Frequently Asked Questions
Thriving Roots Initiative
Q. What is Thriving Roots Initiative?
A. Thriving Roots Initiative is a nonprofit organization that uses storytelling and social impact documentary filmmaking to support community-led change, healing, and social justice. We collaborate directly with film participants and their communities to ensure stories are told ethically and authentically.
Q. When was Thriving Roots Initiative founded?
A. Thriving Roots Initiative was founded in 2019 by filmmakers Atin Mehra and Mae Thornton Mehra after witnessing the need for deeper, community-centered support during the creation of long-form social impact documentaries.
Q. What types of films does Thriving Roots Initiative support?
A. We focus on social impact documentary films that address issues such as disability justice, caste and systemic inequality, healthcare access, incarceration, gender justice, and human rights. Our films are created in collaboration with the communities whose stories are being told.
Q. What makes Thriving Roots Initiative different from other film nonprofits?
A. Thriving Roots Initiative prioritizes collaborative storytelling, meaning communities are active participants in shaping how their stories are told. We emphasize ethical filmmaking, long-term relationships, and impact strategies that extend beyond the screen into education, advocacy, and community dialogue.
Q. What is the Thriving Films Program?
A. The Thriving Films Program supports the development and production of social impact documentary films. Projects work closely with participants and their communities to raise awareness, educate audiences, and catalyze meaningful change around pressing global and local issues.
Q. What is the Thriving Voices Program?
A. Thriving Voices is a hands-on documentary training program that equips youth from marginalized communities with the tools, mentorship, and skills needed to tell their own stories through film. Training takes place within participants’ own communities, strengthening identity, voice, and creative agency.
Who can participate in Thriving Voices?
Thriving Voices is designed for youth and emerging storytellers from marginalized or underrepresented communitieswho have limited access to filmmaking resources but a strong desire to share their perspectives with the world.
How does Thriving Roots Initiative work with communities?
We work through trust-based partnerships, listening first and collaborating throughout every stage of the filmmaking process. When relevant, we connect filmmakers with social science and subject-matter experts to support accurate, ethical storytelling.
How can I support Thriving Roots Initiative?
You can support Thriving Roots Initiative by donating, sponsoring a program, partnering on a project, hosting a screening, or helping amplify our work. Every contribution helps sustain ethical storytelling and community-driven impact.
Can I host a screening of a Thriving Roots Initiative film?
Yes. We encourage community screenings, educational screenings, and impact events. Hosting a screening helps spark dialogue, raise awareness, and connect audiences with the real-world issues explored in our films.
How can filmmakers collaborate with Thriving Roots Initiative?
Filmmakers interested in collaboration should share projects that align with our mission of social justice, ethical storytelling, and community partnership. We prioritize projects that center participant voices and long-term impact.
Where does Thriving Roots Initiative operate?
Thriving Roots Initiative works internationally, with projects and partnerships spanning North America, India, and other global communities, depending on each film’s focus and needs.
How can I contact Thriving Roots Initiative?
You can reach us through the Contact page on our website for general inquiries, partnerships, screenings, or program information.