Festival’s Social Networking Meets Social Entrepreneurship

By Chase Masterson

Sundance Founder Robert Redford

PARK CITY,UT(Hollywood Today) 1/29/2010–As distrib deals started to melt the cool buying atmosphere on Main Street this week, Sundance attendees were also softening up regarding social and global issues.

Thursday’s Speaking Truth to Power: A Film and Social-Justice Roundtable, held at Filmmaker’s Lodge with a powerful introduction by Cara Mertes, featured an eye-opening key-note on both the history and current state of social justice issues by Gara La Marche, President & CEO of Atlantic Philanthropies.

Filmmakers Rob Lemkin and Thet Sambath (Enemies of the People) and Stanley Nelson (Freedom Riders) were present on the panel, which was attended by a standing-room-only crowd of filmmakers, journalists, activists and documentary aficionados. Clips of both documentary films kicked off a round-table discussion exploring trends in human-right and social justice-storytelling, moderated by Karen Greenberg, Executive Director of NYU’s Center on Law and Security.

Equally as compelling, but with more a social spin, were the Creative Coalition’s Spotlight Initiative Awards, held earlier this week. Executive Director Robin Bronk delivered a warm, opening speech to a spirited crowd, and actor and Co-President of The Creative Coalition Tim Daly welcomed the audience with characteristic humor, making it evident that the Coalition’s membership, while focused for social entrepreneurship and awareness, was also geared up for a good time.

The list of respected leaders in socially relevant cinema attending the event included producer Stephen Nemeth and director Michael Nash of the critically acclaimed Climate Refugees, a must-see doc at the Fest which is listed as having one of the highest buzz ratings on the Sundance website.

Malin Ackerman (happythankyoumoreplease) delivered a heartfelt introduction for honoree Elijah Wood (The Romantic); other honorees included Adrian Grenier (Teenage Paparazzo); actor Treat Williams (Howl); actor Melissa Leo (Welcome to the Rileys); producer Charlie Corwin (Twelve); director Joel Schumacher; actor Jason Ritter.

Another well-attended Creative Coalition event was the Teachers Making a Difference Awards Luncheon, sponsored by ING, at which Tim Daly and Wilmer Valderrama presented awards to their high school drama teachers, Joyce Devlin and Edwin Tucker.

This annual event, held at the Film Festival since 2007, spotlights the “unsung” heroes of education who have made a lasting impact on generations of students.  The event also calls attention to the significance and need for outstanding school teachers who can mentor students to achieve their greatest potential.

Though neither Devlin or Tucker had seen their renowned students in decades, honorees and attendees alike were genuinely touched by the genuineness with which Daly and Wilderrama spoke of their key mentors.The “reunion” dialogues were moderated by MSNBC’s Lawrence O’Donnell Jr.

The Creative Coalition was formed for the charitable and educational purposes of bringing together artists and entertainers to learn about pressing issues so they can better inform and influence the community and nation.

TCC is the premier nonprofit, nonpartisan social and political advocacy organization of the entertainment industry. Founded in 1989 by prominent figures in the creative community, including actors Alec Baldwin, Ron Silver, Christopher Reeve, Susan Sarandon, Blair Brown and Stephen Collins, TCC educates and mobilizes leaders in the arts community on issues of public importance, specifically in the areas of First Amendment rights, arts advocacy and public education.

For more information on Creative Coalition advocacy, membership and events, see http://thecreativecoalition.org.