Alicia Keys stars in LET ME IN, a powerful reimagining of the global refugee crisis as if it were happening on American soi
There are more refugees in the world today than at any point in history—and half of them are children.
LET ME IN is a cinematic experience that reimagines the global refugee crisis as if it were unfolding on American soil. Written and directed by Jonathan Olinger and starring Alicia Keys, the film follows one family's harrowing journey after violence erupts in Los Angeles, forcing them to flee their homeland. Along with thousands of displaced Americans, they seek refuge by crossing the border into Mexico. Inspired by the real stories of refugees around the world, the film is a tribute to the resilience of the human spirit, the sanctity of family, and the power of love in the face of unimaginable hardship.
Produced by We Are Here and HUMAN, the film introduces Naliyah Vega and Ricardo Martin, and is scored by a new Alicia Keys track, “Hallelujah,” from her then-upcoming album. Executive produced by Alicia Keys, Erika Rose Santoro, and Leigh Blake, the film was created to honor World Refugee Day and spark empathy, awareness, and action across generations.
In 2016, the world faced an unprecedented refugee crisis—over 65 million people displaced from their homes, half of them children. Yet despite the scale and urgency, public empathy remained elusive. HUMAN, in collaboration with Alicia Keys and the We Are Here Movement, created LET ME IN: a cinematic short film that flipped the narrative. What if the refugee crisis happened here—on American soil? By reframing the issue and leveraging the global reach of Alicia Keys, LET ME IN offered a radical, emotional invitation to empathize.
The refugee crisis had become politically polarizing, with media fatigue and compassion fatigue dulling public response. Advocacy campaigns often relied on statistics or distant imagery, failing to forge emotional connections that could drive real action.
HUMAN used its Narrative Design™ methodology to reimagine advocacy through immersive storytelling.
1. Short Film Premiere:
2. Media Launch & Press
3. Call-to-Action Platform:
4. Social Media Integration:
5. Educational & Community Toolkits:
Massive Media Reach:
Celebrity-Driven Momentum:
Emotional Resonance:
Tangible Action:
LET ME IN redefined how advocacy films can reach the public. By harnessing the power of emotional storytelling, celebrity activism, and digital-first distribution, HUMAN and its partners created not only a viral film but a paradigm shift in empathy. The project became a case study in how to build movement energy around a humanitarian crisis—without ever mentioning the word “refugee” until the very end.