Over 60 Hollywood stars, including George Clooney, Jane Fonda, and Regina King, signed an open letter urging the entertainment industry to carry on Participant’s legacy.
The letter calls for the continuation of impactful storytelling following the unexpected closure of the film production company, which was known for its dedication to social change.
Actors, directors, and activists like Michael Keaton, Ava DuVernay, Alfonso Cuarón, and Chiwetel Ejiofor collaborated with organizations like the Human Rights Watch and GLAAD. Coordinated by the National Domestic Workers Alliance (NDWA), this letter emphasizes the need to preserve the Participant’s commitment to values-based storytelling that inspires action.
“As we say goodbye to Participant, we must underscore that values-based storytelling is needed now more than ever. There is a whole ecosystem of people, connected by the work of the last 20 years of Participant, ready to work with you,” the letter declares.
A Legacy of Impact
Participant, founded by Jeff Skoll in 2004, surprised Hollywood with its sudden closure. The studio earned 21 Academy Awards, grossed over $3.3 billion, and tackled societal issues like corruption, equity, and human rights. Its unique business model ensured that profits aligned with impactful storytelling aimed at social change.
Roma, a Participant film about a domestic worker in Mexico City, reignited conversations about labor rights. The film prompted the introduction of the National Domestic Workers Bill of Rights to Congress. Although not immediately passed, the bill’s reintroduction is imminent, and its support continues to grow.
A New Call to Action
Ai-Jen Poo, president of NDWA, emphasized the importance of the open letter. “The open letter is a re-commitment to this work and an invitation to others to join us in harnessing the power of art to change the world,” she stated, calling for the industry to stand united.
George Clooney, Ava DuVernay, Kerry Washington, and others signed the letter, showing unwavering dedication to Participant’s mission. Their commitment to ensuring that film and television can serve as powerful vehicles for change exemplifies the spirit that Participant championed throughout its existence.
The letter serves as both a farewell to Participant and a renewed call to action. It insists that storytelling with a mission must persist and encourages the industry to keep fighting for art that inspires and compels people to act, even in these uncertain times.
Organizations like the Muslim Public Affairs Council Hollywood Bureau, Human Rights Watch, and Storyline Partners joined the letter to advocate for storytelling that drives social progress. The signatories embody the Participant’s principles of using film and television to tackle urgent issues.
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