Blog

Film poster for "First To Go" by Myles Matsuno. The film title, festival laurels, and an origami crane fashioned out of paper printed with U.S. flags.

These Two Personal Films Highlight Resilience and Remembrance for Universal Human Rights Month

November 23, 2021
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) was signed by member nations on December 10, 1948. For the first time, it set out fundamental human rights to be universally protected. The 30 rights and freedoms set out in the UDHR include the right to asylum, the right to freedom from torture, the right to free speech and the right to education. It includes economic, social and cultural rights, like the right to social security, health and education. It also includes civil and political rights, like the right to life, liberty, free speech and privacy.
Headshots of Nat Ruiz Tofano, a multiracial filmmaker, and Todd McGrain, a white filmmaker, smiling for the camera.

Meet New Day: Nat Ruiz Tofano and Todd McGrain

November 20, 2021
When we were in graduate school, what brought us together was a strong belief that art can touch each of us in a way that ideas and intellect alone cannot. I (Todd) am a sculptor, artist, and filmmaker and have worked for many years creating sculptural monuments to birds that have been victims of human-caused extinction. I (Nat) am an independent documentary film producer and programmer for the documentary field.
Headshot of Myles Matsuno, a Japanese-Mexican filmmaker.

Meet New Day: Myles Matsuno

November 18, 2021
I am a filmmaker born and raised in Los Angeles who is passionate about telling stories that carry meaningful and empowering messages. Growing up in a mixed household, (My father is Japanese, and my mother is Mexican), I was taught, at a very young age, to value education, inclusion, and art. The films I make revolve around universal themes that I personally value and can relate to.
In this 1971 black and white image, the four young, original founders of New Day Films look straight into the camera. They are all smiling. Standing from left to right: Amalie R. Rothschild, Julia Reichert and Jim Klein. Liane Brandon is seated in front of them. From behind her, Amalie and Julia hold their hands under her chin in a circle embrace. All four look joyful and engaged.

Join us in celebrating New Day Films' 50th Anniversary

October 27, 2021
NEW DAY FILMS 50TH ANNIVERSARY FOUNDERS CELEBRATIONPlease find the panel recording from this wonderful event on YouTube with closed captions!Panel with Audio Description.Panel without Audio Description.Information about the event:Virtual event: Friday, November 12that 2:00 - 3:30 pm ET/11:00 am - 12:30 pm PTRSVP @ tinyurl.com/NewDay50
A montage of cisgender and transgender women from the film Break the Silence who represent a range of ages and ethnicities. Each woman is shown while talking during her interview against a plain, pale background. All have a different expression, including smiling, raising their eyebrows in thought, laughing, or with a pensive look.

Important Films in Support of Reproductive Justice

September 20, 2021
As the volatile and deeply personal issue of abortion becomes headline news yet again, New Day Films reaffirms its support for women, trans, and non-binary people in their struggle for sexual freedom and reproductive justice. 
A medium shot of a hand holding a mask and stethoscope. In the background is the torso of a person wearing a white doctor’s outfit.

Care for All: Films Promoting Health Equity

September 18, 2021
The elastic band from one of my many facemasks is finally stretched out beyond repair. After eighteen months of wearing this mask to protect myself and others from the COVID-19 virus, it is time to finally discard this faded and worn, but familiar accessory to my everyday wardrobe. I have been fully vaccinated for six months, and with the privilege of my expanded freedom comes the stark reality of the many who are not so fortunate.
New Day Filmmakers Joe Phelps and Rosemary Smith sit side by side on wooden chairs, smiling at the camera. Joe wears a green and white plaid shirt and Rosemary is dressed in black.

Meet New Day: Joe Phelps and Rosemary Smith

September 18, 2021
We began working together in 2018. I (Joe) spent early years in the music industry as a drummer and band leader, but later started a marketing company centered on a team-based structure and integrated marketing communications. In 2015 I launched the Getting Better Foundation, which focused on supporting media literacy education in schools and legislative efforts, building trust and resilience, and reducing polarization and racism. The film, TRUST ME, was a clear next step in our mission. 
A shiny multi-colored academy award statute with the text: 2021 New Academy Members #WeAreTheAcademy

Congrats Rodney Evans and Alice Elliott for Being Inducted into the Academy

July 8, 2021
Special congrats to our very own Rodney Evans and Alice Elliott for being added to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences as new members in 2021. We're so proud of them for achieving one of the highest honors as filmmakers. Learn more about the 2021 Inductees to the Academy here.
In this black and white photo from the 1980s, five teens and children of various races sit on playground equipment smiling on a bright summer’s day.

Mother's Day

May 4, 2021
Mother’s Day was first conceived in the 1850s when Ann Reeves Jarvis, a social activist and community organizer, put together “Mother’s Day Work Clubs” to provide assistance and education to reduce disease and infant mortality. At around the same time, Julia Ward Howe, another activist, as well as abolitionist and suffragette, wrote the Mother’s Day Proclamation - a call to action for mothers to work toward world peace. In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed a measure officially establishing the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day.
New Day husband and wife filmmaking team Baldwin Chiu and Larissa Lam look directly in the camera smiling softly. Larissa is wearing a leather jacket and has her arm on Baldwin’s shoulder. He is wearing a black shirt with writing on it. They are bathed in red lighting.

Meet New Day: Baldwin Chiu and Larissa Lam

April 30, 2021
We are a Chinese American husband-wife filmmaking team from California who are passionate about empowering and educating others through film. We are actively working to broaden the way American history is taught and discussed so that it is more inclusive of the Asian American experience and other underrepresented groups. Prior to becoming a film director, I (Larissa) worked in the music industry for 20 years as a singer-songwriter and composer for projects like The Oprah Winfrey Show.

Pages