The United Nations (UN) and the Producers Guild of America (PGA) are launching a series of virtual workshops that detail how producers and members of the creative community can collaborate with the UN on social impact entertainment projects.  

In the first workshop, being hosted this Saturday (8/22), creators will learn what social impact entertainment is, the benefits of working with the UN, and the resources available to content creators. Additionally, participants will learn about how the UN works and the most pressing challenges currently on its agenda, before taking a deep dive into previous successful partnerships with the film and television industry. 

Speakers for the first session include United Nations Under-Secretary-General For Global Communication Melissa Fleming; Lori McCreary, executive producer of Madam Secretary; Trey Callaway, co-executive producer and writer of Revolution, and Joanne Gunsberg, director of sustainability at SONY Pictures Entertainment. Other United Nations participants include Maher Nasser, director, Outreach Division, Department of Global Communications. The session will be moderated by Robert Rippberger, Anne Marie Gillen and William Nix. 

“Collaborations, like this with the PGA, provide essential support to the work of an organization like the United Nations,” said the UN’s Fleming. “Especially at times like these, entertainment has tremendous power to shift behaviors and attitudes of mass audiences and refocus attention on what is verified and true. We would love to help more productions advance the movement to a world that is sustainable, just and equitable.”

A joint statement from Susan Sprung and Vance Van Petten, national executive directors of the PGA, read: “We are thrilled to enter into this collaboration with the UN. On behalf of our 8200+ members we’re excited to see the inspiration and works that will spring from these conversations and connections.” 

The virtual series will be available to PGA members and other industry guilds and associations, with informational features made available to the general public following each live event. The PGA’s Social Impact Entertainment Task Force will serve as a vehicle to coordinate with its membership to further dialogue as well as to plan events and activities with the UN. For more info and to RSVP for the first session, click here.