The Media That Matters Film Festival is the premiere showcase for short films on  important topics of the day. Local and global, online and in communities around the world, Media That Matters encourages audiences to take action.

Every June, Media That Matters presents a new collection of twelve shorts. The festival launches in New York City with a World Premiere at the IFC Center and an Awards Ceremony at HBO where every filmmaker is honored and many receive cash awards sponsored by major foundations and corporations. Previous presenters include Tim Robbins, AlFranken, David Cross, Woody Harrelson, Barbara Kopple and Peter Yarrow.  The festival launch also includes the Media as a Tool for Social Change Workshop, a unique convening of filmmakers, educators, activists, nonprofits and youth.

From gay rights to global warming, the jury-selected collection represents the work of a diverse group of independent filmmakers, many of whom are under 21. The films are equally diverse in style and content, with documentaries, music videos, animations, experimental work and everything else in between. What all the films have in common is that they spark debate and action in 12 minutes or less.

The films stream online in their entirety, broadcast nationally and are distributed on DVD to educators and activists. Media That Matters reaches thousands through community screenings around the country. From classrooms to board rooms, movie theatres to home theatres, hundreds of events take place throughout the year. Arts Engine staff produce and attend many screenings, while many more are organized by individuals committed to change.The festival provides everything you need to host your own event, and we invite you to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for support in bringing Media That Matters to your neck of the woods.

An image captures a feeling,
A story shares a message,
A movie becomes a movement.

Media That Matters FOCUS

Media That Matters FOCUS is a new series of curated collections that center on particular issues. The first FOCUS release (October 2006) is Media That Matters: Good Food, a collection of shorts on food and sustainability. Following the model of our annual festival, the films stream online, screen around the country and are distributed on DVD. Stay tuned for new FOCUS collections on LGBT Rights, Criminal Justice and more in years to come.

Arts Engine

Arts Engine supports, produces and distributes independent media of consequence and promotes the use of independent media by advocates, educators and the general public. By fostering the production and use of independent film, video and new media, Arts Engine connects media makers and active audiences in order to spur critical consideration of pressing social issues. Learn more at www.artsengine.net.

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