Bridge Entertainment Labs

Will & Harper is a heartfelt documentary that invites us on a journey through friendship, growth, and vulnerability. As Will Ferrell and his friend Harper travel across the country in a journey of re-orienting their relationship following Harper’s transition, their story unfolds into a powerful exploration of connection and understanding as Harper explores areas of the country, and herself, she has shied away from in recent years. A proud Iowan, Harper has a lifelong love for rural America, and her affection for the heartland shines brightly throughout her travels. But the question remains: Can Middle America embrace her back? Will & Harper defies stereotypes about Middle America, capturing its complexity, compassion, and openness in ways that might surprise you, without ignoring the real hostility many trans people do face. This film reminds us that overcoming fear and embracing honest conversations grounded in empathy and listening have the power to build relationships and shift perspectives. By reflecting authentic experiences both of Harper’s journey and those around her, Will & Harper shows us just how transformative storytelling can be. Now streaming on Netflix, this is one journey you won’t want to miss.

We were excited to learn, Berlinale Talents, the talent hub of the Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale), announced the theme of the 23rd edition of their upcoming event, “Listen Courageously: Cinematic Narratives in Times of Dissonance.” From February 15 to 20, 2025, at HAU Hebbel am Ufer in Berlin, this dynamic event will gather 200 emerging filmmakers from across the globe for an immersive five-day program, focused on the transformative power of listening. The program will focus in particular on how film and storytelling can deconstruct echo chambers and shape worldviews in a way that can intrigue, entertain, and transform the audience. We are encouraging prestige American film festivals such as Sundance Institute, SXSW and Tribeca, as well as the dozens of noteworthy regional festivals around the country to reflect on how similar themes can enrich their upcoming programming. By listening courageously and spotlighting authentic lived experiences across America, these festivals can expand the appeal of indie films and inspire audiences to rethink their assumptions about people who are dissimilar.

Last Night, Bridge Entertainment Labs supported a special advance screening of?Leap of Faith, a new documentary opening at the Regal Paseo?theater in Pasadena this weekend. Hosted by KPCC and featuring a post screening Q&A with Director Nicholas Ma, Producer Morgan Neville (Piece by Piece,?Won’t You Be My Neighbor), and one of the pastors from the film, we were encouraged by the film’s message which shows hows how hope and connection can flourish even amid deep disagreements. Leap of Faith?tells the story of twelve diverse Christian leaders who find hope and fellowship at a series of boundary-breaking retreats in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Brought together by Michael Gulker of The Colossian Forum, five women and seven men struggle with some of today’s most contentious issues. The divisions between them become apparent and test both their common belief in the universal importance of love and kindness and the bonds they build over the course of a year. Leap of Faith?opens at?Regal Paseo?in Pasadena today and you can learn more about the film and where else to see it at?leapoffaithmovie.com.

Walking around my neighborhood in Hollywood, it’s common to see advertisements for upcoming albums, movies, and festivals. But what stopped me in my tracks was this Ad from One Small Step. A message about division posted in the city of storytelling.???? ?A reminder that:? 1) there’s endless opportunity to create community and shared identity through storytelling 2) the work to heal divides via entertainment is as important as ever 9 out of 10 Americans are tired of our divisions. So, let’s give the people what they want, right?????♀?

With Halloween and the election happening less than a week apart, we found it apropos to share a curated watch list to help you overcome the scaries. Grab that pumpkin spice latte and a group of friends, family, or colleagues, and open yourself up to reframing how we think about our divisions. Regardless of who wins the election, we selected a list of movies that provide a roadmap to reconciliation and mending. As storytellers and citizens, we hope these films inspire you to refocus narratives on what’s possible as a nation that embraces our differences – new American Stories of Us. See the films: https://lnkd.in/gYGWKWTk

His Three Daughters offers a poignant exploration of the complexities of family, using the power of storytelling to reveal the layers of misunderstanding that build up over time. The film follows three estranged sisters, confined in a small New York apartment as they tend to their dying father, creating an intimate setting where tensions rise, truths are uncovered, and long-held assumptions are dismantled. What’s most compelling is the way the film allows these shifting perspectives to unfold in real-time. In one standout moment, Katie, Christina, and Rachel confront the roles they've cast each other in, realizing the narratives they’ve been telling themselves are far from the truth. This scene highlights the transformative power of truly seeing someone—not just as who you expect them to be, but as they are. Through the sisters’ evolving understanding of one another, His Three Daughters challenges the audience to reflect on the stories they carry about others, inviting a deeper empathy and introspection that lingers long after the credits roll. In a recent interview, Carrie Coons said of the film, "I hope the lesson of the film - I know what I took away from it, playing especially the sister who has the most difficulty seeing her sisters as they are. I realized in the course of making this film is that it's something I'm much less willing to do with someone on the other side of a political divide. Our stories can get in our way, and we have to be willing to drop the narratives and try to see the person who's right in front of us."

Can stronger local connections help save our democracy? Join or Die: A film about why you should join a club...and why the fate of America depends on it tackles this urgent question head-on. In this new documentary, filmmakers Rebecca Davis and Pete Davis explore America's civic decline through the lens of Robert D. Putnam’s groundbreaking “Bowling Alone” research. The film examines the dramatic drop in Americans participating in social clubs and activities—and how that shift has weakened our democracy. By highlighting the role of clubs in fostering belonging, trust, and civic engagement, Join or Die Film shows how these community connections are key to restoring both dignity and democracy. Catch Join or Die now on Netflix and discover how joining a club could change the country. Learn More: https://lnkd.in/d_jHDt6m

In a high-stakes election year, where fears about the state of our democracy are shared across the political spectrum, finding ways to bridge divides and build trust has never been more urgent. Public Enemies, Private Friends, coming to PBS World, offers a powerful example of what’s possible when we engage across deep differences. Co-director Sarah Perkins?explains why this documentary is so critical: it tells the story of pro-life and pro-choice activists who met in secret for six years to have tough, honest conversations. Though they never found common ground on abortion, they built a friendship based on mutual respect and trust—a model for how we can engage passionately yet civilly with those we disagree with. Public Enemies, Private Friends can be watched on PBS World October 21st, 22nd, and 27th, or full-length series can be viewed on several streaming platforms as The Basement Talks. Learn more about the film here: https://lnkd.in/gQ22Tznr

At Bridge Entertainment Labs, we believe play is a powerful force for bridging divides, and the CBS Evening News segment featuring RAFT for America is proof. Thirty Americans from across the political spectrum embarked on a thrilling rafting trip down the Nantahala River, where they discovered that what unites us runs deeper than our differences. As reds, blues, and purples rode the rapids together, they forged connections that went beyond politics and explored their shared humanity. Moments like these remind us that shared experiences can spark understanding and bring us closer as people. We are also excited to be tracking the R.A.F.T. for America project, which is being filmed by Kristina Kendall, the filmmaker behind Undivide Us. The footage gathered has been powerful, and we are looking forward to more people seeing these transformational stories in a film that hopes to hit the festival circuit in 2025.

Earlier today, The Chronicle of Philanthropy featured Emmy-winning screenwriter and producer Erik Bork on a LinkedIn livestream to discuss The Elephant in the Room — his soon-to-be-released romantic comedy where red-blue politics collide with love ????. In conversation with Chronicle editor-at-large George Anders, Bork explored how Hollywood and philanthropy can help bridge America's divides by incorporating anti-polarization themes into film and TV. ???? Can entertainment be a force for unity? #EntertainmentForChange #TheElephantInTheRoom #BridgingDivides #PhilanthropyAndMedia #Polarization #Hollywood #TheCommons