance.

Attendees gave the event a 9.8/10 rating and raved:

“Everyone on the panel illuminated such important and often neglected foundations of storytelling and its power. I was moved, deeply. Thank you.

“Wow. That was by far the most impactful event Ii’ve been to in years. More please!

“An incredible, intentional event that upholds the true spirit of Sundance. Bravo!

“Seriously considering changing the focus of my next film to a topic that creates social change.

Want to attend MPI masterclasses? Apply here.