Change the Narrative with New American Stories of Us: Fueling Civic Connection via Film

Описание: How do stories shape who feels they belong and who shows up for civic life? (RESOURCES BELOW)

Watch this webinar to hear from Steven Olikara of ‪@BridgeEntertainmentLabs‬ how film and storytelling can strengthen civic engagement, elevate pluralistic narratives, and spark meaningful dialogue across differences.

At a time of deep polarization, many people are asking how culture, media, and storytelling can help rebuild trust, shared identity, and participation in our democracy. In this conversation, we unpack how to move people from passive consumption to active civic connection.

You’ll learn:
How Bridge Entertainment Labs is building a movement within the entertainment industry to shift culture and foster civic connection;
Storytelling principles that inspire curiosity, embrace complexity, and encourage connection and healthy conflict in the stories that are created and shared;
Why film, television, and cultural storytelling are powerful tools for civic engagement and social cohesion; and
Key lessons and replicable strategies for organizations seeking to shift narratives and inspire participation.

This webinar is ideal for anyone interested in civic engagement, strategic communications, public relations, cultural change, ethical advocacy, nonprofit leadership, philanthropy, or storytelling for social impact.

#civicengagement #publicinterestcommunication #storytelling

RESOURCES:
Learn more about ‪@BridgeEntertainmentLabs‬: https://bridgeentertainmentlabs.org
For storytelling tips: https://bridgeentertainmentlabs.org/s...
Discover ‪@ListenfirstprojectOrg‬'s Better Together Film Festival (scroll down the page): https://www.conversation.us/campaigns
Learn about ‪@FutureCaucus‬: https://futurecaucus.org
Hear why Stories Change Power is looking to Brazil to expand civic imagination:    • The Brazilian Blueprint: Expanding Civic I...  
What is the difference between story and narrative? https://www.storieschangepower.org/po...
Find past webinars, including January 2026's with ‪@NationalIssuesForum‬ about the What's Next, America? campaign: https://www.storieschangepower.org/re...
Find future webinars, including about narrative work: https://www.storieschangepower.org/pr...

FROM PARTICIPANTS IN THE WEBINAR CHAT:
"Popshift's IP List is a great source for stories coming from more regional news media sources: https://popshift.org/ip-list/ " (see more at ‪@pathoslabs759‬ )
"[S]trategies for journalists/storytellers on strengthening civic culture through stronger stories of “we”: https://citizenuniversity.us/news/civ... "
Chloé Zhao also cast real people in Nomadland. As did Adam Meeks with Union County (which debuted at ‪@sundancefilmfestival‬ this year).
This go-to resource about complicating the narrative by ‪@SolutionsJournalism‬ : https://thewholestory.solutionsjourna...
And a toolkit for Complicating the Narrative: CTN Tool Kit: https://www.solutionsjournalism.org/l...
- ‪@bridgeallianceus5150‬ offers a News Ambassadors program. Sign up here for future trainings: https://forms.gle/R2DZ7SFacupxLeNAA

SHOWS AND FILMS FOR YOUR TO-WATCH LIST:
From ‪@Sony‬: https://www.sonyclassics.com/film/eas...
The Re-United States on ‪@PBSSoCal‬: https://www.pbssocal.org/shows/reunit...
Blood Diamond: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0450259/

More on democracy narratives from ‪@harmonylabs‬ https://harmonylabs.org/project/democ...