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Reality Check Forum 2024 / Workshop

Policy in Focus

Michael Bracy, Founder, Policy in Focus

Jon Reiss, President, 8 Above

For many documentary filmmakers, the dream scenario is to impact public policy, promote their film through earned and social media, and build a significant audience across the country.

Washington, DC may be a complicated ecosystem, but it is also home to some of the world’s leading experts on virtually every issue. Policymakers, advocacy groups, coalitions, think tanks, diplomats, and academics are all based in the Nation’s Capital – and in most cases, they have unique professional networks, global connections, and a mission to engage the public on issues that matter. If engaged in the correct manner, these organizations and leaders can be the key to effective policy engagement, visibility, and audience development.

Building off his experience with films like Food and Country, Inventing Tomorrow, and Moonlight Sonata: Deafness in Three Movements, this interactive workshop will introduce the philosophy behind Policy in Focus’ approach and guide participants through collaborative exercises intended to mimic the broader process of effectively defining policy goals, developing partnerships with aligned organizations and implementing digital infrastructure strategies to exponentially scale a film’s universe of core champions and fans.

By the end of the workshop, participants will have insight into how to best align with Washington insiders, how policy goals can be supported through meaningful partnerships with advocacy groups, and how audiences can be maximized as a result of these relationships. Participants will share ideas, concerns, and best practices through small-group provocative and challenging small-group exercises that will provide ample food for thought for projects at all stages of development.

Michael-Bracy-headshot

Michael Bracy

Founder, Policy in Focus

Michael Bracy is a strategist, advocate, and connector who has worked at the intersection of culture, public policy, and community engagement for over twenty five years. He co-founded the Future of Music Coalition and Music Policy Forum and has represented or advised NPR, American Ballet Theatre, International Documentary Association, Colorado Creative Industries, Youth on Record, the cities of Tucson, Boise, and Albuquerque and many others. In 2020, Michael cofounded Candy Bacon, a partnership with historian Thomas Frank to develop his back catalog and new work for a variety of video and audio platforms.

Policy in Focus is a boutique agency that supports films like Food and Country, Inventing Tomorrow, and Moonlight Sonata: Deafness in Three Movements. Policy in Focus develops and implements artist-centered outreach and engagement strategies rooted in the philosophy of being in service to the film team, film participants, and mission-aligned advocates/educations who lead ongoing work on issues relevant to the film. Typically, these strategies begin with partnerships and collaboration with DC-based advocacy organizations, think tanks, and public officials.

A Washington DC native, Michael enjoys watching movies, music, and DC sports with his family and friends, teaching the Music Industry Seminar at Georgetown University, and contemplating the mysteries of life while on endless walks with his hound dog, Moose.

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Jon Reiss

President, 8 Above

Jon Reiss is a filmmaker, author, and media strategist who wrote the book Think Outside the Box Office. His company, 8 Above, creates custom audience-building strategies, theatrical experiences, and digital release campaigns for independent feature and documentary films. Reiss has consulted with hundreds of filmmakers and film organizations throughout the world, including The Gotham, IDA, Screen Australia, Film Independent, and Creative Scotland. Clients include Sabbath Queen, Food & Country, The Ride Ahead, The Body Politic, Sam Now, The First Step, Two Gods, Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise, and Hooligan Sparrow.

He has conducted his Master Classes on six continents and helped create and run the IFP/Gotham Filmmaker Lab for ten years. He recently created the 8 Above Distribution Lab to teach filmmakers how to distribute and market their films. For more information: 8above.com

Jon got started in filmmaking and distribution at the infamous San Francisco documentary collective Target Video. He not only shot seminal bands such as Black Flag, Iggy Pop, Throbbing Gristle, and The Cramps but was also one of the first—if not the first person—to conceptualize and execute video tours throughout Europe, carting 500 lbs. of video deck and projector in a VW Bus across 15,000 miles.