http://optimist.co/, http://linktr.ee/optimistfilms

Optimist, Belgrade (2024)

04/12/2024

Excited to announce our panel at this year’s Impact + Profit conference. will be joined by our partners at and . We’ve been hard at work crafting our panel titled "Money on My Mind - A Case Study on Entertainment for Financial Education" that features our film

Impact + Profit positions itself at the intersection of business and entertainment, where the power of storytelling is unleashed to make a positive and lasting social impact. Definitely grab tickets (details below) if you'll be in LA. See you there!

🗓️ December 5 & 6, 2024

📍 Skirball Cultural Center, Los Angeles

🎟️ www.conference.siesociety.org

12/11/2024

Join us for an exclusive Academy Award FYC Event!

This month, we are partnering with , , and , to host a discussion on three short documentaries that spotlight the power of music. Including one of our own!

The free virtual event will feature a Q&A with the directors from all three films: Motoki Otsuka, Molly O’Brien, and Ema Ryan Yamazaki. Moderated by Optimist founders Chris Temple & Zach Ingrasci.

🗓️ Date: Thursday, November 21, 2024
⏰ Time: 5:00 pm PT / 8:00 pm ET
📍 Via Zoom

🎟️ RSVP to watch these exclusive unreleased films at the link in our bio!

Can’t make it this month? Sign up anyway to be the first to know about our future Doc Clubs!

Whether you're a documentary enthusiast or a music lover, everyone is welcome! 🌍✨

.only.girl.in.the.orchestra

28/10/2024

We’re honored to be finalists for the 2024 Anthem Awards! Put on by the Webbys, these awards celebrate impactful, mission-driven work around the world. Show your support by voting for THIS IS NOT FINANCIAL ADVICE until October 31st! Link in bio

24/10/2024

ALL THINGS METAL, our super fun short doc about three brothers who share a love of metalwork and metal music, is NOW STREAMING on and . It also made the short list 🏆and we can’t wait to screen at the festival. & It’s director ’s first documentary - we hope you love it as much as we do! 🎸🤘🎃

22/10/2024

Join us for a free screening of Salam Neighbor TOMORROW (10/23) from 5-6:15 pm EST followed by a Q & A with director Chris Temple and protagonists Raouf & Ismail from 6:30-7:30 EST. Sponsored by the Carnahan Jackson Humanities Fund.

30/08/2024

Last night we brought together our LA community to celebrate storytelling and activism with Creative Visions! We’re so inspired by each of your efforts to build a better future. You help us believe that progress is possible and that it’s not naive to be optimistic, it’s necessary ❤️. This holiday weekend, go spread some optimism!

13/08/2024

In a post-olympics slump? Look no further! Join us for the next Optimist Doc Club this month where we will discuss Mr. Cato, an engaging film about an inspiring teacher who “changes kids’ lives one bike at a time”.

The discussion will feature a Q&A with the film’s director, Ryan Ross, as well as the subject of the film, Mr. Cato himself!

🗓️ Date: Tuesday, August 27, 2024
⏰ Time: 5:00 pm PT / 8:00 pm ET
📍 Via Zoom
🎟️ RSVP (for free!) at the link in bio! 👆

16/07/2024

Join us for the next Optimist Doc Club! This month, we will discuss the New York Times Critics Pick, Gather, an intimate film about Native Americans reclaiming their identities through food sovereignty.

The discussion will feature a Q&A with the film’s director, Sanjay Rawal!

🗓️ Date: Wednesday, July 24, 2024
⏰ Time: 5:00 pm PT / 8:00 pm ET
📍 Via Zoom
🎟️ RSVP (for free!) at the link in bio! 👆

Can’t make it this month? Sign up anyway to be the first to know about our future Doc Clubs!

Whether you’re a documentary enthusiast or just curious, everyone is welcome! 🌍✨

01/07/2024

It is with great excitement and gratitude that we present our first ever Impact Report! We are humbled by the unwavering support of our Optimist community, which has allowed us to ignite “actionable optimism” around the world for the past decade. Dive into this colorful overview of our story to date and explore how you can continue to support our mission for the next 10 years!

See the full report at the link in our bio.

01/07/2024

It is with great excitement and gratitude that we present our first ever Impact Report! We are humbled by the unwavering support of our Optimist community, which has allowed us to ignite “actionable optimism” around the world for the past decade. Dive into this colorful overview of our story to date and explore how you can continue to support our mission for the next 10 years!

Check it out at the link below:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1crm_HEiorwHvSZLY6AzLSMpeVMoVc78r/view

27/06/2024

Jump into the summer with the Optimist Doc Club! We invite you to join us TOMORROW in a light-hearted and fun discussion about the short film I Thought I Told You to Shut Up!! featuring a Q&A with director, Charlie Tyrell! We can’t wait to bring in the sunshine with everyone this month through the playful story of David Boswell and his infamous comic, Reid Fleming.

RSVP to join us for free by clicking on the link in our bio! 👆🏽

Date: Thursday, June 27, 2024
Time: 5:00pm PT/8:00pm ET
Guests: Director, Charlie Tyrell
Location: Zoom (link in bio)

27/06/2024

Jump into the summer with the Optimist Doc Club!

We invite you to join us TOMORROW in a light-hearted and fun discussion about the short film I Thought I Told You to Shut Up!!, featuring a Q&A with director, Charlie Tyrell! We can’t wait to bring in the sunshine with everyone this month through the playful story of David Boswell and his infamous comic, Reid Fleming.

RSVP to join us for free by clicking on the link below:
https://forms.zohopublic.com/optimist/form/EventRegistration/formperma/mRVZ6I9bLHBoVcNndQO5g4If3Vqypkx7UkYqMrN186w

Date: Thursday, June 27, 2024
Time: 5:00pm PT/8:00pm ET
Guests: Director, Charlie Tyrell
Location: Zoom

03/06/2024

Who's going to Tribeca Festival this year? I'm Executive Producing two films that are premiering there that Optimist helped produce. Come out and say hi! I have a few comp tickets left too. Comment below if you need or want to get together in NY.

All Things Metal (Short) - https://tribecafilm.com/films/all-things-metal-2024

Champions of the Golden Valley (Feature) - https://tribecafilm.com/films/champions-of-the-golden-valley-2024

23/04/2024

So stoked to announce our new short documentary ALL THINGS METAL from director Motoki Otsuka () will be world premiering at this June!

It’s an incredible story that highlights the importance of creativity and family through the talented and very metal Patterson brothers. 🤘🎸🎤

17/04/2024

Our new Optimist documentary is headed to Tribeca 2024!! CHAMPIONS OF THE GOLDEN VALLEY was described by Variety today as “an inspiring sports fable and portrait of people in profound political and social transition.”
__
I love this film and it’s inspiring exploration of the concepts of home, sports diplomacy, and the power of the outdoors to unite people. If you care about refugee issues or just love skiing, please comment below so we can talk!!
__
So proud and humbled to work with the director Ben Sturgulewski, producers Katie Stjernholm and Emmy-winner Baktash Ahadi, and fellow Exec Producer Doug Blush. Congratulations on 5+ years of hard work paying off.

16/04/2024

Join our next Optimist Doc Club on April 24th for a free Zoom conversation about Dear Zachary, a powerful life-changing film! We’ll be joined by the film’s director, editor, and producer, Kurt Kuenne, for a 30-minute Q&A.

In 2001, 28-year-old Dr. Andrew Bagby was found dead in a park in Pennsylvania. He had been shot by his ex-girlfriend, who then fled to Canada, where she was able to walk free on bail, pregnant with Andrew’s child. Andrew’s enraged parents campaigned to gain custody of the child and convict their son’s killer. Filmmaker Kurt Kuenne pairs this story with home movies and interviews with those who knew Andrew, hoping to allow his best friend’s son to discover who his dad was.

RSVP to join us for free by clicking on the link in bio! 👆🏽

Date: Wednesday, April 24th
Time: 5:00 pm PT/8:00 pm ET
Where: Join via Zoom (link in bio)

Invite your friends and family, and come ready with any questions for our special guest. And remember to watch the film before April 24th!

15/03/2024

Join us March 27th for a free Zoom conversation about Periodical in celebration of Women’s History Month! We’ll be joined by the film’s director Lina Lyte Plioplyte, and Tampon Tax activists Anusha Singh and Madeleine Morales.

“Periodical,” a new feature documentary from XTR and MSNBC Films, tells the unexpected story of the human body by exploring the marvel and mystery of the menstrual cycle, from first period to last. Bringing you stories from soccer champion Megan Rapinoe who reveals how members of the U.S. Soccer team track their cycles when training for the Women’s World Cup (which they won), to scientists who are discovering the power and possibilities of stem cells found in period blood, to young activists flipping the bill on period tax one state at a time, we uncover the shocking truths, challenge taboos, and celebrate the untapped potential of this special nutrient-dense blood.

Through innovative mixed media storytelling, “Periodical” is for everyone who wants to know more about the menstrual cycle, and especially for those who don’t.

RSVP to join us for free by clicking on the link in bio! 👆🏽

Date: Wednesday, March 27th
Time: 5:00 pm PT/8:00 pm ET
Where: Join via Zoom (link in bio)

Invite your friends and family, and come ready with any questions for our special guests. And remember to watch the film before March 27th!

#

21/02/2024

Join our first hybrid in-person/online Doc Club!

Sunday, February 25th, 2024 at 4:30pm PT

“We are not heroes nor victims, we are survivors...In this film, we show the world who we are, not the labels that are attached to us. With this film, we all dare to dream.”- , director

Optimist in collaboration with the Los Angeles Film Club, presents an exclusive screening of

Join a film screening and panel conversation between producer of We Dare to Dream, Samira Asghari, one of the youngest members of the International Olympic Committee, from Afghanistan, and Director of HRW’s Global Initiatives division. RSVP to join us in person in Los Angeles by visiting HRW.org/LAFilmClub or if you’re not in LA, RSVP to join us for free online by clicking on the link in bio! 👆🏽🎬