Can you share some of the key films you are releasing this fall that you think would resonate with librarians/educators?
- This is Not Financial Advice -- An award-winning feature length documentary that exposes the risks and rewards of today's market through expert commentary and the anxiety-inducing stories of real people trying to make millions. Called a "thought-provoking masterpiece" by the Washington Post, the film is now available on Kanopy and has made strides in advancing financial education among high school and college students through partnerships with Next Gen Personal Finance, the National Endowment for Financial Education, and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.
- Abundance: The Farmlink Story -- An award-winning documentary that follows a group of college students who catalyze a national movement to end hunger in the United States. The short documentary world premiered in front of Congress, has been screened at over 50+ in person film festivals, conferences, and events, and through fundraising efforts has helped The Farmlink Project move over 20 million lbs of food to communities in need.
- Champions of the Golden Valley -- An inspiring ski story set in the mountainous region of Afghanistan that also delves into the complex journey of becoming a refugee, exploring themes of home, community, and the power of sports to bring people together. The film team is partnered with the International Rescue Committee, Women for Afghan Women, and other great organizations to help viewers learn more about how they can support the refugee community.
Will any of your films come with educational resources or guides that teachers can use in conjunction with the film?
- Yes! This is Not Financial Advice has actually been re-edited into shorter film modules, and we've partnered with Next Gen Personal Finance to create bespoke viewing/discussion guides for each module. These can be accessed through the Educator Portal on the film's website.
How do you accommodate institutions with varying budget levels?
We are very flexible when it comes to budget and never want cost to deter a school or teacher from sharing our films and resources with students. We have standard film license fees for most of our films, as well as speaking engagement fees if a school wants to host a virtual or in-person Q&A or keynote with the film's directors, who are also the co-founders of Optimist. We can always adjust these fees to work with the school's budget; and if there is no budget, we can also get creative and make it work!
What are the best films for college campus screenings that promote student engagement and discussion?
We're particularly excited about bringing This is Not Financial Advice to college campuses, as we're in the middle of a Financial Education Tour in partnership with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). Using the film as a centerpiece, our goal is to empower and equip students to become smart investors and improve their relationship with money. For each event, we screen the film (*a newly edited 60 min version) and have a 30-min post-film discussion with the film's director and a representative from FINRA. If any colleges are interested in exploring this type of engagement, we encourage you to reach out to samantha@optimist.co.
How do you envision your films contributing to long-term educational goals or initiatives in schools?
We believe film has the power to incite real, positive change in the world – to inspire empathy and nurture optimism. One of the places we see this most vibrantly is in the classroom, where students are eager to experience the world in new ways and sharpen their sense of purpose. Our films and their accompanying resources can supplement, or complement, the amazing work and curricula that teachers are already leading. Specifically, we have seen our films spark critical thinking, increase feelings of empathy and the desire to help others, inspire global and cultural curiosity, and introduce, challenge and change perspectives on social issues from gender equity to immigration. Ultimately, our films offer authentic, human stories that resonate with audiences everywhere -- particularly young people -- and inspire them to step into their roles as agents of change.
How can your films engage students, and what themes or topics do you think will resonate with them?
First and foremost, our films are compelling and well-made; they have been released on Netflix, HBO, PBS, National Geographic, The Atlantic (and more) and have won awards at film festivals around the world. Our films are also accessible -- we have found that audiences really relate to and connect with the people and communities we spotlight; they feel invested in their stories and want to learn more and get involved. Our films span the following topics, modeled lightly after the UN's sustainability goals, all of which I believe students and teachers will find worthwhile: civic engagement, criminal justice, financial empowerment, food access, gender equity, migration, sustainability.
What can you share about any exciting projects or films slated for release in 2025 that our readers should be aware of?
- In 2025, we'll be focused on leading an education screening tour with Champions of the Golden Valley, as well continuing our Financial Education Tour with FINRA.
- We will be upgrading our educational materials and experiences for each of our previous films, starting with our first documentary, Living on One Dollar.
- We will be finding new ways to make all of our films and their resources more readily and freely available to teachers.
- We will build a new version of our recently launched Education Site, specifically tailored for teachers.
- We will publish our first annual impact report, adapted and updated from our recently published 10 year impact report.