A global community dedicated to story-driven social change.
Solutions Cinema is a community of storytellers, students and educators committed to filmmaking that fosters public discourse, amplifies solutions to global challenges, and empowers individuals and communities to shape their own future.
Through a series of film screenings and summit-style interactive discussions, we’ll explore story-driven strategies for social change, including how filmmakers, film protagonists and film audiences can each find agency to address inequity and injustice.
Solutions Cinema summit events are hosted by award-winning filmmaker Marjan Safinia.
PART V
Decolonize Now
Five centuries have passed since the fall of the Aztec Empire to the Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés. In that time, nearly every corner of the globe has been touched by the violent, racist legacy of European colonialism. Yet the historical roots of today’s most urgent social crises — from ethnic nationalism to forced migration to entrenched inequality — are often obscured from mainstream narratives about these issues. What does it mean for storytellers to grapple with a centuries-old legacy of harm? How can a deeper understanding of history lead to new forms of power and resistance, particularly for cultures and communities that have been most impacted by colonization?
FILMS
July 30 – August 13
SUMMIT
August 10 | 12:00pm - 1:30pm EDT
Films
499 | Rodrigo Reyes
My Neighbourhood | Julia Bacha and Rebekah Wingert-Jabi
Exodus | Taimoor Sobhan
Lupita | Monica Wise Robles
Confirmed Speakers
Rodrigo Reyes, Director, 499
Julia Bacha, Director, My Neighbourhood
Mohammed el Kurd, Protagonist, My Neighbourhood
Nickey Diamond, Myanmar Human Rights Specialist, Fortify Rights
Season 1
The inaugural Solutions Cinema series has come to a close, but you can still watch the archived Summit conversations through our Vimeo playlist below!
PART I
Power to the People
Democratic institutions are straining around the world. In an era defined by rising inequality, global migration, movements for social justice, and political polarization, what does it mean to practice self-government “of the people, by the people, and for the people”? Who is included in “the people” and who is not? Can we remake existing institutions or build new ones that truly meet their needs? This week’s films profile people attempting to answer these questions through electoral politics, activism, scholarship, policymaking, community organizing, and cooperative enterprise.
FILMS
April 1–10
SUMMIT
April 8 | 12:00pm - 1:30pm EDT
Films
What is Democracy | Astra Taylor
Hamtramck, USA | Razi Jafri, Justin Feltman
(Un)divided | Paul Raila
Artea: Envisioning a World Without Borders | Hibai Arbide Aza, Álvaro Barrantes
Confirmed Speakers
Astra Taylor, Director, What is Democracy?
Delaney Vandergrift
Eleni Perdikouri, Assistant Professor of Philosophy, University of Patras
Mariah Parker, Athens-Clarke County Commissioner, Georgia
Moderator: Chenjerai Kumanyika, Rutgers University
PART II
The Ground Truth
Storytelling has the power to shape the lives of individuals, communities and even whole societies. Stories can be a tool of both repression and resistance. So what happens when those on the margins of society use storytelling to speak truth to power? How does reframing narratives create a new understanding of our past, present and future? This week’s films feature courageous women who defy intimidation and threats of violence to shine a light on injustice in their communities.
FILMS
April 8–17
SUMMIT
April 15th | 12:00pm - 1:30pm EDT
Films
Writing with Fire | Rintu Thomas, Sushmit Ghosh
Cherán: The Burning Hope | Elpida Nikou, Rodrigo Hernandez
Confirmed Speakers
Sushmit Ghosh, Director-Producer, Writing with Fire
Rintu Thomas, Director-Producer, Writing with Fire
Meera Devi, Protagonist, Writing with Fire
Rodrigo Hernández, Co-Director, Cherán: The Burning Hope
Moderator: Raney Aronson-Rath, Executive Producer, FRONTLINE
PART III
No Planet B
The reality of climate change is now impossible to ignore, but powerful governments and industries have yet to embrace the bold solutions that will be required to mitigate its worst effects. How can people hold their governments accountable to addressing what has become an existential threat, particularly for future generations? What role can youth play in challenging the status quo and fighting for their future wellbeing?
FILMS
April 15–24
SUMMIT
April 22nd | 12:00pm - 1:30pm EDT
Films
Youth v Gov | Christi Cooper
We the Power | David Byars
The Water Queen | Lungelo Mdlalose
Running Dry: Karachi's Water Crisis | Mariya Karimjee and Haya Fatima Iqbal
Confirmed Speakers
Christi Cooper, Director, Youth v Gov
Julia Olson, Executive Director & Chief Legal Counsel, Our Children's Trust
Haana Edenshaw, Activist & Plaintiff, La Rose v. Her Majesty The Queen
Kristy Drutman, Activist & Host, Brown Girl Green Podcast
Moderator: Vic Barrett, Activist & Plaintiff, Juliana v US
PART IV
A Year of Reckoning
As the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the globe, it exposed underlying social crises that long predated the virus—from systemic racism and xenophobia to entrenched inequities in education, healthcare and labor. But this time of “social distancing” has also been marked by a new wave of collective action through organizing and protest. What has the pandemic revealed about our societies and what has it taught us about the possibility of change? Where do we go from here?
FILMS
April 22–May 1
SUMMIT
April 29th | 12:00pm - 1:30pm EDT
Films
Homeroom | Peter Nicks
The Invisibles | Diana Ferrero, Carola Mamberto
Confirmed Speakers
Peter Nicks, Director, Homeroom
Denilson Garibo, Homeroom
How to Participate
It is free to participate in Solutions Cinema! Screening tickets will be available beginning April 1. You will be able to watch the film(s) on your computer, or through the Eventive app on your AppleTV or Roku. If you have a question, problem connecting, or to find out more about system requirements, please visit the Eventive FAQ page here.
The weekly Summit Sessions will be held on Zoom. Details will be sent to your inbox after you register!
CART captioning is available at all Solutions Cinema summit events.
ABOUT POINTS NORTH INSTITUTE
The Points North Institute is the launching pad for the next generation of nonfiction storytellers. We build creative communities of media artists and audiences, through immersive experiences where stories and talent are developed, collaborations are born, and the future of nonfiction is shaped. Our programs include the Camden International Film Festival and year-round artist support initiatives that nurture the careers of diverse nonfiction storytellers and help them develop a stronger artistic voice.
ABOUT DOHA DEBATES
Doha Debates unites, empowers and inspires younger people to become impassioned, informed leaders. We are inspired by Majlis-style debates, which are designed to bridge differences, build consensus and identify solutions to urgent global issues. Through live debates and shows, podcasts, interactive games, newsletters and other written work, videos, educational curriculum, social media initiatives and more, we amplify diverse perspectives and practical solutions that can work across distances and differences.
INTERESTED IN BECOMING A SOLUTIONS CINEMA PARTNER?
We’d love to hear from you! Send us a note at solutionscinema@pointsnorthinstitute.org.