THE SIXTH ANNUAL MEDIA THAT MATTERS FILM FESTIVAL
An image captures a feeling, a story shares
a message, a movie becomes a movement. Media That Matters brings you 16 inspiring films by youth and independent filmmakers
committed to changing the world, in 8 minutes or less.
How to Watch a Film
To start watching films, choose your connection speed on the left and click on
one of the images above.
For a text-only version of this page, please click here.
Slip of the Tongue
4:06 min
Youth Slam
Winner of the Jury Award Sponsored by
Adobe Systems
“What’s your ethnic make up?” A young man makes a pass at a beautiful stranger and gets an
eye-opening schooling on race and gender.
A Girl Like Me
7:08 min
Youth Documentary
Winner of the Diversity Award
Sponsored by Third Millennium Foundation
Color is more than skin deep for young African-American women struggling to define themselves.
In Transit
5:51 min
Documentary
Winner of the Global Health Award Sponsored
by Daniel B. and Florence E. Green Foundation
War may be over in the Democratic Republic of Congo, but many Congolese
women continue to battle for their reproductive health.
Water Warriors
6:17 min
Documentary
Winner of the Environment Award Sponsored
by Loreto Bay Company
When water costs soar, residents of Highland Park, Michigan demand to know who will foot
the bill.
How Wal-Mart Came to Haslett
3:16 min
Exposé
Winner of the Changemaker Award Sponsored
by Working Films
Michigan youth investigate the dubious circumstances under which a Wal-Mart appeared on a wetland
in their small town.
The Rules of the Game
8:24 min
Documentary
Winner of the Community Discourse Award
A
Native American tribe’s dreams of prosperity clash with small town values in Rohnert Park, California.
Permission
1:00 min
Public Service Announcement
Winner of the Lesbian,
Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Rights Award
Whose permission would you need to get married to the person you love?
Eyes on the Fair Use of the Prize
2:11 min
Advocacy Short
Winner of the Fair Use Award Sponsored
by Center for Social Media
Copyright abuse or Fair Use? Learn how much is at stake when vital films are pulled from public discourse.
Book 'Em: Undereducated, Overincarcerated
3:03 min
Youth Documentary
Winner of the Criminal Justice
Award
In New Haven, Connecticut the pipeline from school to prison is shorter than you might think.
(Hate) Machine
4:45 min
Satire
Winner of the Media Literacy Award Sponsored
by Utne Magazine
When media messages are constructed, sometimes truth hits the cutting room floor.
In the Morning
4:25 min
Dramatic Narrative
Winner of the Women’s
Rights Award
When a young Turkish woman is raped, there is nothing honorable about revenge.
Bread
4:56 min
Documentary
Winner of the Global Justice Award
Sponsored by Seventh Generation
Guatemalan brothers Edwin and Edson crush rocks with their father so their family
has enough to eat.
Asparagus! (A Stalk-umentary)
5:57 min
Documentary
Winner of the Good Food Award Sponsored
by W.K. Kellogg Foundation
Journey to the “Asparagus Capital of the World” to discover why one little vegetable is so important.
Recycle
6:00 min
Documentary
Winner of the Sustainability Award
Sponsored by Stoneyfield Farm
Poet Miguel Diaz transforms poverty into cultivation in the middle of a Los Angeles street.
Night Visions
7:07 min
Documentary
Winner of the War and Peace Award Sponsored
by Netflix
Individuals enlist in the U.S. military for different reasons, but they all return from war, changed.
No Child
8:19 min
Youth Documentary
Winner of the Knowledge is Power
Award Sponsored by Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Foundation
Minneapolis hip-hoppers Shakademic and Glenn Scott get the inside scoop on military recruiting tactics.