Case Studies — Ellis Watamanuk

Case studies…

Partnerships are symbiotic. I will not hand over a movie and simply say “Promote this.”

Partners can provide expert insight into an issue space or movement, activate their networks to see the film and take action, and amplify their own mission through the film. I work alongside these groups to understand their goals and roadmaps, and identify how the film can be an effective tool for their work in this very moment.

Here are some of my favorite moments with partners - and hover over the posters to learn more about the larger campaign:

TIME
For the critically acclaimed documentary, I led the creation of a comprehensive landscape report informed by key partner resources on America’s prison-industrial complex. On opening weekend, we partnered with Amazon Studios to host a special screening for activists and organizers, followed by a conversation with FoxandRob Rich and Raj Jayadev of Participatory Defense. Attending organizations included The Bail Project, Brennan Center, Bronx Defenders, and more.

A THOUSAND CUTS
Through a virtual recreation of the World Forum in The Hague, the film screened at the World Press Freedom Conference alongside an exclusive conversation with journalist Maria Ressa, filmmaker Ramona S. Diaz, and FRONTLINE PBS’s Raney Aronson-Rath, and moderated by Elisa Lees Muñoz of the International Women's Media Foundation. In partnership with UNESCO and the Netherlands’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs. You can watch the talkback here.

THE FIGHT
For the film’s theatrical opening, RAICES hosted their The Fight Against Family Separation event featuring Andrea Meza, Director of Family Detention Services; Manoj Govindaiah, Director of Litigation; and Julia Valero, Karnes Pro Bono Volunteer Manager, as they shared powerful testimony from their personal experiences working on the ground. RAICES created a special virtual cinema to fundraise for their efforts, as well as a microsite for the film.

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WON’T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR?324 total community screenings with over 10,000 estimated attendees — **WON’T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR?**
**324 total community screenings with over 10,000 estimated attendees**

CLIMATE STORYTELLINGIn 2020, I developed a landscape report on the current state of climate storytelling for a major foundation that wanted to better understand effective ways to depict the climate crisis in film and tv. The project allowed me to c… — **CLIMATE STORYTELLING**
In 2020, I developed a landscape report on the current state of climate storytelling for a major foundation that wanted to better understand effective ways to depict the climate crisis in film and tv. The project allowed me to connect with and learn from leaders in the field, including NRDC’s Rewrite the Future; the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication; the Environmental Defense Fund; and USC’s Hollywood Health & Society.

A THOUSAND CUTS25 partner organizations working in pro-democracy and press freedom advocacyCombined 8.4M+ social media following of promotional partners5 high touch partner activations and 2 digital activations for film social media channels, with o… — **A THOUSAND CUTS**
**25 partner organizations working in pro-democracy and press freedom advocacy**
**Combined 8.4M+ social media following of promotional partners**
**5 high touch partner activations and 2 digital activations for film social media channels, with organizations like** **The Atlantic Council** **and** **Lawfare**

PARIS TO PITTSBURGH1,317 screenings in all 50 states with an estimated audience of over 56,0005 key partnerships with leading environmental organizations including the NRDC, Mothers Out Front, and Interfaith Power & LightCo-branded toolkit with … — **PARIS TO PITTSBURGH**
**1,317 screenings in all 50 states with an estimated audience of over 56,000**
**5 key partnerships with leading environmental organizations including the NRDC, Mothers Out Front, and Interfaith Power & Light**
**Co-branded toolkit with Interfaith Power & Light to center faith-based approaches to the climate crisis**

AFTER PARKLAND80 total screenings on a nationwide day of action, including 24 that were hosted by key organizations and activists to amplify their workEngaged 37 organizations as hosts, co-hosts, and promotional partnersCreated a film-specific votin… — **AFTER PARKLAND**
**80 total screenings on a nationwide day of action, including 24 that were hosted by key organizations and activists to amplify their work**
**Engaged 37 organizations as hosts, co-hosts, and promotional partners**
**Created a film-specific voting portal with TurboVote, where audiences could check their voting status and learn more about upcoming elections**

THE FIGHT21 partner organizations at the forefront of human and civil rights12 virtual cinema fundraisers10x10 To Join the Fight activation with the ACLU — **THE FIGHT**
**21 partner organizations at the forefront of human and civil rights**
**12 virtual cinema fundraisers**
**10x10 To Join the Fight** **activation with the ACLU**

UNLIKELY185 community screenings with over 17K attendees18 partners for theatrical release — **UNLIKELY**
**185 community screenings with over 17K attendees**
**18 partners for theatrical release**

RUNNING WITH BETO 4 curated events in 4 red or purple states: TX, MI, WI & WY400 “Ask Me Who I’m Running With” pins distributed at eventsAs a result of the Running With Series event in McAllen, TX, 71 new volunteers signed up to participate in f… — **RUNNING WITH BETO**
**4 curated events in 4 red or purple states: TX, MI, WI & WY**
**400 “Ask Me Who I’m Running With” pins distributed at events**
**As a result of the Running With Series event in McAllen, TX, 71 new volunteers signed up to participate in future civic engagement events through Cambio Texas**