Film Indy & Indianapolis go to the United Nations

UN Empowering Women and Girls Summit 2030

You might be wondering what a Film Commissioner is doing at the United Nations Women and Girls 2030 Summit. I didn’t originally attend this for the film office but after reflecting on the day, I feel it aligns greatly with our work. For those of you that are filmmakers you know that film(and media)is often a reflection of our society and issues we are facing as humanity. I also happen to believe bringing my passions to every aspect of my life is a necessary way to show up authentically, and empowering women and girls is definitely my biggest passion.

If you have been reading our medium posts, one of the missions at Film Indy is to export our city (Indianapolis)nationally and globally. What better way to do that than spending a day at the United Nations?

Connectivity is one key ingredient to expanding any mission but also expanding perspectives. When we create in a silo we often tell stories that only relate to our own experiences and reflect the people we already know and perpetuate the same beliefs. If I was reminded of anything at the UN yesterday it is that showing up to places we have never been or going outside of our comfort zones is key to progress and success. I was also so proud to be in the company of many other Indianapolis Leaders representing our great city globally - Jennifer Pope Baker of The Womens Fund, Sunny Lu Williams of Telamon, Eliza Lo Chin of American Medical Women’s Association and Saralyn Mark founder of iGiant. Take a moment with me to reflect on the fact that I had the privilege to sit next to these women. Wow.

People often underestimate the midwest. One root cause of that is our humble nature. We aren’t ones to boast, but the truth is, we really should. People should know what we are up to, what we stand for, and where we are trying to go. I also was reminded yesterday that women don’t tend to ask for what they need (I am so guilty!) and I believe this is a bit true of the midwest. We think we have to do it all on our own, but we don’t.

The reality is, in one year as Film Commissioner I have noticed that a lot of our filmmakers/creators/artists are super interested in telling POSITIVE stories.

I am going to leave this right here…

Indianapolis Adventure Company, DNK Presents documentary, Live Adventurously

Yes, the ones where people are doing kind and charitable things. One of my favorite production and creative agencies, Innovative, does pro-bono storytelling for Riley Children’s Hospital. Isn’t that story worth telling?

I often hear in content development meetings across the country that people don’t want to watch people being nice on television. And ya know, maybe that is true in most instances (but talk about a perspective perpetuating itself). After attending the summit at the UN I feel like there are definitely people around the world that would have great interest in seeing what Indianapolis is creating. And if Indiana ends up being known for a place that generates positive, impactful storytelling, I will be proud.

It would be a waste not to include some key takeaways from the amazing speakers at the summit. I am certainly even more fired up to fight alongside this global cause but I also saw how a lot of the key components of success to change making mirror the key components of success to filmmaking (which sometimes equals change making!).

Here are a few highlights:

According to the UN Foundation, Generation Z & Millennials spend 10 hours a day on their tech devices looking at content (whaaaaat? content content content!)

June Sugayama of Vodafone America Foundation says keys to the success of their social innovation start-ups are:

Passion for the people they are serving

Ability to listen and include those people in their process

Not staying complacent (continuing to solve problems once problems are solved)

In the next 10 years Artificial Intelligence is going to replace 50% of the work force (you could say that this means creative jobs/workforce will be of even more importance? cough cough, filmmaking/content creation)

Companies that are known for supporting their workforce (and specifically women) have a “You have a dream, we will back it up” mentality.

I had a great day listening and learning from Global Leaders and I am excited to bring that energy back to our great city.

Also if you are free this weekend and looking for something cool to do, join me on Saturday for the closing night of Indy Film Fest . Tickets here.

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Indianapolis Film Commission

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