Press Releases

PARTICIPANT MEDIA AND AFFRM ACQUIRE U.S. THEATRICAL RIGHTS TO 2012 SUNDANCE SELECTION MIDDLE OF NOWHERE

Beverly Hills, CA [ January 27, 2012 ]

Participant Media and AFFRM (African-American Film Festival Releasing Movement) have jointly acquired U.S. theatrical rights to Middle of Nowhere, an elegant and emotional drama chronicling a woman’s separation from her incarcerated husband and her journey to maintain her marriage and her identity. Written and directed by AFFRM founder Ava DuVernay, the film was produced by DuVernay and Howard Barish with producer Paul Garnes.

Staring into the hollow end of her husband Derek’s eight-year prison sentence, Ruby Sexton fights to support him on the inside and survive her own identity crisis on the outside. Through a chance encounter and a stunning betrayal that shakes her to the core, Ruby is propelled in new and, often frightening, directions of self-discovery. 

TAKEPART KICKS OFF “WORLD CHANGERS 2012” COMMUNITY INTIATIVE WITH “KENYA EXPEDITION” VOLUNTEER TRIP GIVEAWAY

Beverly Hills, CA [ January 26, 2012 ]

Young Adults Between the Ages of 18 and 22 Can Enter for a Chance to Win a Once-in-a-Lifetime Volunteer Adventure in Kenya with Me to We Trips

TakePart, the content-driven Social Action Network™ and the digital arm of Participant Media, the leading provider of entertainment that inspires and accelerates social change, kicks off its “World Changers 2012” (www.takepart.com/world-changers) community initiative by giving young adults between the ages of 18 and 22 the chance to win a once-in-a-lifetime volunteer adventure in Kenya with Me to We Trips.

The Help and PAGE ONE receive BFCA nominations

Broadcast Film Critics Association [ December 13, 2011 ]

The Help received 8 nominations from the Broadcast Film Critics Association:
Best Picture, Best Actress (Viola Davis), Best Supporting Actress (Octavia Spencer), Best Supporting Actress (Jessica Chastain), Best Acting Ensemble, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Costume Design, Best Song.

PAGE ONE: Inside The New York Times was nominated for Best Documentary Feature.

Awards are announced at the ceremony January 12.

Full List of nominees below:

TAKEPART PRESENTS WEB DOCUMENTARY SERIES "OCCUPY LA: SCENES FROM THE NEW REVOLUTION"

Beverly Hills, CA [ January 17, 2012 ]

Written and Narrated by Sam Slovick, the Five-Part Series Gives an Intimate Inside Look at the Los Angeles Branch of the Occupy Movement as Told by Experts, Leaders, and Passionate Voices from the Ground

TakePart, the content-driven Social Action Network™ and the digital arm of Participant Media, the leading provider of entertainment that inspires and accelerates social change, presents Occupy LA: Scenes From The New Revolution, a five-part web documentary series. Launching on January 6, 2012 on TakePart’s YouTube Channel, the Occupy LA: Scenes From The New Revolution features personal stories, interviews with experts and leaders, footage from the inner sanctum, and graphics that bring the sometimes chaotic picture of the movement into a sharp provocative and emotional focus.

GABRIEL BRAKIN NAMED SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF BUSINESS AND LEGAL AFFAIRS FOR PARTICIPANT MEDIA

Beverly Hills [ November 21, 2011 ]

Gabriel Brakin has been promoted to Senior Vice President of Business and Legal Affairs for Participant Media, it was announced today by Jeff Ivers, Participant’s Chief Operating Officer.
 
Ivers said, “Since joining us three years ago from O’Melveny, Gabe has done an exceptional job handling our co-financing deals with Summit and other studios, our film financing fund with Image Nation and all of our TakePart activities.  His promotion is well-deserved.”

GARY FRENKEL NAMED SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, DIGITAL PRODUCTS & COMMUNITIES FOR PARTICIPANT MEDIA’S TAKEPART

Beverly Hills [ November 16, 2011 ]

Gary Frenkel has been appointed Senior Vice President, Digital Products & Communities for TakePart, the digital arm of Participant Media, it was announced today by Christopher Gebhardt, Participant’s Executive Vice President and General Manager of TakePart. In this newly-created position, Gary will oversee product development, user experience, and community formation and activation activities.

“Gary has a unique set of skills at the confluence of social media and digital content, which is at the heart of sustained social engagement. Our goal for TakePart is to turn content into action and action into sustained engagement," said Gebhardt.

CHAD BOETTCHER TO HEAD SOCIAL ACTION AND ADVOCACY FOR PARTICIPANT MEDIA

Beverly Hills [ November 1, 2011 ]

SOCIAL ACTION DIVISION INTEGRAL TO PARTICIPANT’S UNIQUE POSITION IN THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY

Chad Boettcher will join Participant Media as Executive Vice President, Social Action and Advocacy, effective November 28, it was announced today by Jim Berk, CEO. As head of Participant’s Social Action division, Boettcher will be responsible for leading the creation, development and execution of multi-platform Social Action and Advocacy campaigns for all of Participant content. These campaigns inspire citizen awareness, education and engagement in order to create active communities engaged in positive social change.

TAKEPART TV TO LAUNCH JULY 2012: PARTICIPANT MEDIA’S DIGITAL ARM TO BRING A NEW IMPACT-FOCUSED CHANNEL TO YOUTUBE

Beverly Hills [ October 28, 2011 ]

TakePart, the digital arm of Participant Media, the leading provider of entertainment that inspires and accelerates social change, will launch a new impact-focused channel on YouTube, as part of YouTube’s new original channels initiative, it was announced today by Jim Berk, CEO, Participant Media. TakePart TV, premiering July 2012, will feature an eclectic mix of original programming ranging from daily short-form shows, high-quality series and a variety of live-streamed events showcasing the people who are making change happen around the world.

TakePart is a content-driven social action platform of people, non-profit organizations and brands that are working together to drive positive change on big issues.

THE PALEY CENTER FOR MEDIA TO HONOR PARTICIPANT MEDIA AND FOUNDER JEFF SKOLL AT LOS ANGELES ANNUAL GALA: SALUTE TO EXCELLENCE ON DECEMBER 13

Beverly Hills [ October 26, 2011 ]

The Paley Center for Media will honor Participant Media and its Founder Jeff Skoll at its annual gala event “Salute to Excellence,” Tuesday, December 13 at the Paley Center for Media in Beverly Hills, it was announced today by Paley Center for Media President and CEO Pat Mitchell.  Participant Media, whose most recent film projects include The Help and Contagion, is being honored for its unique use of media to accelerate social change. Participant’s films are often accompanied by innovative social action and advocacy campaigns designed to give a voice to issues that resonate in the films, and to inspire individuals to take action.

LINDSAY GUETSCHOW NAMED SENIOR DIRECTOR, MARKETING AND STRATEGIC ALLIANCES FOR PARTICIPANT MEDIA

Beverly Hills [ October 13, 2011 ]

Lindsay Guetschow has joined Participant Media as Senior Director, Marketing & Strategic Alliances, it was announced today by Buffy Shutt and Kathy Jones, Participant’s Executive Vice Presidents of Marketing.  In this newly-created position, Guetschow, who for the past year served as Participant’s Campaign Outreach Director on Waiting for “Superman,” is responsible for developing and managing strategic alliances for cause marketing campaigns.  In addition to creating online and offline programs for partners, she will lead outreach efforts for cause marketing, Social Action and digital campaigns on specific titles; identify and manage live events; and work with Participant’s Social Action and TakePart teams to conceive programs for partner affiliation, funding opportunities and community building.

ATO PICTURES ANNOUNCES PARTICIPANT MEDIA’S LAST CALL AT THE OASIS AS THEIR SECOND TIFF PICK UP

New York, NY [ September 21, 2011 ]

ACADEMY AWARD WINNER JESSICA YU DIRECTS ACCLAIMED NEW DOC

ATO Pictures announced today that it has acquired U.S. rights to Participant Media’s acclaimed new film, LAST CALL AT THE OASIS directed by Academy Award winner Jessica Yu.  The film recently premiered at TIFF to tremendous fanfare.

Developed, financed and executive produced by Participant Media, the company responsible for such groundbreaking documentaries as AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH, FOOD, INC. and WAITING FOR “SUPERMAN”, LAST CALL AT THE OASIS, presents a powerful argument for why the global water crisis will be the central issue facing our world this century.

INNOVATORS IN ACTION, ORIGINAL VIDEO SERIES FEATURING INTERVIEWS WITH THE WORLD’S LEADING SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURS, TO DEBUT ON TAKEPART.COM SEPTEMBER 20

Beverly Hills [ September 20, 2011 ]

SUBJECTS INCLUDE JUDE LAW (PEACE ONE DAY), GARY WHITE (WATER.ORG) AND LARRY BRILLIANT (SKOLL GLOBAL THREATS FUND)

Starting Tuesday September 20, Participant Media’s digital arm, TakePart, debuts the original video series Innovators in Action. The first 11 of 47 interviews with the world’s leading social entrepreneurs will be posted at www.takepart.com/skollworldforum. The videos were filmed this spring at the premier international social entrepreneurship gathering, the Skoll World Forum, in Oxford, England. They spotlight one-on-one discussions about inspiration, innovation and how to make change that lasts. Interviewees include Water.org’s Gary White, Peace One Day’s Jude Law and Skoll Global Threats Fund’s Larry Brilliant.

PARTICIPANT MEDIA'S SOCIAL ACTION CAMPAIGN FOR CONTAGION WILL IMMERSE AUDIENCES INTO THE WORLD OF PANDEMICS AND REAL LIFE VIRUS HUNTERS

Beverly Hills [ August 25, 2011 ]

With the goal of raising awareness through popular entertainment, Participant Media’s Social Action Campaign for Contagion will provide audiences with a window into the world of pandemics—their history, the people who have dedicated their lives to studying them, and what precautions the average person can take to protect themselves and their loved ones. 

Kicking off August 31 and tied to the upcoming thriller Contagion, from Warner Bros. Pictures and Participant Media, the campaign will immerse visitors into this world through an informational “hub” at TakePart.com/Contagion. An animated video and an interactive experience built around the film will be integrated with a Facebook feature Warner Bros. will be launching that mirrors the viral nature of a pandemic via its spread within a social network.

PARTICIPANT MEDIA’S SOCIAL ACTION CAMPAIGN FOR CIRCUMSTANCE EXAMINES HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES

Beverly Hills [ August 24, 2011 ]

FILM OPENS IN NEW YORK AND LOS ANGELES THIS FRIDAY,
EXPANDING TO ADDITIONAL CITIES SEPTEMBER 9

Participant Media's Social Action Campaign for the film Circumstance, opening in New York and Los Angeles this Friday, focuses on human rights issues with screening-and-conversation events around the country, and original video and editorial content created for the official film and Social Action site at TakePart.com/circumstance.

PARTICIPANT MEDIA’S SOCIAL ACTION CAMPAIGN FOR THE HELP PROMOTES STORYTELLING

Beverly Hills [ July 26, 2011 ]

PARTICIPANT PARTNERING WITH THE MOTH AND LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS TO OFFER STORYTELLING WORKSHOPS IN NY, LA, CHICAGO

Participant Media’s Social Action Campaign for August 10 release of The Help, a DreamWorks Pictures and Reliance Big Entertainment Presentation in association with Participant Media and Imagenation Abu Dhabi, is about the transformative power of storytelling. Participant Media is joining forces with The Moth, America’s foremost storytelling organization, and local storytelling organizations including WriteGirl, Young Storyteller’s Foundation, Girls Right Now and others to sponsor four-day storytelling training workshops in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago for 12 high school students in each city.

PARTICIPANT MEDIA LAUNCHES ITS SOCIAL ACTION CAMPAIGN FOR THE HELP WITH A SERIES OF ONLINE STORYTELLING COMPETITIONS

Beverly Hills [ July 21, 2011 ]

INITIATIVE PROMOTES THE POWER OF STORYTELLING TO BRIDGE CULTURAL, SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DIFFERENCES

Participant Media has kicked off its Social Action Campaign for the August 10 release The Help, a DreamWorks Pictures and Reliance Big Entertainment presentation in association with Participant Media and Imagenation Abu Dhabi, with the launch of the first of three online competitions focusing on the transformative power of storytelling to cross cultural, social and economic lines. Just as the characters in The Help risk everything to tell the stories of their lives and in the process, become empowered, these competitions offer audiences opportunities to share their own stories at TakePart.com/The Help.

SHOUT! FACTORY AND PARTICIPANT MUSIC TO RELEASE T BONE BURNETT PRESENTS: THE SPEAKING CLOCK REVUE

Beverly Hills [ July 13, 2011 ]

FEATURING ELTON JOHN, ELVIS COSTELLO, LEON RUSSELL, JOHN MELLENCAMP, GREGG ALLMAN, RALPH STANLEY, NEKO CASE, JIM JAMES, JEFF BRIDGES, PUNCH BROTHERS, KAREN ELSON, & THE SECRET SISTERS
 
Concert album inspired by Participant Media’s documentary, Waiting for “Superman”

On October 18 Shout! Factory will release T Bone Burnett Presents: The Speaking Clock Revue, an album showcasing 11 performances from a benefit concert at New York’s famed Beacon Theatre that Burnett orchestrated last year with Participant Media. Proceeds from album sales, as with the live show, will benefit The Participant Foundation, to support the inclusion of music and arts education in public school systems.

PARTICIPANT MEDIA’S SOCIAL ACTION CAMPAIGN FOR PAGE ONE: INSIDE THE NEW YORK TIMES ENCOURAGES AUDIENCES TO CONSIDER THE SOURCE

Beverly Hills [ June 29, 2011 ]

Participant Media’s Social Action campaign for the film PAGE ONE: Inside The New York Times features a series of screening and conversation events and online actions designed to explore the relationship between traditional and new media, the future of news, the value of original reporting and various aspects of media literacy and reform. The documentary feature, from Participant, Magnolia Pictures and History Films, is currently playing in New York and Los Angeles and expands to select cities this Friday, July 1st.

PARTICIPANT MEDIA TEAMS WITH MONGREL MEDIA TO DISTRIBUTE SUNDANCE AUDIENCE AWARD WINNER CIRCUMSTANCE IN CANADA

Beverly Hills [ June 16, 2011 ]

Mongrel Media has acquired all Canadian distribution rights to Maryam Keshavarz's Circumstance from Participant Media, which acquired the film at the Sundance Film Festival. The news was announced today by Hussain Amarshi, President and Founder of Mongrel Media, and Ricky Strauss, President of Participant Media. Winner of this year's Sundance Audience Award, the film is set in contemporary Iran, where a wealthy family struggles to contain a teenager's growing sexual rebellion and her brother's dangerous obsession.

In addition to making her directorial debut with Circumstance, Keshavarz produced the film with Karin Chien and Melissa M. Lee, with Christina Won serving as executive producer.

PARTICIPANT MEDIA TEAMS WITH LEADING NON-PROFITS FOR ITS SOCIAL ACTION CAMPAIGN FOR THE BEAVER, OPENING MAY 6

Beverly Hills [ May 6, 2011 ]

FILM'S MOVING STORY SHEDS LIGHT ON DEPRESSION AND RELATED RESOURCES

Inspired by Participant Media and Summit Entertainment's THE BEAVER, Participant has created a Social Action Campaign to increase public awareness about depression, teaming with three leading non-profit organizations known for effectively providing hope and help to those affected by depression and other forms of mental illness: the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), To Write Love on Her Arms (TWLOHA) and the Kristin Brooks Hope Center (KBHC). The film, which opens in limited release in North America on Friday, May 6, 2011, stars Academy Award® winners Mel Gibson and Jodie Foster with the film also directed by Foster.