The Cinematters: NY Social Justice Film Festival presents impactful films that engage the community toward a more democratic, inclusive, and just society. Through films, special events, and conversations, we aim to inspire participants to reflect and take action in order to create a community of civic-minded individuals eager to make a collective change. On MLK day, the last day of the festival, we will be holding a Morning of Service and Activism, providing participants with opportunities to give back and take action on some of the causes that they have been engaged with throughout the festival.

Participants can stop by our Activism Café, which will offer opportunities to learn, take action and give back. Sample activities include participating in a book drive to benefit people currently incarcerated, registering to vote, sending postcards to local elected officials, purchasing food and other goods from socially responsible vendors, and more.

Participants will also have the opportunity to participate in workshops around the building. Some examples include:

-Environmental Activist Workshop: Participants can learn how to be an effective organizer from three established environmental advocacy organizations: Food & Water Watch, New York Communities for Change, and Sunrise Movement.
-Community Cooks: Help prepare a delicious meal for the B’nai Jeshurun/Church of St. Paul and St. Andrew Homeless Shelter.
-Storytelling: Great Big Story delivers storytelling and live experiences that shed light on the overlooked and underrepresented. Participants will join this workshop on how to tell a story responsibly.