Category: Working Films News

Working Films Announces Departure of Co-Director Molly Murphy After Two and a Half Decades of Dedicated Service

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Today, we announce the departure of co-director Molly Murphy from the Working Films team. Molly has been part of Working Films since 2001, starting as the organization’s first full-time staff member. Reflecting on her years of service, Molly observed, “The need for independent storytelling, civic imagination, and movement-centered narrative change has never been greater, and … Continued

Come on In: Building Spaces People Want to Join

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How can film screenings become the welcoming spaces organizers need: places where people feel invited in, and leave feeling like they belong? In this conversation, Working Films’ Director of Campaigns and Strategy, Andy Myers, chats with Daniel Solorzano with Amanecer in El Paso, Texas and Warren Tidwell with Alabama Center for Rural Organizing and Systemic … Continued

Announcing the 2026 Impact Kickstart Cohort!

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Now in its eighth year, Working Films’ Impact Kickstart resources underrepresented documentary filmmakers to develop and implement impact campaigns that meaningfully engage audiences, partners, and supporters. This year, three incredible film teams have been selected to receive $20,000 each in impact campaign funding, along with in-kind partnership and strategy development from Working Films, and participation … Continued

Get to Know the 2025 Rural Cinema Cohort

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At its heart, Rural Cinema is about harnessing the power of story to drive change. The program trains environmental justice organizers to use film as a tool to bring people together, spark meaningful conversations, and inspire action on the challenges their communities face. With hands-on training, access to films, and funding to host their own … Continued

Impact Kickstart 2026: Call For Applications

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For a documentary film to make a difference, a solid strategy for audience engagement and strong partnerships are key. Filmmakers often lack time to do this work themselves or the expertise and resources to make an impact campaign happen. Emerging filmmakers and underrepresented filmmakers can face the biggest hurdles, despite the immense potential of their … Continued

Story Leads to Community: Ava Auen-Ryan, Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement

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How do film screenings build community in rural and small towns? Andy Myers, Director of Campaigns and Strategy, chats with Ava Auen-Ryan, community organizer with Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement (Iowa CCI). They discuss how relationship building is at the center of rural organizing. Leading with intentionality, organizers can use the power of story and … Continued

KPFA’s Resistance in Residence Artist: Colette Ghunim

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The mission of law & disorder is to expose, agitate and build a new world where all of us can thrive. But how do we get there? How do we build a world many of us have only seen in our dreams? That’s where we believe the artists come in. So, each week we feature … Continued

2025 Works-in-Progress Lab Recipients

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The Cucalorus Works-in-Progress (WiP) Lab supports social justice documentaries with a focus on Black storytelling. Co-designed and coordinated by Working Films, participating artists will receive feedback on their work-in-progress and explore audience engagement strategies through workshops, consultations, and community screenings during a residency at Cucalorus’ campus from April 22-29, 2025. Now in its 17th year, the Works-in-Progress Lab … Continued

Works-in-Progress Lab Opens Its Doors to the Public for the First Time

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For the first time ever, Cucalorus and Working Films are inviting the public to experience the 2025 Works-in-Progress Lab—an immersive residency that champions independent filmmakers telling powerful stories of social justice. Taking place April 22-29, 2025, at Jengo’s Playhouse in downtown Wilmington, the Lab provides hands-on guidance in audience engagement and accountable storytelling. Each evening, … Continued

Celebrate Working Films’ 25th in San Francisco

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Join Working Films and some of your favorite storytellers and changemakers for a one-of-a-kind evening in San Francisco. Enjoy delicious appetizers, drinks, and the company of fellow filmmakers, artists, and changemakers as we come together to celebrate 25 years of documentary impact and set our sights on the future. This inspiring gathering will feature co-hosts … Continued