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Highlights
In January of 2003, more than 240 creative artists and funders assembled in Sundance Village, Utah to strategize ways to transform the mass media industry to stimulate more positive social change. Coinciding with the opening of the Sundance Film Festival, this first-ever conference, entitled "Investing in Media that Matters", drew a groundswell of interest from commercial and independent film as well as from television executives, producers, directors, screenwriters, creative artists, angel investors, venture capitalists, and foundations. Throughout three days on convenings, they took a think-tank approach to the challenge of funding, marketing, and distributing visionary social mission entertainment in American cinema and television. They collectively recognized that socially responsible entertainment can raise the public's consciousness and awareness of important social issues while presenting money-making opportunities that attract wide audiences.
"Investing in Media that Matters" was the vision of Spartacus Media Enterprises which co-hosted this "standing-room only" event with Investors' Circle, the nation's only national social mission angel network, and the Hollywood-respected Environmental Media Association.
For more information:
Event Snapshots:
Click pictures for an enlargement.
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Co-hosts Carol Atwood (CEO, Spartacus Media Enterprises), Debbie Levin (Executive Director, Environmental Media Association), and Woody Tasch (Chairman, Investors' Circle) join actor Robert Redford after he welcomes 240 attendees to Sundance Village, the home of Redford's Sundance Institute and Sundance Film Festival.
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Actor and environmentalist Ed Begley Jr. meets with Ben Cohen (Co-founder, Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream) to discuss their shared interest in advancing feature films and television shows that entertain as well as inform viewer about issues of relevance to society. |
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Debbie Levin, Executive Director of the Environmental Media Association, congratulates Pierce Brosnan on his inspiring keynote speech. While known primarily for his role as "James Bond", Brosnan has expanded into social mission media with Evelyn, a feature film based on a true story about Desmond Doyle's fight against the Family Act of 1941, an Irish law that essentially deprived single fathers of the right to care for their children. Brosnan starred in Evelyn which was recently released by his production company, Irish Dreamtime.
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Luncheon keynoter Carla Shamberg, Executive Producer of Erin Brockovich, shares stories about the challenges she faced as a new producer. "Erin Brockovich is one of those films that prove you can make an entertaining and financially successful Hollywood movie that is both socially and environmentally relevant," Shamberg commented.
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Robert Greenwald, producer and director of over 35 socially themed films including the made-for-television movie The Crooked E, shares words of wisdom as a conference panelist. Joining Greenwald are Carl Folta, Senior vice President of Viacom; Sheryl Leach, creator of "Barney"; and Alec Lorimore, Producer of IMAX films Dolphins and Everest. |
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Jim Kearns, screenwriter of the blockbuster hit John Q, speaks about the challenges of scriptwriting as he shares the stage with Paula Silver (marketing adviser to "My Big Fat Greek Wedding"), Bill Gerber (Producer/Former President, Warner Brothers Worldwide Theatrical Production), and Ray Halbritter (CEO/Representative of Oneida Indian Nation). |
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Actors Harry Hamlin (LA Law, Clash of the Titans), Ed Begley, Jr. (Batman Forever, Best in Show, Six Feet Under) and Frances Fisher (Titanic) discuss their like-minded commitment to advancing an environmental agenda through the media.
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Pierce Brosnan pauses to speak with a young performer of an American Indian drumming group that entertained conference attendees.
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John Norris, MTV news correspondent, and Stephen Friedman, MTV Vice President, celebrate the successful live satellite interview of Walter Cronkite. Norris' adept interviewing skills and Mr. Cronkite's articulated views on the role of media in advancing social issues made for a stimulating dialogue.
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Robert Redford enjoys the fireside reception after urging attendees to take more meaningful action after the conference's conclusion.
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Award-winning director Louis Schwartzberg shares a light moment with Patie Maloney, publicist for Environmental Media Association, and actor Pierce Brosnan during the live auction that benefited the work of Investors' Circle and the Environmental Media Association.
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Walter Cronkite responds (via live feed) to questions from interviewer John Norris, MTV news correspondent, during the Thursday morning breakfast kick-off. |
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Pierce Brosnan explains the importance of the theme of his new film entitled Evelyn, an epic tale of one man's ability to change a nation's view on a parenting.
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