A weeklong series of events celebrates the power of storytelling, art, design and media to
increase empathy, collaboration and innovation
Washington, D.C. September 4, 2013
The Media Rise Festival will make its debut in Washington, D.C. this September. The weeklong series of events, held at various locations on September 23-‐29, celebrates how storytelling, design, art and media can contribute to a peaceful, just, and sustainable world.
“We live in a world where we are inundated by media, from music to film. This plays a critical role in shaping our perceptions and influencing our actions,” said Srivi Ramasubramanian, executive director of Media Rise and associate professor of communication at Texas A&M University. “We created this festival to showcase the positive impact of media, and to encourage partnerships among media professionals and changemakers to accelerate social change.”
The not-‐for-‐profit, volunteer-‐driven Media Rise Festival is organized along three main themes: Feel (Empathy), Connect (Collaboration) and Inspire (Innovation.) Signature events hosted by the festival team include nightly networking lounges, opening and closing parties, a 48-‐hour video challenge, a pitch night for entrepreneurial creatives, a daylong discussion forum, and a youth festival.
The agenda will also include independently organized community events, held at multiple locations by multiple partners across the city. These include workshops, panel talks, exhibits and performances.
The festival’s two main events will be held over the weekend. The Forum on Saturday, September 28 features more than 15 influential speakers from across the country who will share their experience on how various forms of media, from architecture to street art, can improve communities. They will present on media’s role in advancing four different topics: Empathy & Altruism; Peace, Equality & Social Justice; Community Development & Sustainability; and Policy & Civic Innovation. The conference-‐style event will be held at 1776, the D.C.-‐based tech startup hub and incubator.
Teenagers, parents and educators are invited to attend Youth Media Rise on Sunday, September 29. The afternoon events will feature panel discussions for adults, led by media professionals and educators, and interactive storytelling, social media and theater workshops designed for youth. The Josephine Butler Parks Center venue will also host performances, studio spaces, a visual art showcase, and interactive lounges to enhance the curiosity and creative expression of young people in meaningful ways. The event is free for youth (ages 13-‐18) to attend.
An All-‐Weekend Pass for all ticketed signature events can be purchased online for $135 (or $70 for students.) More information and registration details can be found at www.mediarisenow.org.