Which causes do we support?
We support many causes, but as a general guideline, we are focused on the UN’s 17 SDGs (The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals). These 17 goals designed to transform our world include no poverty, zero hunger, good health and well-being, quality education, gender equality, clean water and sanitation, affordable and clean energy, decent work and economic growth, industry, innovation, and infrastructure. Reduced inequalities, sustainable cities and communities, responsible consumption and production, climate action, life below water, life on land, peace, justice, and strong institutions and partnerships for the goals.
How does it work?
We work with the festival to determine if any of the films are good candidates to connect with a cause. Then we reach out to local community groups associated with that cause. For example, if there’s a film about pollution in the ocean, we might contact a local group that does beach clean ups, or a local environmental group or a local group that protests pollution. We then invite them to participate with us at the festival. They may simply send literature to display, or they may send a group to sit at a table at the festival. Or they may participate in fundraising activities such as selling tickets (where they get to keep a percentage of the ticket price) or interactive activities such as our photo booth (where they can ask for a donation in exchange for participation).
Act Local’s Mission
Frustrated with where the world is going? Don’t give up! Join Act Local–Making the world better, one film at a time.
We are a nonprofit group committed to transforming cinema and creativity into concrete change for your community. We partner with film festivals and other events to connect films with causes so that, at the moment, audiences are most inspired, and they can connect with local groups to donate time, effort, and money to improve their neighborhoods.
Act Local Community: Upcoming Events
Connect with our community of filmmakers, festival directors, SDG advocates, and filmgoers by signing up for our newsletter to find out about events and opportunities to learn more, watch more films, and help make a difference.
2024 Wrap-up Film Festival Partnerships
Recent Successes
Act Local Festivals
Welcome to our outreach
We are encouraging support and actively providing resources to those who are ultimately aiding the United Nations in what is known as the SDGS 17 (aka Sustainable Development Goals).
Our group has created a set of tools that empowers festivals and theaters worldwide to create local events in support of the SDGs. The tools are made available as templated/whitepaper “recipe” books, apps, post-production software, theatrical distribution technologies, and access to the human resources and opportunities that our advisors and partners can provide.
We help bring the creative talent of filmmakers together with the festival event teams in support of ESG & DEI initiatives and of course utlimately the UN’s SDGS 17.
ESG & DEI
If you are an executive of a ‘for-profit’ company, or NGO with the role of ESG (Environmental, Social Governance) or DEI (Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion).
Filmmakers
If you are a filmmaker who’s creating content and have a sustainability, or SDGS 17 theme, we’d like offer our help.
Festivals
If you are a festival which has a sustainability, or an SDGS 17 theme, we’d like offer our help.
Non Profits
If you are a ’cause’ oriented non-profit which fits into one of the 17 sustainability goals, we’d like to help you engage with local artists to create more local engagement.
Cinema & Movie Theatres
Are you lookiung to add more ‘events’ to your local programming, have you thought about working with festivals?
Ecosystem of interested parties
The driving force of this effort will come out of the alignment of all stakeholders allowing everyone (for-profits and nonprofits alike) to benefit. 
The SDGs need messaging at the local level. Cinema theaters can act as the venue for local groups to host events. Local artists (filmmakers), and regional artists are already creating content in support of such efforts. Both local businesses and large businesses are looking to their own initiatives for good like Environmental, Social Governance (ESG), and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), and other corporate goals which will align well with the SDGs. NGO’s, and local memberships of NGO’s need for members to talk and engage in conversations’ and events to promote their own efforts locally. Festivals and filmmakers provide the coordination and content which drives the entire effort.
How to get involved
