Documentary films and TV series have emerged as one of the most in-demand genres in the entertainment industry. Since the pandemic, demand for documentaries has increased significantly, driven by their authentic portrayal of real-life events. In the United States, reports indicate that during 2023 documentaries accounted for 13.2 percent of total demand for all shows.
However, nonprofit groups understand that in an era of social justice and activism documentaries can serve as an effective tool for distributing content that aligns with their perspectives. One example is how big funders like the Ford Foundation have heavily funded independent left-of-center documentaries in the last years.
The Documentary
The 2024 Sundance Film Festival showcased 82 feature-length films, including more than 40 documentaries. The highly acclaimed Porcelain War, directed by Brendan Bellomo and Slava Leontyev, won the Grand Jury Prize for U.S. Documentary. The film explores the impact of the war in Ukraine while highlighting the value of art through the creation of porcelain figures during the conflict.
A review from The New York Times praised the film’s artistic direction for its portrayal of the conflict, conveying “a message of hope rooted in art,” while also celebrating “Ukraine’s military defense, making for a jangly mix of idyll and warfare.”
However, beneath the layer of artistic praise lies a hidden message within the movie, which presents only one side of the narrative without thoroughly exploring the problem from multiple perspectives. In an interview with the Ukrainian Weekly, co-director Stanislav Leontyev emphasized that Porcelain War serves as a cautionary tale, warning audiences of what could “happen to other people and countries if Russia continues onward and Ukraine’s resources are dwindling.”
Nonprofits Support and Their History
What makes Porcelain War even more intriguing are the nonprofits behind it. Three of the groups that helped produce this film—Far Star Media, Sobrato Philanthropies, and the Howard G. Buffett Foundation—are media and grantmaking organizations that work to advance causes that align with their ideologies.
Far Star Media is a filmmaking organization affiliated with the Far Star Action Fund, a grantmaking organization. The group focuses on funding and producing films that promote environmentalist policies and other left-of-center causes. In 2022, its tax filings revealed that it made donations ranging from $50,000 to $500,000 to various Democratic and left-of-center groups. One notable recipient was Evergreen Action, a climate change advocacy group and a former project of the Sixteen Thirty Fund, part of the Arabella Advisors nonprofit network.
In 2017, David and Linda Cornfield, Far Star Action Fund founders, were listed as executive producers for the documentary Chasing Coral, while the Ford Foundation and the Open Society Foundations provided “additional Sundance support” according to the credits. The film highlights the devastating impact of global warming on coral reefs through the work of the Ocean Agency, a left-of-center organization dedicated to raising awareness about oceanic environmental issues.
Chasing Coral was primarily produced by Exposure Labs, a film company known for creating impactful environmental and other films, including The Social Dilemma and Chasing Ice.
Additionally, the Far Star Action Fund has supported Exposure Labs productions since 2018, with grants ranging from $110,000 to $600,000.
Sobrato Philanthropies is a grantmaking organization based in Silicon Valley. It partners with various communities to provide resources aimed at supporting families in need. In 2017, Sobrato Philanthropies donated $275,000 in grants to nonprofits that opposed the immigration policies of the Trump administration. Over the years, Sobrato Philanthropies has also given grants to left-leaning organizations such as the New Venture Fund. Lisa Sobrato Sonsini, chair of the Sobrato Owners Council and founding board chair of the Sobrato Family Foundation, was also listed as an executive producer for Porcelain War.
Moreover, Sobrato Philanthropies is listed as having donated to the Sundance Film Festival grants ranging from $25,000 and $49,999.
The Howard G. Buffett Foundation is a grantmaking nonprofit focused on supporting communities affected by local conflict, human trafficking, and food scarcity. The group has also expressed its support for Ukraine by publishing papers and documents advocating for the nation. In 2020, the Howard G. Buffett Foundation received one small grant directly from the New Venture Fund.
No Longer Just Entertainment
All these collaborations exemplify the use of documentary filmmaking as a powerful tool for advocacy, while also shedding light on the intricate connections and operational frameworks within the philanthropic sector. As Porcelain War was just released in theatres, it’s evident that documentaries are no longer just entertainment. They are part of a larger strategy. Backed by powerful nonprofit networks, films like Porcelain War have the power to shape public opinion. But with so much nonprofit influence behind the scenes, we have to ask: How much power do these organizations have in shaping the stories we see on screen?
