Special event - Talk followed by secret film screening
What do impact campaigns accomplish in the creative landscape, and what is the role and responsibility of the media in driving that social impact? Inspired by the film "Don't Look Up", where Benn produced the impact campaign, we will explore this dynamic together. When the ethics are no longer focused on being accurate, but rather being first,and being attention grabbing, it becomes difficult for people to discern what is and is not an important story. So we wonder how some of the most important stories either fall through the ether entirely, or are seen and dismissed by the apparatus of the 24 hour news cycle and 3 second refresh feeds. That's what films like Don't Look Up tackle so well.
Benn is a SXSW Grand Jury Prize & UNICEF Prize winning, Oscar Shortlisted, Webby nominated producer. He has been a social impact advisor and producer working across film, games and events, with a mission to bridge gaps between story and policy, and ultimately champion vast perspectives to aid social movement. He is the Head of Partnerships for Neon Picturehouse, and Executive Producer & Vice-Chairman of HF Productions. He serves as an Advisor of Think Film, Global Environment Media, Screen South, SIE Society, and Treun House Atelier. Benn also consults on projects from producing Netflix impact campaigns (“Don’t Look Up”, “Breaking Boundaries…), Sony’s Picture This, and SDGs in Action with UN DESA as part of the High Level Political Forum.