Beverly Hills, CA | November 12-13, 2026
The premier gathering for media, arts, and entertainment for impact
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Forum Agenda
Day 1: Thursday, November 13
Location
WiFi: Cantina-Frida
Password: B3b3rly@0204*
Cantina Frida, 252 N Beverly Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Matchmaking Lunch
12:30–12:45 PM
Welcome and Framing
12:45–1:15 PM
Plated Lunch Service & Casual Conversation
1:15–1:45 PM
Structured Collaboration Round #1
1:45–2:15 PM
Collaboration Round #2
2:15–2:20 PM
Lightning Highlights & Reflections
2:20–2:30 PM
transition
Workshop Block 1: Current & Emerging Affinity Groups
2:30–2:40 PM
Framing & Orientation (Plenary)
2:40–3:40 PM
Plated Lunch Service & Casual Conversation
3:40-3:50 PM
Breakout Session 1: Democracy
Breakout Session 2: LGBTQ Equality
Breakout Session 3: Climate Storytelling
Breakout Session 4: Responsible AI
Breakout Session 5: Immigration
3:50-4:00 PM
transition
Workshop Block 2: Affinity Expansions
Welcome Reception
5:00–6:30 PM
Mix and Mingle with Fellow attendees
Annual Member Meeting & Performances
6:30–6:35 PM
Opening & Welcome
6:35–6:45 PM
State of the Guild: Governance & Leadership Updates
6:45–7:15 PM
The Year in Review and the Road Ahead
7:15–7:25 PM
Member Reflections & Open Floor
7:35–7:45 PM
Closing & Transition
Day 2: Friday, November 14
Location
United Talent Agency, 9336 Civic Center Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
WiFi: UTA Guest
Password: entertainment
8:30–9:30 AM
Check-in, Continental Breakfast & Networking
Morning Plenary: “Building Resilience in a Shifting Landscape”
9:30–9:45 AM
Welcome Remarks
9:45-9:52 AM
Social Media Research Preview
9:52-10:05 AM
What The Kids Are Watching
10:05-10:25 AM
Pop-Up Pitches: “Accelerating Impact”
10:25-10:30 AM
Preview of Breakout Sessions
Coffee Break
10:30-11:00 AM
Chat with other attendees while getting caffeinated
Breakout Sessions: Morning | BLOCK A
11:00–11:50 AM
Track A (Theater): Fostering a New Creative Economy
As AI disruption, consolidation, and the collapse of local news reshape media, the question is no longer what’s changing—but what will endure, and who decides. This session explores the new creative economy rising from old systems: one powered by creators, mutual aid, and mission-driven networks. How can we upskill storytellers, fund independent work, and build storytelling infrastructure that protects both artistic freedom and civic purpose?
Track B (Workshop Suite): Standardizing the Netflix AI Rules
Netflix’s new AI use guidelines mark a milestone—and a warning. Without shared standards, creators face a confusing maze of conflicting policies across studios and platforms. This workshop uses Netflix’s framework as a starting point to co-create creator-first principles that balance innovation, transparency, and rights protection, defining ethical and practical safeguards for an equitable future of AI-assisted storytelling.
11:50 AM–12:00 PM
transition
Breakout Sessions: Morning | BLOCK B
12:00–12:50 PM
Track A (Theater): World-Building Evocative, Aspirational, and Achievable Futures
Storytelling has long shaped our visions of the future—but today, most popular media imagines dystopias. This interactive lab, led by Alan Gershenfeld (E-Line Media) and Jared Ruga (Vavani Productions), invites participants to use world-building techniques to envision hopeful, achievable futures. Through narrative design, systems thinking, and collaborative creativity, we’ll explore how entertainment can seed regenerative, inspiring visions across media.
Track B (Workshop Suite): Bridging in the Age of Real (and Perceived) Division: Tools for Storytellers and Changemakers
As Americans grow more polarized, the arts can restore empathy and accuracy to how we see one another. This workshop explores how creators across media can use storytelling to challenge misperceptions, humanize “the other,” and reduce fear. Drawing on social psychology and real-world examples, participants will learn frameworks and tools to craft stories that bridge divides and rebuild social cohesion.
Lunch
12:50–1:50 PM
FUll catered lunch provided – open networking
1:50-2:00 PM
Transition
Breakout Sessions: Afternoon | BLOCK A
2:00-2:50 PM
Track A (Theater): Strengthening Narrative Change Measurement Through AI
This moderated panel discussion explores how AI can analyze trends in narrative content, measure shifts in social norms, and strengthen creative strategy. Drawing on global case studies like MTV Shuga and the MAPGEN initiative, panelists will share early findings on AI’s potential to make narrative impact measurement more scalable, affordable, and actionable—offering practical insights for storytellers and strategists working across media, entertainment, and social change.
Track B (Workshop Suite): Activating a New American Story: Storytelling Opportunities for Democracy in America's 250th
As America approaches its 250th anniversary, this session invites participants to move from reflection to activation—transforming shared narratives into collective action. Building on insights from Day 1, attendees will collaborate in small groups to explore how to tailor messaging across diverse regions, cultures, and demographics; identify opportunities for partnership; and generate new, inclusive ideas that bring democratic values to life. The session will culminate in a group report-out and shared reflection on how the Impact Guild’s Democracy Affinity Group can help sustain and scale this work leading up to the nation’s semiquincentennial.
2:50-3:00 PM
Transition
Breakout Sessions: Afternoon | BLOCK B
3:00-3:50 PM
Track A (Theater): Protecting Our Progress: What’s Next for DEI?
As corporate consolidation dismantles DEI and CSR divisions across entertainment, this workshop gathers leaders and creators to chart what’s next. Together, we’ll examine where DEI-aligned professionals now sit across companies, and explore how the Guild can reconnect them into a living network of shared learning and support—preserving progress toward inclusive, impact-driven storytelling beyond corporate cycles.
Track B (Workshop Suite): Did Podcasts Elect the President? A Discussion with Lincoln Project's Rick Wilson
As podcasts surpass traditional media in shaping public opinion, Lincoln Project co-founder Rick Wilson explores how this medium now drives persuasion, polarization, and civic storytelling. In this fireside conversation, Wilson—once a Republican strategist, now a fierce critic of MAGA politics—examines how trust, authenticity, and emotion have replaced party structures and ad spending as the true engines of influence.
2:50-3:00 PM
Transition
Closing Plenary
4:00-4:05 PM
Welcome & Framing
4:05-4:30 PM
AI, Copyright & Who Owns the Future
4:30-4:50 PM
Dumb On Purpose: Why Civics Classes Disappeared – Ben Sheehan
4:50–5:20 PM
The Future of Philanthropy with John Palfrey
5:20–5:30 PM
Closing Reflection & Farewell
Farewell Reception
6:00-8:30 PM
Food, Drinks, New & Old Friends
Forum Locations
Thursday, November 13 - Day 1: Building Capacity
Location
Cantina Frida, 252 N Beverly Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
12:00-7:45 pm
Parking:
Public parking is available in the structure accessible at 242 N. Beverly Drive or 241 N. Cañon Drive, Beverly Hills. The maximum daily rate is $22. See additional rates and information here.
Friday, November 14 - Day 2: Building Resilience
Location
United Talent Agency, 9336 Civic Center Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
8:30 am-5:30 pm
Parking:
There is generally 10-hour meetered street parking available on Civic Center Drive. If you can’t find street parking, you may park in the public structure at 9333 Third Street, Beverly Hills. The maximum daily rate is $16. See additional rates and information here.
Arrival:
Once parked or dropped off, head up the steps off Civic Center Dr. There is a ramp on the eastern side of the steps for those looking for an accessible route. Once you reach the landing, please enter the building on the left at the main reception. Forum check-in will be at the base of the interior stairs after you enter the building.
Farewell Reception
Home of Judy Friedman, 446 S. Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90212
6:00-8:30 pm
Attendee List
First Name
Last Name
Organization
Attendee List
First Name
Last Name
Organization
Pop-Up Pitches
Title
Overview
Contact
Black Womens' Labor Project
We will intake large volumes of people's stories using a video phone app, and then use AI to search for patterns. We will individually verify chosen respondents, and develop content out of this which covers a devastating loss for black women and the nation.
Farai Chideya
Agents of Influence: A Spy Media Literacy Game For Informed Decision making
Agents of Influence is a spy-themed media-literacy game that builds learners’ research, conversation, and analysis skills through immersive missions. Backed by positive findings with Stanford’s Social Media Lab, we’re piloting in 500+ schools. We’re seeking funding, mission-aligned partners to cross promote resources, and distribution partners, including introductions to educational organizations, to reach more learners.
Anahita Dalmia
Our 4-Part Plan to Save Democracy
Voting rights groups are united behind a “Fight, Win, Prove, Enforce” framework to defend elections from authoritarianism. This plan needs more than policy experts to work; it needs culture change. It needs YOU. Let’s connect and discuss shifting cultural norms and engagement around standing up for democracy and for ourselves.
Tyler Hagenbuch
The Power Embedding Work-Family Stories in Entertainment Media
The Re-Scripting Gender, Work, Family, and Care initiative at New America recently commissioned research among streaming viewers showing the business, creative, and social impact cases for engaging, inclusive, nuanced stories about how people live, work, provide, and Care. Help us get this in front of decision-makers, storytellers, and dreamers in Hollywood!
Vicki Shabo
Committee for Safe and Secure Elections
CSSE trains election officials and law enforcement to coordinate response and prevent escalation, helping keep voters, election administrators, and election processes safe. We seek funding to expand training, distribute Quick Reference Guides, support strategic communication, and build partnerships to equip every jurisdiction before crises occur.
Tina Barton
Creators Academy
Acento Story Tank develops the Creators Academy, partnering with trusted messengers to teach and produce high-impact stories. We equip them with storytelling, verification, media literacy, responsible AI, and facts to spot and challenge disinformation and craft trusted narratives of resilience, work, culture, and diversity. Seeking partners and supporters across cities.
Tamoa Calzadilla
United Vision Project
Feature-length documentary about the pro-democracy movement. When people hear “Join the Movement,” they need to see what that means. They need your videos to show the everyday actions—big and small—making history. Submit your videos for potential inclusion to be shared with contributors for local screenings.
Adrienne Evans
Lila Goes Viral
Lila Goes Viral is a music-driven YouTube series that follows a teen girl turned accidental activist as she learns to use her voice for good. Blending humor, storytelling, and social impact, the show turns followers into changemakers. We’re seeking $55K to close our production gap and finish the season.
David Lowenstein
