Reel Women Real Change: Stories, Advocacy, Impact

Have you ever intended to tell someone something and thought about it so often that you were positive you'd already told them... only it turns out you hadn't? That happened just now when I began this quarterly update, only to realize that the last time I wrote you was in November after the Austin Film Festival, which means I've not yet wished you, wonderful GlobalGiving supporter, a happy 2023 - nor have I shared some BIG NEWS for p.h. balanced films.

As we turned the calendar on 2022, I detailed this change in full on Medium (<-- that is a "friend link" meaning it won't count against the monthly 5 article limit for non-members). In short, I have returned to p.h. balanced films full-time to grow us from a 100% volunteer-run effort into a fully-funded, justice-centered, and sustainable organization. I'm in the midst of foundational conversations with women in the fields of advocacy, communications, and film to inform how we reboot Reel Women Real Change in a U.S. setting. While I am not drawing a salary (living without rent or mortgage makes that possible), we are able to cover current expenses thanks to your generosity.

We have exciting developments ahead in 2023 and I look forward to sharing more in future updates! If you have questions or would like to learn more in the interim, please contact me anytime: piper@phbalancedfilms.org

With gratitude,

Piper

Did you know that the preeminent film writers festival takes place each year in the heart of Texas? Founded in 1994, the Austin Film Festival champions the work of writers who use written and visual language to tell a story. The festival has grown into a gathering of storytellers in multiple mediums from around the world - and we at p.h. balanced films were delighted to be part of this year's festivities. 

Last Friday, I joined Ed Neumeier, writer of Robocop and Starship Troopers, and Robert Rippberger, founder of the SIE (Social Impact Entertainment) Society, for a panel moderated by William Nix, CEO of Creative Projects Group. Together, we tackled the topic of telling a story for positive impact without being preachy. With that description, it tickled me that the venue for our session was a church sanctuary.

Whether in a church, a hotel conference room, or an outdoor park loaded with creative thinkers noshing on vegan cheese while waiting in line for Texas BBQ, the conversations at the festival left me inspired and more certain than ever of a decision I'm delighted to share with you as a supporter of p.h. balanced films' Reel Women Real Change (RWRC) program:

After three years leading communications at a research, policy, and advocacy organization and supporting RWRC as a passion project, I'll be returning to p.h. balanced films full time in 2023. Between the success of our RWRC workshops to date and the opportunity to support more women changemakers in an era when the world so deeply needs positive change, I know now is the time to make this move.

It's an exciting time and I appreciate your support! I look forward to the work ahead and sharing progress with you along the way.

Dear friend of women changemakers, 

You and I both know that living through the past several years of a global pandemic has been tough - really tough. And you and I both know that while we have many blessings to count, the world isn't the fair, just, and peaceful place we'd like for it to be. People talk, understandably, about being "tired of living in unprecedented times." Well, at p.h. balanced films, we've decided to shift our unprecedented program to a hybrid format to respond to these times.

We'll still be focused on supporting women changemakers.

We'll still include best practices in storytelling, advocacy, and keeping one's "batteries charged" over the long haul.

We'll still match our graduates with mentors carefully selected to match their needs. 

We're adding a component to our curriculum specifically focused on building bridges across ideological and cultural divides. 

And we're building an interactive, online version of our program so we can reach women around the world, come what may with travel and global health. 

We have big plans in store. This will not be a quick undertaking, but it will be 100% worth it.

If you'd like to know more, please connect with me anytime. Otherwise, I look forward to sharing more via GlobalGiving in the months ahead!

With gratitude,

Piper

Dear supporter of Reel Women Real Change, 

Two years ago, the COVID-19 pandemic hit the brakes on our next international sessions of Reel Women Real Change (RWRC). We pivoted and, with your support, helped several organizations and individuals who share our belief that "stories power change and stories change power." Now, as we've seen the success of online programming and hybrid engagements that mix in-person meetings with learning done online, we see an exciting opportunity for our RWRC workshops and mentorship.

As we plan this transition, we seek support in online curriculum development with a focus on adult learners. If you know someone with this experience who would be interested in supporting a program that serves women changemakers who want to use storytelling, including film, to impact their community and promote a more fair, just, and equitable world, please let us know: info@phbalancedfilms.org

We look forward to sharing updates with you in the months ahead!

Best,

Piper

Greetings supporters of women storytellers and advocates,

We hope this message finds you healthy and hopeful as we move into a holiday season. As you may recall, we'd paused our operations at the onset of the global pandemic and turned to providing microgrants to other organizations and individual artists who shared our focus on social justice and supporting women.

As the world continues to adapt and we see a hybrid of in-person and online opportunities become a "new norm," we are determining a best fit for our Reel Women Real Change workshops in 2022. We look forward to sharing more with you in our next update!

With gratitude,

Piper & the team at p.h. balanced films