Documentary films change minds, reach hearts, and create change. Good Pitch has been using documentaries to bring organizations together into powerful coalitions for over 12 years in 15 different countries. Over 3,200 organizations have attended Good Pitch worldwide, creating a network of foundations, NGOs, campaigners, academics, philanthropists, policymakers, brands and media.
produced by
JOEL: Hello. My name is Joel Bakan.
JENN: And I’m Jennifer Abbott, and we are co-directors of The New Corporation. I’d also like to acknowledge editor Peter Roeck and producers Betsy Carson and Trish Dolman who couldn’t be with us today.
JOEL: In 2003 we released a film called The Corporation. It revealed, and helped unite resistance to, the dangerously expanding power of corporations, and it became a global hit. Now we’ve made a sequel – an unfortunately necessary sequel.
JOEL: Our story is about how we’re changing from a society that no longer just has corporations, but is corporate. It’s about how corporations say they’ve changed for the better and now deserve our trust. About how our lives are increasingly colonized by corporations and hi-tech corporate monopolies.
It’s about how we’ve reached a point of corporate-driven cataclysmic breakdown – of climate, democracy, social solidarity, and peace.
JENN: But this is ultimately a film about hope – hope in people’s capacity to act once they know. Hope in the surging resistance to corporate rule as people struggle worldwide to create just, democratic, and flourishing societies – redefining what struggle is, reimagining what democracy can be, and inspiring us all.
Most of us understand we’re facing multiple existential threats and injustices. But many are unsure how to act with the urgency and effectiveness they demand. This film will connect the dots, helping to create a framework for understanding the world, so that we might act to change it.
Now we’ll hear some words from Kat, our impact producer.
KAT: I designed the grassroots global campaigns for the first film at a time when social media, as we know it, didn’t exist. Now, we are deep in the thrall of the big corporate platforms, fighting the algorithms of social media and advertising. But we still need to be there.
We want to harness the grassroots potential, on and off social platforms, to work alongside all those who told us over and over how The Corporation changed their lives, and now also with the new generation of change-makers who are leading the charge for climate justice.
In this era of COVID and extreme polarization, can we reach across sectors to revive “we the people” out from under the traps of right-wing populism and left-wing gloom?
We can, if we organize with organizers - People like the many of you in this room--Using our networks to reach far and wide to take collective action.
As part of our Impact Plan, I am both handling educational distribution, and directing TheNewCorporation.app that will share stories of how people used the last film, along with clips and new content. Each story is a call to action.
Our impact goals are:
Bridge our collective networks into one ecosystem. Co-promotion is the secret weapon of the underfunded! We want to give our audiences the opportunity to learn about your important work, and allow your communities to use our film, assets, and platform as a tool to engage and organize. Your newsletters, social media, mailing lists and word of mouth about our film will add more and more momentum to our campaign.
Organize with organizers. The first film kicked off a global movement of crowd-sourced political and social action. We believe we can do the same thing this time with your help and your introductions. We want to get the film to all the organizations and educators who can use it for public or private screenings to educate. Our platform should amplify and be allies to the youth movements that are leading the way - your introductions to your local movements are crucial.
And, wouldn’t it be great to win a few battles? Could we take on big corporations like Nestle, Shell, Facebook or even Amazon? Today, we are mired in inequity, racism, injustice, economic exploitation at a scale not seen since the 1920s. The film is a powerful and accessible framework to map out the way corporations continue to abuse, isolate and gaslight us. COVID has made it all so much worse.
We need partnerships to–
Connect with, then amplify, youth movements
Highlight work for climate and economic justice
Take on systemic racism and inequities
Challenge corporate control over government
Encourage increased political engagement from our communities and yours
It all boils down to ONE BIG GOAL. Reimagine democracy, and make that go viral, together.
WHO ATTENDED?
Bill Hopwood - Socialist Alternative
Pledged a film review on the website (website linked to 30-40 countries around the world). Screenings with the organizations members & friends.
Carminda MacLorin - World Social Forum
Offer to connect with film team to create with the WSF, connect in January to organize this.
Duff Conacher - Democracy Watch
Spread the word throughout Democracy Watch (reach is about 250,000 Canadians).
Jessica Munger - Move to Amend
Discussions and screenings with their chapters arond across the US.
Jim Stanford - Centre for Future Work
Host a review and discussion on their website. Distribute the information about screenings on their website (2000) and SM (25000). Try and raise awareness about the film and the project with the Trade Union Community. Send word about the film to the networks he's connected with that do Adult Education & Progressive Economics. Personal donation of $250.
Joel Solomon - Renewal Funds
$1000 pledge by Dana and Joel Solomon, and help with promotions and networks.
Joey Hartman - Council of Canadians
Offered to connect the film with the network he's built up in over 40 years of activist, including the labour heritage centre. Offered the idea that the film should connect with the BC Teachers Federation to promote curriculum for Social Studies Classes, to reach out to those organizations to distribute the film.
John Beebe - Democratic Engagement Exchange
Work with the film's impact team to see how they can get some folks that might not usually get out to a screening to see the film.
Kari Michaels - British Columbia Government and Service Employees' Union
Offer screenings and discussions with the members of BCGEU to try and foster conversations on how their members can take action.
Mary Barroll - Charity Village
Outreach through the platforms Charityvillage.com, Talent Egg & Bmeaningful. Support engagement of the film. Build online events, screenings, bring more people to see the film, amplify the impact of the campaign. Partner and support impact of the film.
Nicole Barrett - UBC Allard School of Law
Connect to the anti-corruption and human rights network that Nicole has developed over time and promote the film through those channels.
Ravi Joshi - Council of Canadians
A screening for the CoC's chapters & members across the country. Make the screening interactive and online. This can be done early 2021.
Shannon Daub - Canadian Centre of Policy Alternatives
Collaborate with Kat to organize some screenings and discussions.
Tatiana Ishwari Nemchin
Use her background in publicity and grassroots marketing , public outreach and community building to help the film team in any way she can. Will give pro-bono hours and meet with Kat to discuss how she might be able to help. Personal donation of $100 (done though the website).
Anthony Swan - Story Money Impact
Get his D&D group and their families to watch the film, rate it on IMDB and Google and spread the word!
WHAT PLEDGES WERE PREVIOUSLY MADE AT OUR LIVE EVENT?
Sum of US, Emma Pullman
Offered to screen the film at next staff retreat and discuss where we can align messaging with our campaigns. Offered personal time to strategize with the filmmakers on outreach campaigns.
B Lab Corporation, Michelle Reid
Will leverage vast network of partners across the country. Offered screen facilities in Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal. Proposed to hold an event surrounding new legislation being proposed for benefit-corporations.
Freelance Writer (Atlantic, New York Times and more), Caroline Beaton
Will help with story editing and impact outreach thru media contacts (New York Times, Atlantics, etc)
Citizen Relations, Izabela Leszko
As head of our CSR committee, committed to discuss possible pro-bono PR work, social media campaigns, screenings or making intro's with the CR Team.
David Suzuki Foundation, Alaya Boisvert
Offered to discuss how DSF can get behind film re: social media team help, help with dissemination of film, email network. Personally offered to leverage membership in a leaders group.
Greenpeace Canada, Ian Duff
Offered screenings to global network of volunteers and network introductions.
GenSqueeze, Paul Kershaw
Offered policy influence. "We want to change legislation regarding the pricing of pollution." Interested to use film to remind government and the courts what's really at stake and to shape conversations.
Global Reporting Centre, Britney Dennison
Offered in-kind support and colloboration with staff to explore synergies.
Fast Signs, Paul LeBlanc
$300 toward screening signs
Finale Post
$5,000 for post-production and distribution.
Macquarie University, Dr Ross Gordon
Will use film in case study work and classroom
Simon Fraser University, Am Johal
Offered venue for screening and panel discussion
Transparency International, Daniela Chimisso Dos Santos
Offered to facilitate call with Executive Director to discuss commonalities. Offered pro bono assistance, including personal time.
Alliance for Media Arts + Culture, Wendy Levy
Offered project consultations and mentorship.
Youth Global Education Network, Anastasia Gaisenok
Offered to bring the film to classrooms, and community events and leverage wide network. Offered assistance to ensure outreach messaging speaks to youth.
TEAM
Sue Biely
Anthony Swan
Jonny Morris
Brianna Girdler
Jenny Lee Craig
Anastasia Gaisenok
Natasha Shukor
Em Lubbers
Anis Annisa Maryam
WITH GREAT APPRECIATION
Good Pitch Vancouver Virtual
Program Donors
David Paperny
Audrey Mehler
Story Money Impact Donors
Leonard Schein
Laura Plant
Erika Harrison
Tracey Friesen
Dr Hilary Pada
Annette Frymer
David Goorevitch
Wayne Busse
David Zitzerman
David Richardson
Leola Purdy Foundation
Sandra Garossino
Tinu Mathur
Mark Busse
Ruth Hahn
Ring Five Impact Docs
Tatiana Nemchin
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Annette Frymer
John Dippong
Laura Plant
Leonard Schein
Liz Shorten
Loc Dao
Mark Busse
Sharon Farrish
Tinu Mathur
Tracey Friesen
PAST BOARD MEMBERS & ADVISORS
Al Etmanski
Bonnie Foley-Wong
Carol Biely
Gulnaaz Z. Lalji
Joel Solomon
Andrea Nemtim
