SXSW 2026 delivered a standout lineup of films pushing the boundaries of storytelling—from Boots Riley’s surreal, anti-capitalist comedy I Love Boosters to visually striking work from artists like Alex Prager. Among the highlights, Elevate Studios emerges as part of a new wave of creators using film to challenge culture, amplify bold ideas, and redefine what impactful storytelling can look like on a global stage.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Dwyane Wade reflects on producing The Dads, a SXSW documentary following fathers of transgender and gender-expansive children as they navigate love, identity, and a shifting political landscape. Backed in part by Elevate Studios, the project represents a growing movement in storytelling—one that elevates lived experience, challenges cultural norms, and uses film as a catalyst for empathy and social change.

In a TIME op-ed, Elevate Prize winner Bing Chen reframes the idea of recession—arguing that America is facing a deeper “connection recession” marked by declining social bonds, trust, and community. While traditional economic indicators show resilience, Chen points to rising loneliness, fragmentation, and cultural disconnection as forces quietly reshaping society. The piece challenges readers to rethink prosperity—not just as financial growth, but as the strength of human connection that underpins it.

Honored at Sundance, the actress reflects on turning fame into fuel for democracy and real-world change. “Any story that uplifts our humanity is important at this moment,” Washington said.

The Elevate Prize Foundation announces its 2026 winners, awarding over $6M to 10 global changemakers and launching a Times Square campaign to Make Good Famous.

The Elevate Prize Foundation has named its 2026 class of 10 global changemakers working across issues including migrant rights, mental health, affordable housing, environmental conservation, and equitable technology.

Kerry Washington was honored with the Elevate Prize Catalyst Award at Sundance, celebrating her impact and leadership, and revealed as an executive producer on Elevate Studios’ Nevertheless docuseries.

Kerry Washington was honored with the Elevate Prize Catalyst Award, celebrating her leadership and cultural impact, as Variety highlights her role in elevating purpose-driven storytelling and her involvement with the upcoming season of Nevertheless from Elevate Studios.

A $300,000 grant over three years will help bring Millennium Campus Network closer toward its goal of supporting 25,000 rising social impact leaders by 2030. MIAMI, November 21, 2025 – The Elevate Prize Foundation announced Sam Vaghar, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Millennium Campus Network (MCN), as the most recent recipient of the Elevate Prize […]

Supported by The Elevate Prize Foundation, A Day of Unreasonable Conversation brought Kamala Harris and Hollywood leaders together to spotlight storytelling as a force for cultural change.

Read how Elevate Prize winner, Represent Justice Harnesses Storytelling to Shine a Light on Mass Incarceration and Drive Change.

2025 Elevate Prize Winner Hannah Fried, founder of All Voting is Local, warns in TIME that recent laws and actions like Trump’s election executive order, the SAVE Act, and state-level counterparts are undermining voting rights by creating barriers that could block millions of eligible Americans from the ballot box. She calls on advocates, neighbors, and voters to ensure registrations are up to date, help others register, and press representatives to expand participation rather than restrict it.