The Exonerated Five, created by HUMAN for the Harris Walz 2024 US Presidential Campaign.
In partnership with the Harris–Walz campaign, HUMAN created The Exonerated Five—a powerful short film featuring the Central Park Five. Released organically without paid support, the film resonated deeply across social platforms, outperforming traditional ads and capturing hearts nationwide. This is a story of justice, resilience, and the enduring power of truth. After witnessing the film’s impact, the campaign amplified it with paid support, recognizing the unmatched authenticity and emotional force of the story. Sometimes, the truth still wins out.
A Case Study on HUMAN’s 2024 Campaign Film for Harris–Walz
In the midst of the 2024 U.S. presidential election—against the backdrop of deep political division and national reckoning with racial injustice—the Harris–Walz campaign partnered with HUMAN to produce The Exonerated Five, a short film featuring the Central Park Five. Released the night of the first presidential debate, the film offered a quiet, reflective counterpoint to the spectacle of political discourse, grounding the election in a deeper conversation about justice, truth, and leadership.
Filmed in collaboration with acclaimed filmmaker Ava DuVernay, the footage was shaped into a powerful piece that resonated widely across social media. Though launched organically without any paid media, the film quickly gained traction, with viewers sharing it for its emotional clarity and moral weight. The campaign later amplified the piece with paid support, recognizing its resonance as a story that speaks beyond politics.
In a campaign cycle filled with noise, misinformation, and high-stakes rhetoric, the Harris–Walz team sought to engage audiences through authenticity—not escalation. The challenge was to create a piece that could break through without sensationalism, and remind voters what was truly at stake—without relying on traditional partisan messaging or attack ads.
HUMAN approached the film with restraint and respect—focusing on the power of presence, not production.
1. Film Launch
2. Organic Release Strategy
3. Social Media Engagement
4. Campaign Amplification
Wide Organic Reach:
Cultural Recognition:
Authentic Emotional Response:
Extended Use:
The Exonerated Five served as a poignant and timely contribution—demonstrating that even in the most charged political moments, stories grounded in truth and lived experience can create meaningful connection. By choosing simplicity over spectacle, the film invited audiences to remember what justice looks like—and who it’s for.