The Humanity Code
Pleasanton, California | Film Feature
Documentary
Time is running out to shape AI for humanity's benefit, and we ALL have a role to play. AI offers a profound opportunity for a human renaissance if we get it right, or amplification of our foibles if we don't. The Humanity Code reveals our potential and what we must do at this critical juncture.
The Humanity Code
Pleasanton, California | Film Feature
Documentary
1 Campaigns | California, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $29,365 for pre-production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
80 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
Time is running out to shape AI for humanity's benefit, and we ALL have a role to play. AI offers a profound opportunity for a human renaissance if we get it right, or amplification of our foibles if we don't. The Humanity Code reveals our potential and what we must do at this critical juncture.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Artificial Intelligence is THE most consequential development of our lifetime. And it's up to all of us to shape our destiny.
The 'Humanity Code' refers to the best of our uniquely human wisdom, values, traits, and aspirations that we want encoded into artificial intelligence (AI).
Why? If every one of us is intentional about shaping AI with our highest ideals, we'll create a partner that can help solve our biggest problems and help realize our best dreams. If we don't, AI will simply amplify and accelerate our foibles, leading to a dystopia we all understandably fear.
"The Humanity Code" documentary film explores the profound implications of AI, the critical questions we must ask, and the decisive actions we must take. It also aims to decode what matters most to us and paint a vision for the world we want to -- and can -- create with AI.
This isn't a story about a technology, but rather an examination of our experience with a power we've never experienced before. The film will reveal the thinking and actions of not just the important technologists and policymakers, but also the artists, spiritual leaders, ethicists, business leaders, and others -- including everyday people -- deeply contemplating how to steer the AI ship through these uncharted waters.
No one has all the answers - or ever will. This film is a journey of discovery, a consultation with a global council of sorts, to reveal the best collective wisdom -- for how we use, train, and govern AI.
Because now is all we have. Our world is on the brink of transformation, where the very essence of our human experience could be uplifted or undone by the technology we create. This isn't the plot of a sci-fi saga; this is the stark reality we're living in at his very moment -- all because of AI.
AI is advancing at an exponential pace, and experts predict that the time where machine intelligence matches and then exceeds our own is imminent. All of us are hungry to understand the implications – for jobs, for safety, and for our children’s future.
The time is now for sparking global dialogue and action to secure our best possible future. We don't have long, but we do have NOW. And we have the code – The Humanity Code.
"The Humanity Code" will be a film unlike anything else. But it isn't just a film, though. The same clarion call is fueling an impact initiative empowering ALL of us to be proactive stewards at this crucial juncture. The Humanity Code team and community are crowdsourcing invaluable resources and playbooks, hosting dialogue dinners to air our concerns and reveal solutions, and highlighting the voices and actions of pioneers paving the way.
"The Humanity Code" will:
- Spark vital conversations about the intrinsic code of humanity – so people are no longer afraid of AI, but afraid to not play a part in shaping it.
- Explore the essence of our unique humanity so that AI doesn’t just serve us (or worse, harm us), but elevates us.
- Feature a variety of viewpoints across disciplines and from a global swath of humanity, so that society has a chance at identifying a common set of values and aspirations.
- Equip you and others in our global community in our growing global community, with resources to take action.
Our goal is to raise $50,000 to fund the pre-production of the documentary, including solidifying key agreements and insurance, and get production underway (i.e., start getting behind the camera!) This is just a very small portion of our total budget. We hope you will help us exceed that goal so we can produce the film as quickly as its message warrants.
In the meantime, here are other ways you can help us achieve our goal, and together catalyze a renaissance for humanity.
1. FOLLOW "THE HUMANITY CODE" ON ALL OUR SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS
Check us out on Instagram, LinkedIn, Threads, Facebook, and YouTube. And please ask your friends to follow us too!
2. SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT "THE HUMANITY CODE"
Tell your friends, colleagues, family, and neighbors that we need them to play a role in our collective future with AI. Please share our social media posts, our campaign page, and our backer updates.
3. KEEP FOLLOWING OUR CAMPAIGN
Sign up on our website for updates on all our work, resources, and happenings (including this campaign and behind the scenes).
WANT TO DO / CONTRIBUTE EVEN MORE?
Email [email protected] if you'd like to learn more, have ideas for collaborations, or would like to discuss a larger contribution or equity investment in the film. Humanity and your legacy will thank you!
Q: Why are you crowdfunding?
A: Crowdfunding is a way of raising funds for a project by collecting contributions from a large number of people. This is important to us, because we believe that the more people are engaged with our mission, the more impactful and representative we'll be.
Q: If you hit your goal, what happens to the money you make after that?
A: The film's total budget is much larger than this campaign. All funds raised here, no matter how much over our goal, will offset even more of the film production expenses and allow us to move even faster! This means we can spend less time fundraising and more time making an important film. We would be stoked with this outcome.
Q: Why are you using Seed&Spark instead of Kickstarter or IndieGoGo? I had never heard of it before.
A: We're fans of Seed&Spark because they're a film-specific crowdfunding platform whose mission revolves around empowering a diversity of voices in media. They have a very high success rate and work closely with their customers to help them reach their goals. We appreciate that since this is our first time 'round with crowdfunding.
Q: Who will be interviewed for The Humanity Code documentary? Are you taking suggestions?
A: We are interviewing well-known figures across disciplines as well as everyday people because we all have a role to play in this future with AI. If you have someone you would like to recommend for the film, please email [email protected].
Q: When will the film be complete?
A: If we follow the timeline we've built out we would be complete mid-2025. A lot hinges on our ability to raise funds early, so we appreciate you helping us get there.
Q: Is my contribution tax-deductible?
A: In most cases, contributions to crowdfunding campaigns are not considered tax-deductible because they are typically viewed as personal gifts, so check with a tax professional for more personalized advice. If you are interested in larger-sum contributions that are tax-deductible, please contact [email protected]. We do have a fiscal sponsor who is a 501(c)3.
Q: If I'm receiving a T-shirt as a reward, how will I order the size, style, and color I want?
A: We will send you an email with a link where you will be able to make all the choices you want and have it shipped to your preferred address.
Q: When will I receive my rewards after I back your campaign?
A: It varies by reward. In all cases, though, you will receive email confirmation within a week of your backing us, if not sooner. For receipt of actual awards: The social shoutout and video will be within days after you contribute. If you're receiving a T-shirt, you'll get an email within a week providing information on how to choose your design, style, color, and size; shipping times will vary and are handled by our fulfillment center. We will provide scheduling information on the interactive call (Zoom) rewards as soon as possible after the campaign ends. Other rewards related to the film release will obviously have to be fulfilled at that time, but you will receive confirmation of it shortly after you back us (thank you!).
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
First shoot
Costs $35,000
We're eager to get behind the camera and get our incredible subjects sharing their wisdom.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Founder and Executive Producer: Heidi Lorenzen
Heidi Lorenzen is the founder and executive director of The Humanity Code, a project that reflects Heidi’s lifelong passion for advancing and amplifying conscious leadership – and sparking change.
Named one of the Top 50 Most Powerful Women in Technology by the National Diversity Council in 2021, Heidi’s work is centered at the intersection of technology and impact. Her career as a senior Silicon Valley executive has given her access to the greatest minds, leaders, and innovators in technology and AI, and her personal commitment to probing the depths and possibilities of our humanity have led Heidi to this moment and this project.
Executive roles at technology pioneers and media leaders such as Polycom, Autonomy, and Businessweek, combined with her experience running marketing at Singularity University, place Heidi in the epicenter of explosive technologies, their implications to our shared humanity, and futurism itself.
Deeply entrenched in the world of inner growth, Heidi’s first meditation experience was with the Dalai Lama in 1984, and she’s now a Chopra Global certified meditation instructor.
Heidi has direct access to, or one degree of separation from, the technologists, spiritual leaders, policymakers, and advocates for equity and sustainability who can shape AI. They are the building blocks of this documentary project. She’s a core member of the communities that will embrace the film’s essential message — communities that span the worlds of large corporations, governments, Hollywood, technology, and mindfulness.
Heidi oversees the development, production, and distribution of The Humanity Code documentary feature film, as well as the implementation of a high-impact call-to-action campaign that will empower us all to incorporate our highest ideals into artificial intelligence before the window closes.
Award-Winning Director: Sergio Navarretta
Sergio Navarretta is an internationally recognized award-winning director who is fiercely passionate about bringing meaningful content to the screen. His work is an exploration of the human condition.
Sergio’s latest project, The Cuban, stars Oscar winner Louis Gossett Jr. (An Officer and a Gentleman). The Cuban tells the story of a naïve pre-med student named Mina (Golja) who develops an unlikely friendship with Luis, an elderly Cuban musician with dementia (Gossett Jr.).
Sergio made his directorial debut with Looking for Angelina, a true crime feature that tells the story of one of the most sensational murder cases in North American history. It won numerous awards, was showcased at festivals around the world, played to sold-out theaters in 15 Canadian cities, and ranked among the top five in box office revenues for Canadian films at the time. Sergio created and launched a social action campaign and learning guide alongside the film to raise awareness and spotlight issues of domestic violence.
Sergio’s follow-up feature, The Colossal Failure of the Modern Relationship, starring Enrico Colantoni (Just Shoot Me), traveled on the festival circuit, and premiered at Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood on Oscar weekend. Colossal is currently available on all VOD platforms in the US and Canada, and around the world.
Sergio is proud to have executive produced and overseen all aspects of production for the star- studded animated theatrical feature Arctic Dogs, now on Netflix, featuring Jeremy Renner, James Franco, Anjelica Huston, Alec Baldwin, John Cleese, and Heidi Klum.
Sergio received his education at York University in Toronto and has a background in music from the Royal Conservatory. He sits on boards of several arts organizations and is a member of the Directors Guild of Canada. He is Vice President of S.N.A.P. Films Inc.
Consulting Producer: James Haven
James Haven is a producer, director, former actor, and humanitarian.
The son of Jon Voight and Marcheline Bertrand, James began his professional acting career in 1998. During that time, James had minor roles in several films starring his sister, Angelina Jolie, namely Gia (1998), Hell's Kitchen (1998), and Original Sin (2001). He also appeared in Monster's Ball (2001), which starred his sister's then-husband, Billy Bob Thornton. He appeared in a 2004 episode of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and a 2007 episode of The Game. James retired from acting in 2013.
In 2005, James was the executive producer of the documentary Trudell, which chronicles the life and work of Santee Sioux musician and activist John Trudell. Trudell was an official selection at the Sundance Film Festival and the Tribeca Film Festival; it won the Special Jury Prize for Best Documentary at the Seattle International Film Festival. In 2011, James served as executive producer for the short comedy film That's Our Mary, which follows two actresses awaiting the final casting decision for the role of the Virgin Mary at a faith- based film studio.
Since 2006, James has been the executive board director of Artivist, a festival in Los Angeles that highlights films addressing human rights, animal rights, and environmental issues. He is also a strong advocate for anti-human trafficking initiatives.
James studied at the USC School of Cinema-Television. He has several new projects in the works for 2024, including The Humanity Code.
World-Class Production Talent
Gina Leibrecht is an editor and producer. Known for Ai Weiwei: Yours Truly (2019), How to Smell a Rose: A Visit with Ricky Leacock at his Farm in Normandy (2014) and All in This Tea (2006), her work has screened at venues such as the National Geographic in Washington D.C., Film Forum in New York, the Centre Pompidou in Paris, and the Pacific Film Archive in Berkeley, California, as well as festivals around the world. Gina co-directed two feature documentaries with acclaimed documentarian Les Blank. Features and series she has produced and edited have appeared on most major streaming platforms, including Netflix, Amazon, and iTunes. Films she has edited have won a Northern California Emmy Award, the Golden Gate Award, and a CINE Golden Eagle Award for Excellence in Film and Television. Gina taught a documentary masterclass at the Festival du Nouveau Cinema in Montréal, served on the documentary jury for the Guanajuato International Film Festival in Mexico, and sat on the board of directors of Filmmakers Collaborative SF from 2015 to 2022. She received her B.A. in Telecommunications and Film from the University of Oregon.
Brook Holston is a producer with decades of experience on documentaries and film productions of all kinds. She specializes in budgeting, scheduling, and the myriad details and logistics of getting film crews and equipment to the right place at the right time on planes, trains, boats, helicopters, and even under water. Brook has most recently worked on “Mythbusters” spin-offs for the Discovery Channel: “Being Savage” and “Mythbusters JR” and feature length documentaries including “John Lewis: Good Trouble” (Magnolia Pictures), “Vernon Jordan: Make it Plan” (PBS), “Toxic Hot Seat” (HB0), “The Game Changers” (Netflix), “Paper Tigers” and “The Campaign” (PBS). Early in her career, Brook is known for National Geographic Explorer (1985), Fled (1996) and Mobius (1997). She graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in Journalism and lives in Northern California.
Christy McGill is an award-winning documentary film producer, writer, and communications strategist with a passion for elevating creative ideas into compelling storytelling. She is known for producing the feature documentary films Pasang: In the Shadow of Everest (2022), Ai Weiwei: Yours Truly (2019) and Serenade for Haiti (2016), as well as for co-producing the feature documentary Ghost Bird (2009) and as a consulting producer on the feature documentary The Secret Song (2022). Her award- winning work has garnered praise in reviews in The New York Times, NPR, and The Wall Street Journal, and distribution by Netflix. Christy graduated from Brown University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in American Studies.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Artificial Intelligence is THE most consequential development of our lifetime. And it's up to all of us to shape our destiny.
The 'Humanity Code' refers to the best of our uniquely human wisdom, values, traits, and aspirations that we want encoded into artificial intelligence (AI).
Why? If every one of us is intentional about shaping AI with our highest ideals, we'll create a partner that can help solve our biggest problems and help realize our best dreams. If we don't, AI will simply amplify and accelerate our foibles, leading to a dystopia we all understandably fear.
"The Humanity Code" documentary film explores the profound implications of AI, the critical questions we must ask, and the decisive actions we must take. It also aims to decode what matters most to us and paint a vision for the world we want to -- and can -- create with AI.
This isn't a story about a technology, but rather an examination of our experience with a power we've never experienced before. The film will reveal the thinking and actions of not just the important technologists and policymakers, but also the artists, spiritual leaders, ethicists, business leaders, and others -- including everyday people -- deeply contemplating how to steer the AI ship through these uncharted waters.
No one has all the answers - or ever will. This film is a journey of discovery, a consultation with a global council of sorts, to reveal the best collective wisdom -- for how we use, train, and govern AI.
Because now is all we have. Our world is on the brink of transformation, where the very essence of our human experience could be uplifted or undone by the technology we create. This isn't the plot of a sci-fi saga; this is the stark reality we're living in at his very moment -- all because of AI.
AI is advancing at an exponential pace, and experts predict that the time where machine intelligence matches and then exceeds our own is imminent. All of us are hungry to understand the implications – for jobs, for safety, and for our children’s future.
The time is now for sparking global dialogue and action to secure our best possible future. We don't have long, but we do have NOW. And we have the code – The Humanity Code.
"The Humanity Code" will be a film unlike anything else. But it isn't just a film, though. The same clarion call is fueling an impact initiative empowering ALL of us to be proactive stewards at this crucial juncture. The Humanity Code team and community are crowdsourcing invaluable resources and playbooks, hosting dialogue dinners to air our concerns and reveal solutions, and highlighting the voices and actions of pioneers paving the way.
"The Humanity Code" will:
- Spark vital conversations about the intrinsic code of humanity – so people are no longer afraid of AI, but afraid to not play a part in shaping it.
- Explore the essence of our unique humanity so that AI doesn’t just serve us (or worse, harm us), but elevates us.
- Feature a variety of viewpoints across disciplines and from a global swath of humanity, so that society has a chance at identifying a common set of values and aspirations.
- Equip you and others in our global community in our growing global community, with resources to take action.
Our goal is to raise $50,000 to fund the pre-production of the documentary, including solidifying key agreements and insurance, and get production underway (i.e., start getting behind the camera!) This is just a very small portion of our total budget. We hope you will help us exceed that goal so we can produce the film as quickly as its message warrants.
In the meantime, here are other ways you can help us achieve our goal, and together catalyze a renaissance for humanity.
1. FOLLOW "THE HUMANITY CODE" ON ALL OUR SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS
Check us out on Instagram, LinkedIn, Threads, Facebook, and YouTube. And please ask your friends to follow us too!
2. SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT "THE HUMANITY CODE"
Tell your friends, colleagues, family, and neighbors that we need them to play a role in our collective future with AI. Please share our social media posts, our campaign page, and our backer updates.
3. KEEP FOLLOWING OUR CAMPAIGN
Sign up on our website for updates on all our work, resources, and happenings (including this campaign and behind the scenes).
WANT TO DO / CONTRIBUTE EVEN MORE?
Email [email protected] if you'd like to learn more, have ideas for collaborations, or would like to discuss a larger contribution or equity investment in the film. Humanity and your legacy will thank you!
Q: Why are you crowdfunding?
A: Crowdfunding is a way of raising funds for a project by collecting contributions from a large number of people. This is important to us, because we believe that the more people are engaged with our mission, the more impactful and representative we'll be.
Q: If you hit your goal, what happens to the money you make after that?
A: The film's total budget is much larger than this campaign. All funds raised here, no matter how much over our goal, will offset even more of the film production expenses and allow us to move even faster! This means we can spend less time fundraising and more time making an important film. We would be stoked with this outcome.
Q: Why are you using Seed&Spark instead of Kickstarter or IndieGoGo? I had never heard of it before.
A: We're fans of Seed&Spark because they're a film-specific crowdfunding platform whose mission revolves around empowering a diversity of voices in media. They have a very high success rate and work closely with their customers to help them reach their goals. We appreciate that since this is our first time 'round with crowdfunding.
Q: Who will be interviewed for The Humanity Code documentary? Are you taking suggestions?
A: We are interviewing well-known figures across disciplines as well as everyday people because we all have a role to play in this future with AI. If you have someone you would like to recommend for the film, please email [email protected].
Q: When will the film be complete?
A: If we follow the timeline we've built out we would be complete mid-2025. A lot hinges on our ability to raise funds early, so we appreciate you helping us get there.
Q: Is my contribution tax-deductible?
A: In most cases, contributions to crowdfunding campaigns are not considered tax-deductible because they are typically viewed as personal gifts, so check with a tax professional for more personalized advice. If you are interested in larger-sum contributions that are tax-deductible, please contact [email protected]. We do have a fiscal sponsor who is a 501(c)3.
Q: If I'm receiving a T-shirt as a reward, how will I order the size, style, and color I want?
A: We will send you an email with a link where you will be able to make all the choices you want and have it shipped to your preferred address.
Q: When will I receive my rewards after I back your campaign?
A: It varies by reward. In all cases, though, you will receive email confirmation within a week of your backing us, if not sooner. For receipt of actual awards: The social shoutout and video will be within days after you contribute. If you're receiving a T-shirt, you'll get an email within a week providing information on how to choose your design, style, color, and size; shipping times will vary and are handled by our fulfillment center. We will provide scheduling information on the interactive call (Zoom) rewards as soon as possible after the campaign ends. Other rewards related to the film release will obviously have to be fulfilled at that time, but you will receive confirmation of it shortly after you back us (thank you!).
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
First shoot
Costs $35,000
We're eager to get behind the camera and get our incredible subjects sharing their wisdom.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Founder and Executive Producer: Heidi Lorenzen
Heidi Lorenzen is the founder and executive director of The Humanity Code, a project that reflects Heidi’s lifelong passion for advancing and amplifying conscious leadership – and sparking change.
Named one of the Top 50 Most Powerful Women in Technology by the National Diversity Council in 2021, Heidi’s work is centered at the intersection of technology and impact. Her career as a senior Silicon Valley executive has given her access to the greatest minds, leaders, and innovators in technology and AI, and her personal commitment to probing the depths and possibilities of our humanity have led Heidi to this moment and this project.
Executive roles at technology pioneers and media leaders such as Polycom, Autonomy, and Businessweek, combined with her experience running marketing at Singularity University, place Heidi in the epicenter of explosive technologies, their implications to our shared humanity, and futurism itself.
Deeply entrenched in the world of inner growth, Heidi’s first meditation experience was with the Dalai Lama in 1984, and she’s now a Chopra Global certified meditation instructor.
Heidi has direct access to, or one degree of separation from, the technologists, spiritual leaders, policymakers, and advocates for equity and sustainability who can shape AI. They are the building blocks of this documentary project. She’s a core member of the communities that will embrace the film’s essential message — communities that span the worlds of large corporations, governments, Hollywood, technology, and mindfulness.
Heidi oversees the development, production, and distribution of The Humanity Code documentary feature film, as well as the implementation of a high-impact call-to-action campaign that will empower us all to incorporate our highest ideals into artificial intelligence before the window closes.
Award-Winning Director: Sergio Navarretta
Sergio Navarretta is an internationally recognized award-winning director who is fiercely passionate about bringing meaningful content to the screen. His work is an exploration of the human condition.
Sergio’s latest project, The Cuban, stars Oscar winner Louis Gossett Jr. (An Officer and a Gentleman). The Cuban tells the story of a naïve pre-med student named Mina (Golja) who develops an unlikely friendship with Luis, an elderly Cuban musician with dementia (Gossett Jr.).
Sergio made his directorial debut with Looking for Angelina, a true crime feature that tells the story of one of the most sensational murder cases in North American history. It won numerous awards, was showcased at festivals around the world, played to sold-out theaters in 15 Canadian cities, and ranked among the top five in box office revenues for Canadian films at the time. Sergio created and launched a social action campaign and learning guide alongside the film to raise awareness and spotlight issues of domestic violence.
Sergio’s follow-up feature, The Colossal Failure of the Modern Relationship, starring Enrico Colantoni (Just Shoot Me), traveled on the festival circuit, and premiered at Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood on Oscar weekend. Colossal is currently available on all VOD platforms in the US and Canada, and around the world.
Sergio is proud to have executive produced and overseen all aspects of production for the star- studded animated theatrical feature Arctic Dogs, now on Netflix, featuring Jeremy Renner, James Franco, Anjelica Huston, Alec Baldwin, John Cleese, and Heidi Klum.
Sergio received his education at York University in Toronto and has a background in music from the Royal Conservatory. He sits on boards of several arts organizations and is a member of the Directors Guild of Canada. He is Vice President of S.N.A.P. Films Inc.
Consulting Producer: James Haven
James Haven is a producer, director, former actor, and humanitarian.
The son of Jon Voight and Marcheline Bertrand, James began his professional acting career in 1998. During that time, James had minor roles in several films starring his sister, Angelina Jolie, namely Gia (1998), Hell's Kitchen (1998), and Original Sin (2001). He also appeared in Monster's Ball (2001), which starred his sister's then-husband, Billy Bob Thornton. He appeared in a 2004 episode of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and a 2007 episode of The Game. James retired from acting in 2013.
In 2005, James was the executive producer of the documentary Trudell, which chronicles the life and work of Santee Sioux musician and activist John Trudell. Trudell was an official selection at the Sundance Film Festival and the Tribeca Film Festival; it won the Special Jury Prize for Best Documentary at the Seattle International Film Festival. In 2011, James served as executive producer for the short comedy film That's Our Mary, which follows two actresses awaiting the final casting decision for the role of the Virgin Mary at a faith- based film studio.
Since 2006, James has been the executive board director of Artivist, a festival in Los Angeles that highlights films addressing human rights, animal rights, and environmental issues. He is also a strong advocate for anti-human trafficking initiatives.
James studied at the USC School of Cinema-Television. He has several new projects in the works for 2024, including The Humanity Code.
World-Class Production Talent
Gina Leibrecht is an editor and producer. Known for Ai Weiwei: Yours Truly (2019), How to Smell a Rose: A Visit with Ricky Leacock at his Farm in Normandy (2014) and All in This Tea (2006), her work has screened at venues such as the National Geographic in Washington D.C., Film Forum in New York, the Centre Pompidou in Paris, and the Pacific Film Archive in Berkeley, California, as well as festivals around the world. Gina co-directed two feature documentaries with acclaimed documentarian Les Blank. Features and series she has produced and edited have appeared on most major streaming platforms, including Netflix, Amazon, and iTunes. Films she has edited have won a Northern California Emmy Award, the Golden Gate Award, and a CINE Golden Eagle Award for Excellence in Film and Television. Gina taught a documentary masterclass at the Festival du Nouveau Cinema in Montréal, served on the documentary jury for the Guanajuato International Film Festival in Mexico, and sat on the board of directors of Filmmakers Collaborative SF from 2015 to 2022. She received her B.A. in Telecommunications and Film from the University of Oregon.
Brook Holston is a producer with decades of experience on documentaries and film productions of all kinds. She specializes in budgeting, scheduling, and the myriad details and logistics of getting film crews and equipment to the right place at the right time on planes, trains, boats, helicopters, and even under water. Brook has most recently worked on “Mythbusters” spin-offs for the Discovery Channel: “Being Savage” and “Mythbusters JR” and feature length documentaries including “John Lewis: Good Trouble” (Magnolia Pictures), “Vernon Jordan: Make it Plan” (PBS), “Toxic Hot Seat” (HB0), “The Game Changers” (Netflix), “Paper Tigers” and “The Campaign” (PBS). Early in her career, Brook is known for National Geographic Explorer (1985), Fled (1996) and Mobius (1997). She graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in Journalism and lives in Northern California.
Christy McGill is an award-winning documentary film producer, writer, and communications strategist with a passion for elevating creative ideas into compelling storytelling. She is known for producing the feature documentary films Pasang: In the Shadow of Everest (2022), Ai Weiwei: Yours Truly (2019) and Serenade for Haiti (2016), as well as for co-producing the feature documentary Ghost Bird (2009) and as a consulting producer on the feature documentary The Secret Song (2022). Her award- winning work has garnered praise in reviews in The New York Times, NPR, and The Wall Street Journal, and distribution by Netflix. Christy graduated from Brown University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in American Studies.