Kontent Films

This Friday 2/26 join filmmakers Mark Decena and Eli Jacobs-Fantauzzi, in conversation w/ producer Belvie Rooks, & students from Hawaii & the Bay Area, for a special screening of two short films and a discussion on the power of place-based storytelling. https://t.co/MY4LoCcuQ9 Community Power is the real power for change! #RedfordCenterStories #KontentFilms

As of today, the U.S. is back in the Paris Agreement. Yea! But as extreme winter weather wreaks havoc throughout Texas, the dependence on unbridled fossil fuel companies focused solely on profit has been disastrous. Millions of people have been left without power in freezing temperatures. As the climate crisis worsens, extreme weather events like in Texas will occur more often. A more sustainable infrastructure has to be in place. In #NotWithoutUsMovie, Payal Parehk, an inte...rnational climate activist, discusses that if we were to keep the global temperature under 1.5C, we need to keep 80% of fossil fuels under the ground. Furthermore, she states that our current political and economic system that's run by fossil fuels is controlled by the 1% - Climate change is not just an environmental issue, but actually an economic issue. To see more of Payal's work, visit: https://350.org Watch Not Without Us to see the different work that front line communities are doing to combat climate change. www.notwithoutusmovie.com

As we continue to commemorate the 5 year anniversary of the release of #NotWithoutUs, John Kerry, special presidential envoy for climate, echoes the sentiment of the movements - The goal of achieving a 1.5(C) limitation on the rise of Earth's temperature is absolutely the appropriate goal, but the current promises of countries through the Paris Agreement, are insufficient to get the job done." Nnimmo Bassey, one of Africa’s leading advocates and campaigners for the environm...ent and human rights, discusses the impacts of climate change and how we are already on track for more than 3C average warming worldwide while highlighting the disproportionate spending of militaries around the world. #nowarnowarming To see more of Nnimmo Bassey’s work, support and visit: https://homef.org Watch Not Without Us to see the different work that front line communities are doing to combat climate change. www.notwithoutusmovie.com

As we commemorate the 5 year anniversary of the release of #NotWithoutUsMovie, and as the Biden administration shifts to a more aggressive stance on the climate crisis, will the fossil fuel industry finally face the music? Kandy Mosset, a cancer survivor from the Mandan Hidatsa Arikara Nation of North Dakota, discusses the environmental and social impact of fracking in her homeland. As part of an international delegation of movement organizers, Kandi, along with other activi...sts, laid their bodies on the line in a direct action protest at COP 21 -- calling out companies who are doing harm in many different communities, while greenwashing their image. Keeping the Joe Biden administration accountable is a must. In order to transition into a more sustainable future, we must support the local climate justice efforts nationally and more importantly, in our own localities. To see more of Kandi Mosset’s work, support and visit: https://www.ienearth.org Indigenous Environmental Network Watch Not Without Us to see the different work that front line communities are doing to combat climate change. www.notwithoutusmovie.com

ME & MY ROBOT is airing this week in SF, LA, and Sacramento (and all across the country)! This week only, catch our original film about World Robot Olympiad presented by Juniper Networks & LEGO Education on your local PBS channel don’t miss it! Find a showing in your area at ~ http://meandmyrobotfilm.com/pbsairdates/

President Biden rejoins the U.S. to the Paris Climate Agreement! We’re finally back after a tumultuous 4 years, but is it enough? Hear Cindy Wiesner, Nnimmo Bassey, Willy Max Rademacher and Alix Mazounie discuss the importance of having an agreement in place, but point out where the agreement falls short. With nothing legally binding, countries can just pull out, or ignore their pledges. 5 years later, emissions have only risen. What can be done? Listen to the frontlines! Sol...utions must be rooted from the people who are impacted the most by climate change. Indigenous Peoples, Asian and Pacific Islander, Black, Brown and poor white marginalized communities must be heard, prioritized, and invested in if we are to successfully build a thriving democracy and society in the face of intersecting climate, environmental, economic, social, and health crises. To learn more, watch Not Without Us to see the front line communities doing the work to combat climate change. www.notwithoutusmovie.com Grassroots Global Justice Alliance

Our short film following youth teams to the World Robot Olympiad will be airing on PBS this month! Check out airdates on http://meandmyrobotfilm.com. LEGO Education Juniper Networks

Thanks for tuning in to the Kontent #TBT feed over the past year. Not gonna lie, 2020 wasn’t what we were expecting for our 20th anniversary -- not the best year for film making in the Bay Area. But looking back, we've had time to focus on what's truly important: connecting with loved ones (albeit sometimes over Zoom), taking stock of what we have, and being thankful for our health. What have you learned from 2020? And what will you be pushing forward into 2021? Besides the opportunity to wear sweatsuits all day, every day, what inspiration will you take into the new year? Let us know!

#TBT Second to last post for our 20th-anniversary campaign #20in2020! A salute to Mechanics Bank and their support for small businesses like ourselves. 8 shoot days, 36 Customers, capturing video, audio, and print for 18 television commercials, 23 radio spots, print ads, and billboards. Resulting in a 22% increase in brand awareness. Something all small businesses could use right about now. Happy Solstice Holidays all!

#TBT #20in2020 It's been a minute since " E2 - Environmental Entrepreneurs - the economies of being environmentally-conscious" premiered on PBS . Our former partner, Tad Fettig, who produced and directed the series, roped our own Mark Decena to write narration on 18 episodes, including the series introductions voiced by two well-known celebs. Can you guess who they are?

#TBT We love design. We love swag. So over the years, we've loved giving away lots of Kontent swag. The original Kontent hoodies sported the K campfire which became our de facto logo for many years. Designed by one of our OG editors, Matt Notaro (now founder of MFD). It's a classic. And look what we found in storage! 100% cotton, American Apparel, never been worn, Kampfire hoodies, and a few t-shirts from our mockumentary, Unflinching Triumph. Hit us up, if they speak to you. Larges and Xtra-larges only. Perfect for SIP lounging. Stay safe everyone.

Our 7 minute film "How We Live" is screening in the Sustainable Living Film Festival 2020 in Turkey this weekend. The film that keeps on giving! EDGE Funders Alliance, Movement Generation #sustainability #systemchange #systemchangenotclimatechange

#TBT Are you looking for a quick turnaround for your film? In 2018, we shot 3 spots for SKIL Tools. 30 setups in ONE day!!! Director Mark Decena has never been able to look at a drill again, but if you are fighting the clock, Kontent will help get your project moving fast. Big shout out to Eric Lindsay and the folks at Rain the Growth Agency for believing in the impossible! #ThrowbackThursday

#TBT 20 years of Kontent means we have a lot to be thankful for. Something we're very proud of is the approximately 1,400 lives we've touched as either employees, production and post production artisans, and numerous vendors -- a list starting with three "Aarons" and ending with five "Zacharys". Probably the most poignant marker of our time together is the babies born within the Kontent "family" since 2000. Here's a few picts, but if you've worked with Kontent in the last 20 years, post a picture of your babies. Here's to NEXT GEN KONTENT! Happy Thanksgiving all.

#TBT For years we supported the San Francisco Green Film Festival by helping with marketing materials and creating trailers. We're sad to say that SFGFF was a casualty of the pandemic, but their message is more important than ever. We're especially proud of last year's trailer with an election right around the corner. Whatever your persuasion, we say VOTE for the planet. It's our time to step up, to get fired up, to get educated, to get inspired, to find solutions, to ignite change. #activism #inspired #solutions #socialchange

Well done, California. Covid positivity rates at an all time low. Keep it up!

From our OG Founder, Mark Decena: I went to Ocean Beach to say farewell to Jamie Redford, a long time collaborator, producer and friend. And he showed up to say Hasta Luego! Not to say, Jamie was all rainbows and unicorns, but The Redford Center's Jill Tidman said it best, he had a contagious joy. His laugh would light you up. I remember after a Watershed rough cut review, his Dad sent us notes: Tell me where I am, educate me. Afterwards Jamie said, "I never thought ...I’d be here, but I guess we’re doing educational films now. And he let out that laugh. But it made me appreciate film as a more powerful medium that not only entertains, but inspires, informs, and yeah, educates film as Sensei. As a filmmaker, Jamie was a master at straddling those inspiration / teaching moments. I thank him for imparting that wisdom in our work together. In total, we did six short films and a feature for The Redford Center with Jamie as advisor and producer. He always came with astute council and a generous spirit. Jamie was also an Executive Producer on our latest caper, Me & My Robot exploring STEM education through the lens of the World Robot Olympiad. Yes, the Thailand shoot location had something to do with taking the gig, but Jamie added, You gotta have some perks as a doc filmmaker! That laugh again. In my last few exchanges with him, like any parent, he made sure to let me know his kids were looking for work (heads up production / design community). And also some exchanges about Eddie Van Halen and a Led Zeppelin cover band. Jamie was an amazing guitarist if you didn’t know. One of my favorite memories was when we were doing a sound mix at Skywalker Ranch, and Jamie got access to the Stag Theater to play Led Zeppelin’s Celebration Day Blu-Ray. What a concert. I heard Jamie laughing a lot that night. I still hear it. My sincere condolences to Kyle and the Redford family. Love and light.

#TBT Over the years, we made 7 short films for the EDGE Funders Alliance. We explored environmental justice, the Commons, a just transition to a New Economy -- encouraging philanthropy to think about the root causes of the myriad of problems that we face. We "collected" over 145 interviews with Civil Society: reluctant frontline activists, economists, peasant farmers, movement leaders, academics, philanthropists, and funders to name a few. To celebrate them, we took their pre-interview sound synchronizing clap to make this little ditty called UNITY. Something we're hoping for with all of our might. #20in2020

#TBT One great thing about Kontent being 20 is that we have the excuse to replay some funnies that we've produced over the years. This "The Office" inspired spot for HP Scanjet is an oldie, but still brings a smile to our faces. https://vimeo.com/13946103 #ThrowbackThursday

Sitting on the floor is the real brain behind Kontent's editorial operation, our mascot, Bucky. Certainly, a fellow who knows how to craft a compelling tail. (Note from Mark Decena to social media team - any more jokes like that, you're fired.)

#TBT From the PS2 to PS4 (hopefully soon to PS5), we've had the pleasure to call PlayStation our longest-running client. From consoles to hand-helds to PS Network to game launches, we've had the honor to be a part of it all. And if you believe in karma, two key players of the Sony Interactive Entertainment team worked for us in the early days at Kontent. "Treat your people well" is a motto we live by. #20in2020

Me & My Robot is an official GlobeDocs Virtual Film Festival selection! Secure your pass to stream our film and join our post-film discussion with writer Kara Baskin of The Boston Globe beginning October 1. View our trailer here ~ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60eb0Zu3hf4 #GlobeDocsFF

Our Fall 2020 Newsletter is here! Read about our 20th anniversary, a new special announcement, our latest projects, and more. http://bit.ly/Kontent-3kVoZCs

#TBT #20in2020 Sometimes the simplest idea of visualizing a colloquialism is all that's needed. Needless to say we were "into it". Easy for us to say. Our talent, Ember, was a trooper take after take. We're still in awe. A shout out to Todd Anthony at CNET, at the time, for the fun concept.

Our thoughts go out to everyone affected by the ongoing wildfires. Like many other individuals and businesses across the west coast, this has touched Kontent directly, with one of our team losing a home. Unfortunately, California isn't alone and the problem is likely to recur until we re-think policy.

#TBT 10 years into our run, our founder, Mark Decena, got an email from Jill Tidman, Executive Director of The Redford Center. They needed six short films featuring Bay Area-based activists working across the gamut of issues: from education reform to environmental justice to voter rights. The films screened at live events honoring the profiled activists alongside prominent guest activists like ROBERT REDFORÐ, Rosario Dawson, and Cory Booker. Wait a minute, could we have sparked the Rosario / Cory romance back then? The power of love works in mysterious ways! #20in2020 #educationreform #environmentaljustice #voterrights #immigrantrights #racialjustice #activism #activists #dosomething #problemsolvers

#TBT You know you are OG, when SFFILM honors you with the "Essential SF" Award. And that was back in 2013 when they were known as the San Francisco Film Society! Still, it was an honor to be deemed essential, way before essential was cool, and oh so important. Speaking of cool, that’s the honorary Jamie Redford singing our praises and giving us the award. Teri Heyman and Mark Decena were proud mamas and papas that night. #20in2020

So, after flexing about our award in the previous post, here is the video. Working with creative agency Most Likely To, Kontent created the "Feeling Gassy SF?" spot to persuade residents that compostable material emits lots of fumes - it doesn't go in the trash! To capture candid surprises, we shot real passers-by on the city streets reacting to our farty trash can. This is the one they're going to remember us for. Learn more at ~ https://sfenvironment.org/SFGasRelief