CURRENT PROJECTS WE AIM TO SUPPORT

Voices in a Jailhouse: The Larry Yarbrough Story | Documentary Film
Despite compelling evidence of racism, police misconduct and jury tampering Larry Yarbrough was wrongly convicted in 1997 of nonviolent drug charges and sentenced to life in prison. Larry, his family, friends and loyal supporters would not allow Larry to die in prison however and would commit themselves for over to two decades to rightly gain back Larry’s freedom. You can read the pitch deck here.

Vanish Mode | Documentary Film
A documentary about the present day drug epidemic imperiling the lives of America’s youth. A family seeks answers and healing after the untimely death of their son while a Rolling Stone magazine journalist investigates the link between the social media giant Snapchat and rampant fentanyl poisoning. You can read the pitch deck here.

UNRWA: The Untold Story | Documentary Film
For those who care about peace in the Middle East, the story of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) holds within it a fundamental key towards understanding the obstacles against achieving that goal. How did UNRWA, what was supposed to have been a temporary agency, become a proxy of violence? This documentary helps explain how UNRWA, by betraying its humanitarian charter as it failed to achieve its true mission, became a political weapon in the hands of extremists who reject any and all peaceful solutions. You can read the pitch deck here.

Troubled Water | Documentary Series
Based on the acclaimed book by noted author Seth M. Siegel, Troubled Water is an explosive exploration of the critical water issues affecting the world today. The series will examine the many challenges - from droughts to floods, water pollution to water scarcity - facing communities and ecosystems around the globe. The series will also feature scientists and advocates who are working to find solutions to these pressing issues. A copy of Seth’s incredibly insightful book can be purchased here.

Sun Seekers | Documentary Series
Based on author Lyra Kilston's acclaimed book, this three-part docuseries tells the little-known story of how California started to become a world-renowned source of wellness culture beginning as early as the late 19th century. As the recognition grew, so did the beacon of sun-drenched Southern California as a locus for unorthodox thinking about healthy living - from diet and fitness fads to celebrated modern architecture. The growing city's seductive climate and untamed nature lured waves of all types of resident newcomers, from health-seekers to iconoclasts to dropouts, who were all seeking antidotes to physical and civilizational ailments. A copy of Lyra’s marvelous book can be purchased here.

Sacred Water | Documentary Film
In this modern Western set against the Colorado River crisis, the CRIT Indian tribes of Parker, Arizona adopt cutting-edge drip irrigation technology to conserve water — and save their agrarian way of life. The tribes’ decision puts them in conflict with existing farming and political interests, while offering an innovative solution to save the Colorado River. You can read the pitch deck here.

Of Night and Light | Documentary Film
Sharing the previously unknown, and astounding, story of what might be one of the most “a-ha” scientific breakthroughs our generation we learn about a New York City kid, Howard Lotsof, who back in 1962 discovered that the root bark of an obscure West African shrub, Iboga, holds extraordinary therapeutic potential. Together with his wife Norma, they’ve dedicated their lives for over the past 50 years to getting medical and governmental organizations to research, and approve, Iboga’s therapeutic benefits. Along with the trials, there have also been triumphs as Ibogaine has helped emancipate over 100,000 people from addiction and PTSD.

Oceans: A Climate Crisis | Documentary Series
A seven part docuseries providing in-depth look at the dramatic effects from climate change on earth’s most precious resource, this series takes us on journey explaining complex science in an easy-to-understand, straightforward way with stunning cinematography, graphics and an original score and music. Numerous experts within their scientific fields will also give us a diverse range of perspectives which make each episode compelling, educational and insightful. You can read the pitch deck here.

Last Orange Grove | Documentary Film
Beginning in the very early part of the 20th century to the present day, the Lindley F. Bothwell Ranch is a 14-acre commercial citrus orchard nestled in the foothills of Los Angeles' San Fernando Valley - once one of the greatest producers of agriculture in the nation. But Bothwell Ranch soon may be lost forever to developers of luxury homes, ending the valley's bitter saga from verdant farms to suburban sprawl. Will L.A.'s last bit of its rich agricultural history be bulldozed, or is there still hope for the last orange grove to be saved by local citizens? You can view the trailer here.

The Last Generation | Documentary Film Short
Featuring a group of teens who venture out on a powerful journey of discovery, this short documentary film chronicles interviews with Holocaust survivors by these teens who learn about the profound resilience of its victims, the pervasive threat of antisemitism, then and now, and how it's possible to find hope and compassion even in the darkest of times. You can read the pitch deck here.

John F#&%ing Caldwell: Wine Smuggler | Documentary Film
This is the story of John Caldwell, the unsung hero of Napa Valley who, while in pursuit of the impossible dream of making the best bottle of wine in the world, saved the Valley from plague and changed the industry thanks to the vines from France that he illegally smuggled into the country in 1982. This film tells the true story of smuggling, corruption, insect plagues, stolen legacies and the pursuit of perfection through the eyes of a Napa legend John Caldwell all revealing his hunt for passion late in life and chasing an impossible goal against all odds. - a story told with tears, a lot of laughter and generous pours of profanity.

Israel: A Nation Reborn | Documentary Series
Adapted from Daniel Gordis' prize-winning 2016 book, with an addendum chapter written after October 7, this seven part docuseries will bring a spectacular visual style and real-life human drama to Gordis’ hard-hitting and clear-eyed, yet highly accessible, history of Israel from its inception to the present day. Israel: A Nation Reborn will recount the story of the State of Israel in a truthful, comprehensive and ultimately inspiring visual manner. You can read the pitch deck here.

I Cannot Be A Bystander | Documentary Film
Addressing the rising tide of hate in this country, and around the world, this feature-length documentary film shares why each of us must speak out against it. The film surveys historical and current incidents of antisemitism and other hatreds; awakens us to the dangers unchecked hate can have on society and democracy; and directly addresses the question, “What can I do to make a difference?” You can read the pitch deck here.

House of La Mancha | Animated Film Short
Studies have shown that the media has portrayed people living with mental illness as either a stereotypical villain or a victim, which perpetuates social stigmas. Inspired by the tale of Don Quixote, this 3D animated film short empathetically recreates the fragmented world of a girl, Isabel, living with a trauma induced Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID). Like Don Quixote and his faithful companion Sancho Panza, we follow Isabel and her faithful dog, Guillermo, on a surreal adventure through her fragmented world as she faces her inner demons and grapples with what is real and what isn’t. You can read the pitch deck here.

Goldberg Variations | Feature Film
A comedy about estranged brothers, terroir wine, and a kabbalistic mystery — set on an Israeli vineyard. You can read the pitch deck here.

The Giving Pledge | Documentary Film
Created by Warren Buffett and Bill Gates, The Giving Pledge is a promise by the world's wealthiest individuals and families to dedicate the majority of their wealth to charitable causes. This documentary film shares the story of the Pledge’s conception and development, its founders’ motivations and dreams, and the rise of Big Philanthropy as a change-making force in the world.

From Dust to Dust | Feature Film
Inspired by the true story of Veronica and Hilario Guzman, this film begins when they fled their poverty-stricken village Oaxaca, Mexico as a young couple for a more promising life in the US. After toiling in the fields of California, Hilario is tragically killed in an accident and Veronica is determined to bury him in his home village, but this means igniting a network of violent exploitation and forcing families on both sides of the border to make impossible choices. A story of sacrifice and hope, From Dust to Dust is an unflinching portrayal of America’s modern day migrant story. You can read the pitch deck here.

Forgotten Vines: The Legacy of Chinese Roots in California Wine | Documentary Film
Unveiling the hidden history of Chinese laborers whose work is woven into the terroir of California wine, we begin in the 19th century when these immigrants planted over eighty percent of the original vineyards we all know today. Their work included carving out the essential wine caves while laying out the foundations of California’s wine and agriculture industry - and yet their contributions were erased by discriminatory laws like the Chinese Exclusion Act. Through archival imagery and stories from Chinese-American leaders like Sonoma’s Mayor Jack Ding and modern Chinese-American winemakers this film reclaims their forgotten heritage while honoring the resilience and spirit that continues to shape California’s wine and land to the present day. You can read the pitch deck here.

Empathy Not Included: The Narcissist’s Playbook | Documentary Film
Exploring one of the most pervasive and often misunderstood mental pathologies, this documentary film was shot in over five countries and is viewed through the lens of four self-confessed and self-aware malignant narcissists who openly share disturbing stories of how narcissists operate in society today. But this is all juxtaposed against the growing body of wisdom from victims, survivors, scientists and mental health professionals - information that we can all learn from and use in our daily lives. You can read the pitch deck here.

Elements | Documentary Series
A docuseries that explores how scientists, entrepreneurs and other visionaries are using science and tech to confront crucial environmental issues through innovation, passion, and perseverance Elements shines a light onto practical and transformational solutions for solving the world’s most important and urgent problems. You can read the pitch deck here.

Dope Dealer: A Matter of Dosage | Documentary Film
Based on performance artist Sheldon Norberg’s acclaimed work, this documentary film is a psychedelic coming of age story set within the framework of a modern day medicine circle. The film engages the audience with the experiences of their own drug history and delivers a vision of how psychedelics can be used more beneficially. It’s the story of our generation’s search for truth amidst the drug war lies, enlightenment in the “stoned ages” and the search for human connection when when one has become Comfortably Numb. You can read the pitch deck here.

Earth’s Greatest Enemy | Documentary Film
After the birth of their first child brought with it a profound anxiety of the climate crisis, a celebrated war reporter and her Iraq war veteran husband turn their sights onto the hidden impact that the US military has on our planet - the world's biggest polluter in practically every region of the world. You can read the pitch deck here.

Chava | Feature Film
Amidst the chaos of Nazi-occupied Mlawa, Poland in 1939, headstrong teenager Chava Vagodsky witnesses a brutal round-up that shatters her family. Plunged into a desperate struggle for survival and reunification, Chava faces the agonizing choice of risking her life to reunite with her loved ones or honoring their sacrifices by seeking safety and a future in the land of Israel. You can read the pitch deck here.

Causata | Documentary Series
Presenting poignant stories affirming the dangers faced after the recent Roe v Wade decision, this series is a collection of thirteen short films which illustrate how reducing or eliminating women’s body autonomy could eventually lead to the loss of other freedoms. As the heated debate around and about laws for and against abortion has become inflamed, Causata conducts a crucial examination about the impact of these restrictions on women's rights and freedoms while exploring the societal implications and calling for a reevaluation of these laws to ensure equal protection for all. You can read the pitch deck here.

Attention Revolution | Documentary Film
Of all the threats of the digital age, the attention industry’s free acquisition of our attention is the most sinister. Adapted from the book of the same name by best-selling Israeli philosopher Micah Goodman, this documentary film offers a whole new way of thinking about the problem while also identifying solutions, including new tech to fight tech.

COMPLETED WORKS WE HAVE SUPPORTED

Who Are the Marcuses? | Documentary Film
The year’s “great documentary” (Film Threat) uncovers a mysterious Long Island couple whose half a billion-dollar gift inspires peace and climate action through water tech. Featuring Warren Buffett, Ellen Marcus, Israel President Isaac Herzog, Seth M. Siegel, E. Randol Schoenberg, Daniel Gordis and Micah Goodman. You can view the trailer here.

Understanding Autism | Documentary Film
Filmed in over thirty cities in the US, Canada and the UK the most renowned researchers, scientists, doctors and psychologists in the world - all of whom are addressing the issues, needs and remarkable nature of the neurodiverse community - as well as young people and adults who represent all facets of the autism spectrum were all interviewed for this documentary film. It is also a very personal project by the well known filmmaker Scott Steindorff, who shares his own experience as he was recently diagnosed as being neurodiverse; which he considers it to be his “superpower”. You can view the trailer here.

Mosolov’s Suitcase | Feature Film
Exploring the life and legacy of Ukrainian, early Soviet era, avant-garde composer Alexander Mosolov a celebrated film director recounts his unconventional efforts to complete a film - about Mosolov’s persecution in 1930’s Stalinist USSR and efforts to smuggle his music (reported lost in a stolen suitcase) into the West - which was abandoned in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The film is a hybrid feature and documentary black-and-white meditation on the titular’s subject’s controversial life, told through three stories about creation and individualism in the face of state power. You can view the trailer here.

Fioretta | Documentary Film
History-obsessed Randy Schoenberg (grandson of the famous composer) and his reluctant teenage son journey through Europe and the centuries to reclaim over five hundred years of their family story. Along the way, they encounter kings, mystics, and a false messiah — as well as the long-forgotten ordinary people who witnessed Europe's most turbulent past. Randy is renowned for recovering Nazi-looted art, but his greatest achievement might just be reuniting the fractured and scattered shards of his own family. You can view the trailer here.