Films for the Planet

Compathos Foundation

Who we are. Compathos Foundation is an arts and media non-profit whose mission is to share stories about important environmental and social issues that inspire people to take action that will bring positive and compassionate change to the world. Our online streaming media platform, Films for the Planet, features the best in environmental and social transformation films on demand.

What we do. Compathos fulfills its mission by collaborating with a host of non-profits, social change artists and filmmakers who recognize the power of arts, media and entertainment as a dynamic force for transformation and social good. Not only do we produce award-winning films, immersive/interactive media, student media expeditions, and events – such as the Film with Social Impact Director Series and RELEVATE Film Forum – we collaborate with a community of award-winning creative professionals to produce work for a range of clients including Discovery Channel, CBS, NBC Studios, Fox, MTV, B2 Entertainment, Dean River Cinema, Warner Brothers, MGM Studios, Paramount Pictures, Dreamworks, O’Neill, ESPN, Fox, FUEL TV, the Smithsonian and the United Nations.

How we do it. By providing strategic insight and fiscal sponsorship, Compathos helps mission-driven organizations and content producers navigate and leverage the ever-changing dynamics and tools in technology and storytelling to maximize their social impact.

In 2017 we launched our streaming platform, Films for the Planet, which represents a curation of the best in environmental and social transformational films on demand. Viewers can access hundreds of documentaries and high quality content for social impact, lifelong learning and community engagement. They can also participate in real-time events that draw upon a network of luminary filmmakers, scholars and movement makers to engage in thematic film conversations, both online and off. These dialogues provide opportunity for globally connected storytelling that inspires discourse and positive action for the greater good.

In addition to its on demand platform, Films for the Planet, Compathos offers a spectrum of media production, campaign development and community engagement tools, including educational curricula aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), that deliver measurable impacts and draw in multiple stakeholders in achieving complex systems solutions. For example, in 2016 Films for the Planet produced Rise of the Eco-Warriors Impact Report, a case study and data visualization to describe the positive impacts of the documentary, TV series and immersive story ecosystem. Filmed in Indonesia, it raises consumer awareness about the overconsumption of palm oil and devastating effects of deforestation, which accounts for about 12 percent of the world’s annual carbon emissions. The groundbreaking educational curriculum uses proprietary satellite technology to monitor illegal deforestation.

Why do we this. We believe through creative collaboration and the transformative power of media, we can inspire individuals to take action to affect positive world change. Our collection of hundreds of films – available on a single platform – makes it easy to find stories to help inform more people about our most critical environmental and social issues. It’s by increasing awareness about these issues and engaging diverse audiences, we aim to generate the conversations and collective actions among communities worldwide. One film at a time, we can align our consciousness and discover real-world solutions to make our world a better place.

Our key priorities

1. Build awareness around complex environmental and social issues through educational film documentaries and storytelling that inspires action.
2. Encourage individual and community engagement around cause-related films by providing community engagement tool kits.
3. Build awareness and education of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through educational documentaries, film catalogs, educational partnerships and other resources.
4. Support artists, filmmakers, educators and nonprofit organizations engaged in highlighting important causes and by sharing strategic insight and tools for content producers, mission-driven organizations and networked movements.

Programs. Films for the Planet has streamed dozens of free films during our online streaming film series. These events draw upon a network of luminary filmmakers and scholars to inspire generative discourse and informed action. We blend streaming, on-demand and community transformation technologies with new channels for networked storytelling and distribution. Noteworthy themes include creative inspiration, rethinking plastic, regenerate earth, the art of hosting filming, gardening and permaculture, climate action and economic well-being to name a few. Programs also include catalogs of documentaries and VR films aligned with the Global Goals featuring Microsoft Learning, Teach SDGs and SDG Flashcards from Gaia Education.

Focus on the Planet. April is Earth Month, and we’re thrilled about all the activities and events being held worldwide to raise awareness for the environmental protection and care of our planet. Films for the Planet has its own exciting list of signature events aligned with each year’s Earth Day theme. Here’s a sample of what we bring you.

Earth Month events Regenerate Earth and Metamorphic Convergence Streaming Film Series, for example, are journeys of planetary stewardship that shine a light on the path from the present to the future while weaving together regenerative solutions and fresh perspectives from artists, scientists, authors and philosophers. We held interviews with these incredible influencers, watched films and shared new insights on how you can participate and initiate change. Access the learning journey from Films for the Planet and join our newsletter to receive details and updates on future events. Be sure to follow us on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, TWITTER, LINKEDIN, and PINTEREST.

Fact Sheet

• Compathos Foundation is a 501(c)3 arts and media non-profit founded in 2009 by Thea La Grou, Nick Kalbach and Chad Cork. Thea La Grou is Executive Director of Compathos and Managing Director, Films for the Planet.
• In 2009 Compathos launched Compathos.tv, a globally recognized publishing platform and proprietary video player showcasing the best in social impact media. From 2009 to 2016, Compathos amassed over 1500 media and educational resources to generate awareness of important environmental and social issues calling for real-world solutions.
• In 2010 Compathos brought together Hollywood professionals with a team of young photojournalists to produce Drawn from Water in Southern Ethiopia. The original motion picture soundtrack won prestigious world music awards and was scored by Hollywood composer Eric Hester with lyrics by Lale Labuko using traditional instrumentation. The film benefited organizations fostering the resilience of orphaned children and indigenous communities.
• In 2010-2011 Compathos produced the film with Social Impact Director Series. This film series in San Francisco premiered films such as Academy Award Nomination Wasteland, I AM, Fish out of Water, The Stream, The Turning Point and more. The series featured social impact films that were followed by lively panels with honorary speakers and directors such as Hollywood director, Tom Shadyac. The Social Impact Film Series attracted hundreds of Northern Californians and headlined several documentaries later nominated for major awards and Oscars. Partners included Intersection for the Arts, HUB Soma, BAVC and others.
• In 2013 Compathos produced the RELEVATE Impact Film Forum in the Bay Area. The film forum featured a number of relevant documentaries and showcased local youth media initiatives.
• Through our IMRSIV>Storylab program, we explore the intersection of new interactive documentary forms. In 2014, starting as a student contest and media expedition to Brazil, Compathos produced The Xukuru Story – a visual narrative which immerses virtual travelers in a rustic Brazilian landscape as they learn how indigenous communities must fight against pervasive commercial interests for their land and livelihood. It includes a music video of The Tore – a sacred cultural celebration – captured for the first time by Compathos.
• In support of our mission, Compathos provides strategic insight to help mission-driven organizations maximize and measure their media impact. In 2016 Compathos produced Rise of the Eco-Warriors Impact Report, a case study/data visualization to report on the positive impacts of the documentary, TV series and immersive story ecosystem.
• In 2017 Compathos launched Films for the Planet, a streaming platform featuring hundreds of the best environmental and social action films on demand.
• In 2018 Compathos launched its fiscal sponsorship program. This program sponsors projects that have an education, charitable or social mission that creates community and promotes the common good. These include documentary films, arts, music, interactive, experimental or new media technologies such as augmented or virtual reality, as well as media-rich P2P collective learning platforms. Compathos sponsors projects in all phases of development including production, post-production, marketing, distribution and engagement.
• Responsible leaders world-over have committed to 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to help us all achieve a more compassionate, equitable and sustainable world. Educators interested in providing information about the SDGs for the next generation of leaders can access Films for the Planet’s Documentary and VR Film Catalog containing relevant documentaries and VR films, discussion guidelines, and educational resources that are best aligned with the 17 SDG targets. The catalog, launched in 2018, includes an Educator and Community Toolkit that is ideal for those wishing to learn more about the SDGs and how to implement them.
• To achieve complex systems solutions that address global issues, Compathos believes a network approach accelerates the combined missions of global organizations trying to create a better world. We value forging strong alliances with leaders and organizations from diverse sectors. In 2018 we were a Founding Member of Synergized Impact Network Exchange, a network exchange and partnership alliance that relies on “synergized impacts” as a way to raise everyone’s “collective social capital” in order to reach larger audiences.

Focus on the Planet. April is Earth Month, and we’re thrilled about all the activities and events being held worldwide to raise awareness for the environmental protection and care of our planet. Films for the Planet has its own exciting list of signature events aligned with each year’s Earth Day theme. Here’s a sample of what we bring you.

Earth Month events Regenerate Earth and Metamorphic Convergence Streaming Film Series, for example, are journeys of planetary stewardship that shine a light on the path from the present to the future while weaving together regenerative solutions and fresh perspectives from artists, scientists, authors and philosophers. We held interviews with these incredible influencers, watched films and shared new insights on how you can participate and initiate change. Access the learning journey from Films for the Planet and join our newsletter to receive details and updates on future events. Be sure to follow us on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, TWITTER, LINKEDIN, and PINTEREST.

We are grateful for the opportunity to lead talented teams of artists, writers, students, media makers and technologists in the co-creation of relevant media initiatives around the world. Compathos contributors and board members include world-class media producers, cultural creatives, business leaders and whole systems innovators.