Bans Off
Our Stories:

Ready to be part of it?
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Cras sed ipsum aliquam, mattis tortor eu, gravida nulla. Etiam pretium nisl ut lacus tincidunt cursus. Praesent eleifend eu augue non commodo. Aliquam erat volutpat.
RSVP TODAY
RSVP TODAY

The Solidarity in
Narrative‍

2026 Sundance Film Festival

Presented by: 

Level Forward & 
‍Population Media Center

When a community is under attack, stories fight back. Inspired by our films and projects, we believe terms like sisterhood and motherhood are VERBS, powerful calls-to-action to protect, uplift, and most importantly, CARE for one another. In other words, sisterhood is for everyone. So then, how can we become stronger practitioners of solidarity through narrative?

Join Level Forward, Population Media Center, and our partners at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival for a night of creative inspiration – amplifying the key role storytellers play in imagining and creating social progress, announcing new special initiatives, and celebrating the festival premiere of LADY, a film by Olive Nwosu. Get ready for “A Lagos Night in The Mountains!”

This multimodal storytelling experience will empower filmmakers, producers, financiers, distributors, agents, and brands with a community-building night of new relationships,  tools, language, and tactics for a resurgent cultural force that leaves no one behind and centers independent creative voices. 

Become model citizens of care & reignite your inner fire through live music and performances, exclusive screenings, a special edition More To Talk About with filmmakers and changemakers, partner activations, testimony, gifts, photo-opps, swag and merch, actionable next steps, and more to be announced. 

Come hungry, come thirsty and come eager to build community and conspire with Level Forward, Population Media Center and our partners at Black Voters Matter and New America.

Our Programming

Gain insights from world-class leaders, innovators, and experts who are shaping the future of AI. Each speaker brings unique perspectives, real-world experience, and actionable knowledge you can apply right away.
RSVP TODAY
RSVP TODAY
1
6:00 PM
Doors Open
Neuroscientist decoding decision-making in AI-driven markets
2
7:00 PM
Main Talk
Experience transformative insights from our hosts — expect bold ideas, breakthrough tech, and a mindset shift that’ll fuel your next big move.
3
8:30 PM
Q&A Session
Engage directly with Alex and Jamie. Bring your questions!
4
9:15 PM
Meet-and-Greet
Wrap up the night with personal interactions. Get your books signed!

Welcome & Special Announcements

from

Adrienne Becker
CEO at Level Forward
Margot Fahnestock
CEO of Population Media Center
LaTosha Brown
Award-winning Cultural Organizer, Co-Founder of Black Voters Matter and Southern Black Girls & Women’s Consortium
More to Talk About

Hosted by Andrea Ambam
Artist, Director of Programming at Level Forward

Olive Nwosu
Award-winning Screenwriter and Director (LADY)
Dr. Kimberlé Crenshaw
Founder/Executive Director of African American Policy Forum (AAPF)
Vicki Shabo
Senior Fellow for Gender Equity and Founder/Director, Entertainment Initiative Better Life Lab at New America

Pull Up a Chair

with LaTosha Brown

LaTosha Brown
Award-winning Cultural Organizer, Co-Founder of Black Voters Matter and Southern Black Girls & Women’s Consortium
Carmelyn P. Malalis
Head of Impact at Level Forward
Amy Henderson Riley
Director of Research, Evaluation, and Impact at Population Media Center

A Lagos Night in The Mountains

Live Music and Dance Performance

presented by

the cast of LADY, Ngoma y'Africa Cultural Center, and WOFA Dance

A Call for Solidarity

from

V (formerly Eve Ensler)
Award-winning Artist and Activist, Creator of The Vagina Monologues

Join us for a Night of Creative Inspiration

Thank you for RSVPing to Bans Off Our Stories: The Solidarity of Narrative!
‍
‍By showing up, you’re standing for creative freedom, shared truth, and the power of story to resist censorship. We look forward to connecting with you.
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Accessibility: There is limited accessible parking available on a first-come, first-served basis. The Front entrance to the building is accessible. There are accessible restrooms located in the back-of-house. Please email info@levelforward.co  for additional accessibility inquiries and requests.
‍
Note: This event is private. By completing THIS RSVP form below you are adding your name to the list. This form is not to be promoted or published widely. Please only share this form thoughtfully and intentionally.
POPULATION MEDIA CENTER(PMC) is the global nonprofit and production partner that creates popular entertainment for universal social good. Focused on narrative change, PMC’s award-winning series have been proven to open eyes, minds, and dialogues, guiding communities to vital health and human rights resources. With shows broadcast in the U.S. and 50+ countries, we inspire people, especially women and girls, to rewrite their own life stories.
SUNDANCE INSTITUTE as a champion and curator of independent stories, the nonprofit Sundance Institute provides and preserves the space for artists in film and episodic storytelling to create and thrive.
The Re-Scripting Gender, Work, Family, and Care initiative at New America’s Better Life Lab advises entertainment creators and executives on ways to tell rich, meaningful stories and amplify the great shows and films already doing that work. We aim to see more authentic stories on screen that engage and grow audiences by reflecting their own lived experiences and aspirations. New America is a 501(c)(3) think- and action tank: a civic platform that connects a research institute, technology lab, solutions network, media hub, and public forum, and the Better Life Lab works at the intersection of research, policy, journalism, and popular culture to tell ethical, human-centered, solutions-focused stories and develop and support storytellers. 
Black Voters Matter believes in working directly with communities to define agendas and implement solutions that create meaningful change. With this in mind, Black Voters Matter is rallying voters, amplifying issues impacting Black communities, and emphasizing the power of every vote as a tool for change.
Level Forward
LEVEL FORWARD is a public benefit entertainment company focused on making brave storytelling. We work on project and system levels to balance artistic vision, stakeholder return, and social progress. Select films include Bjork’s Cornucopia, Mountains, Red, White and Blue, The Year Between, and The Assistant. Select Broadway and live shows include Good Night and Good Luck, Suffs, Parade, POTUS, What The Constitution Means To Me and Jagged Little Pill. Browse our Tony Award, Spirit Award, Anthem Award-winning and Oscar-nominated creative work at levelforward.co, or our audience engagement platform at moretotalkabout.com.

Bans Off
Our Stories:

Ready to be part of it?
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Cras sed ipsum aliquam, mattis tortor eu, gravida nulla. Etiam pretium nisl ut lacus tincidunt cursus. Praesent eleifend eu augue non commodo. Aliquam erat volutpat.
RSVP TODAY
RSVP TODAY

The Solidarity in Narrative‍

2026 Sundance Film Festival