author. speaker. motivator.
Affectionately known as "America's #1 Success Coach," Jack Canfield is the originator of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series and a leading authority in the areas of self-esteem, achievement motivation, and peak performance. [www.jackcanfield.com]
political powerhouse. media mogul. author.
Arianna Huffington is the co-founder and Editor in Chief of the Huffington Post and the author of twelve books. [www.huffingtonpost.com]
author. speaker. linchpin.
Seth Godin is a prominent author, blogger and speaker. [www.squidoo.com/linchpin]
yogi. philanthropist. dynamic teacher.
Krishna Kaur is the founder of YOGA for Youth, a program that takes yoga, meditation, and stimulating discussions on the philosophy of yoga to urban youth. [www.yogaforyouth.org]
producer. philanthropist. tv legend.
Norman Lear has enjoyed a long career in television and film. He is also a political and social activist and philanthropist. [www.normanlear.com]
race car driver. activist. carbon free girl.
Leilani Münter is a professional race car driver and an environmental activist who uses her voice in the number one spectator sport in America as a catalyst for change. [www.leilanimunter.com]
Freedom Fighter. Philanthropist. Game Changer.
By going undercover to meet slaves and slaveholders, Kevin Bales exposed modern slavery's penetration into the global economy. He co-founded Free the Slaves, which has helped to liberate thousands of slaves. [www.freetheslaves.net]
mom. big dreamer. lady in red.
Sophie Chiche, lifebyme.com founder and curator, enjoys asking deep questions and living a life of meaning. Today she's launching Shape House, an urban sweat lodge, a place to melt away fears and fat. [www.shapehousela.com]
Writer. Entrepreneur. Daily Lover.
Entrepreneur and writer Mastin Kipp founded TheDailyLove.com, which merges pop culture with inspiration, and co-founded The Love Yourself Company, an apparel company that has started a global self-esteem movement. [www.TheDailyLove.com]
singer. musician. crier.
Liz Phair is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist. [www.lizphair.com]
archbishop. author. peaceful leader.
Archbishop Desmond Tutu is Chairman of The Elders, a group of world leaders who address some of the world's most pressing problems. He works energetically for human-rights and in his ministry. [www.tutu.org]
author. ceo. humanitarian.
Zainab Salbi is the founder and CEO of Women for Women International, a group dedicated to helping women survivors of war rebuild their lives. [www.womenforwomen.org]
speaker. psychotherapist. life embracer.
Despite his physical challenges, Sean Stephenson has taken a stand for a quality of life that has inspired millions of people around the world. He's a professional speaker, psychotherapist, and author. [www.timetostand.com]
yogi. meditator. teacher.
Kia Miller teaches Yoga at Yoga Works in Los Angeles, leads teacher trainings, and runs retreats and workshops on meditation, chakras, pranayam, and mantras, and other practices. [www.kiamiller.com]
creator. writer. idea geek.
Simon Mainwaring is an ex-Nike/Wieden creative, former Worldwide Creative Director at Motorola/Ogilvy, branding/advertising writer, author/speaker/blogger, Australian, idea geek. [www.simonmainwaring.com]
Strategist. Writer. Life Coach.
Shannon Bindler is a style editor, life coach, and the co-founder of Get Up Girl, an empowerment company that inspires women to shine. [www.getupgirl.com]
Designer. Art Director. Passionate Creator.
Grammy-nominated art director/designer/photographer Mathieu Bitton has designed over 450 CDs and movie posters. He's a renowned collector of and authority on black films and their soundtracks. [www.candytangerine.com]
Agent. Producer. Photography Enthusiast.
Opus Reps founder and agent-producer Jorge Perez travels the world producing photo shoots with great photographers and celebrities. He's also very involved with Meals on Wheels in Los Angeles. www.opusreps.com
cause cinema
Jon Fitzgerald
conscious filmmaker. change advocate. action inspirer.
Jon Fitzgerald is a filmmaker, film festival director, and author. Through CineCause, he connects socially relevant films to related causes. [www.cinecause.com]
Movies, documentaries, and media in general are the biggest tools we can use to influence change. Films educate people about what’s going on in the world. They invite all of us to get involved and make a difference.
We’re on the cusp of something great here. People are becoming more and more aware of film’s influence. A lot of people are really excited by the idea of connecting films to social causes. Take Brian Wendel, for example. He was in commercial real estate but wanted to make a difference in the world by educating people about nutrition. What did he do? He made a movie that’s having a huge impact.
A good film can captivate an audience, but what happens when the film is over? The issues raised in the film To Kill a Mockingbird may prompt a major discussion in a high school class, but then bell rings and students go on with their day. A film may have an emotional impact, but that doesn’t always translate into action.
After watching an inspiring film, audiences are often motivated to do something to help. After all, most people get satisfaction from making a difference, whether by donating a dollar or donating some time. Unfortunately, they’re frequently left not knowing what to do to help, so they continue on with their lives and the film’s impact fades.
Through my crazy, nonlinear journey of filmmaking, I’ve come to the conclusion that socially relevant films need a platform. I’ve taken my passion to the next level and developed a portal that helps the power of film affect change in the world. Now I work to combine the energy and inspiration of the cinema with a call to action, giving people different ways to participate and get involved. We’re building a community for positive change. Together we can make a difference.
– Jon Fitzgerald
Explore More Meaning
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photographer. connecter. meditator.
Barbara Gluck is an award-winning photographer. She co-founded The Light Institute of Galisteo, which puts people in touch with their Divine Higher Self and multidimensional levels of consciousness. [www.BarbaraGluck.com]
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insightful author. curious explorer. obstacle conqueror.
Dennis N.T. Perkins is the author of Into the Storm and Leading at The Edge. He is CEO of The Syncretics Group, a consulting firm dedicated to helping leaders and teams thrive under conditions of adversity, uncertainty, and change. [http://www.syncreticsgroup.com]
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musical storyteller. inspired singer. life sharer.
Risa Binder is a Brooklyn-based singer/songwriter. Her debut album "Paper Heart" was released last February and has been spotlighted by Entertainment Tonight, Billboard, and the Wall Street Journal. [risabinder.com]
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Yoga Teacher. Storyteller. Recovery Expert.
Tommy Rosen is an expert in addiction and recovery, a gifted storyteller, and a certified yoga teacher. He helps people live more fulfilling, healthier lives.
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grateful student. generous teacher. unionizer.
Kira Ryder is grateful for all her teachers and the teachings that have been shared with her. One of Yoga Journal’s Top Teachers Shaping the Future of Yoga in America, her teaching emphasizes tuning into the alignment within your own heart. [www.lulubandhas.com]
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entertainment ceo. human spirit student. gift giver.
Demian Lichenstein is a filmmaker, author, and the CEO of Equilibrium Entertainment. His pursuits in the world of entertainment are matched only by his passion for learning about the human spirit. [www.discoverthegift.com]
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strategist. speaker. catalyst for change.
Tracey Trottenberg is a business and leadership coach and an international speaker. She founded Amazing Women International, which connects and educates women leaders throughout the world. [www.traceytrottenberg.net]
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full-time monk. compassionate mentor. instrument of growth.
Rasanath Dasa went from being an investment banker on Wall Street to being a monk of the Bhakti tradition. He draws his spiritual wisdom from a wide range of personal experiences. [www.gitanyc.com]
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