Gender Equality United States Project #31285

Reel Women Real Change: Stories, Advocacy, Impact

by p.h. balanced films

Reel Women Real Change: Stories, Advocacy, Impact

Summary

In 2023, we are rebooting our workshops to equip women changemakers to harness the power of story to advocate for justice. Our programming shares best practices in storytelling, advocacy, and bridging divides, while building community, preventing burnout, and providing mentorship. If you care about equity and appreciate the fact that stories power change and stories change power, join us in creating a world in which important stories promote positive change.

$100,000
total goal

$83,829
remaining

63
donors

1
monthly donor

1
fundraiser

5
years

Challenge

Even well-intentioned public policy fails when it is not well-informed. But when policy centers the people it will impact, we all win. Our program equips those at the frontlines of the communications efforts that inform policy across the country and around the world: women. The four pillars of our curriculum are: storytelling; advocacy (including working with filmmakers); bridging divides; and professional pacing. Each cohort builds community and all graduates are matched with a mentor.

Solution

Recognizing that stories power change and stories change power, our programming connects potential advocates with the tools they need to bridge divides and create change. Our Reel Women Real Change workshops are designed specifically for women who utilize storytelling as a platform to advocate for social change. Our holistic approach, including pacing and mentorship, ensures smart storytelling strategy from beginning to end. In 2023, we are moving from volunteer-based to full-time.

Long-Term Impact

While policy can change in the stroke of a pen, the process of winning political support can take decades. While video can be shot and uploaded in minutes, effective advocacy strategy to influence social change, including via film, can take years. Our curriculum and mentorship programming support our participants over the long term, both personally and professionally. We are amplifying more women and girl's voices to, in turn, amplify community stories and inform policy around the world.