40.7493° N, 73.9679° W
presents

The Story You Are Shaping

United Nations

HUMAN created a seven-part film series for the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit—crafted as a visionary message to world leaders and humanity alike, inspiring empathy, policy shifts, and global awareness of our shared human rights.

40.7493° N, 73.9679° W

Project Overview

The Story You Are Shaping

HUMAN was tasked by the United Nations to create a seven part short film series that will play at the UN Sustainable Development Summit in New York on September 24th. The films cast a vision for the future of humanity to this historic gathering of heads of state and world leaders who will be present, the largest gathering of world leaders in human history. These films will inspire shifts in policy and are intended to engender empathy for all of humanity from the highest levels to the citizen level. These films were written to world leaders as human beings and thus they are universal. The films are being released broadly to the world and used as a tool to let everyone know their rights as humans.

2015

Case Study

United Nations

“The Story You Are Shaping” – A Visionary Film Series by HUMAN for the United Nations

Overview

In 2015, the United Nations embarked on a historic journey to adopt the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. To mark this pivotal moment, the UN commissioned HUMAN, a creative agency renowned for its narrative-driven approach, to produce a seven-part short film series titled “The Story You Are Shaping.” These films were unveiled at the UN Sustainable Development Summit in New York, aiming to inspire global leaders and citizens alike.

Challenge

The UN sought to communicate the essence of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) beyond policy documents and speeches. The challenge was to create content that would resonate emotionally, fostering empathy and a sense of shared responsibility among a diverse global audience.

Approach

HUMAN approached this challenge by crafting narratives that transcended cultural and linguistic barriers. Each film was designed to be a universal message to humanity, emphasizing our collective role in shaping the future. The series combined powerful storytelling with evocative visuals and music to engage viewers on a profound emotional level.

Execution

  • Conceptualization: Developed seven thematic films, each aligning with key aspects of the SDGs.
  • Production: Utilized a blend of live-action footage, animation, and compelling voiceovers to convey messages.
  • Collaboration: Worked closely with UN departments to ensure alignment with the summit's objectives.
  • Distribution: Premiered the series at the UN Sustainable Development Summit and made it accessible globally via online platforms. OHCHR+2ResearchGate+2Taylor & Francis Online+2

Impact

The film series played a significant role in humanizing the SDGs, making them more relatable and actionable for individuals worldwide. By focusing on shared human experiences and aspirations, the films fostered a sense of unity and urgency, encouraging both policymakers and citizens to commit to the goals.

Conclusion

HUMAN's collaboration with the United Nations exemplifies the power of storytelling in driving global change. “The Story You Are Shaping” stands as a testament to how creative narratives can transcend traditional communication methods, inspiring collective action towards a sustainable future. United Nations+1United Nations+1

For a visual experience of the project, you can watch the full film series here:

If you need further details or specific information about the individual films within the series, feel free to ask.

Credits
The Story You Are Shaping

Written and Directed by

Jonathan Olinger

Created by

HUMAN (http://HUMAN.us)

In partnership with

The Office of the Special Adviser on Post-2015 Development Planning

UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs

UN Department of Global Communications (formerly UN Department of Public Information)

United Nations Foundation

Voice

Phumzille Sitole

Score

Max Richter

Ben Lukas Boysen

Tim Fain


Creative Direction

Yaara Sumeruk

Edit

Jonathan Olinger

Ricky Norris

Yaara Sumeruk

Music Supervision by

Jacob Marshall

Sound Design and Mix by

Ryan Pribyl

Produced by

Chelsea Franklin

Juliana Schatz

Hannah Roodman

Special Thanks to

Planetary Collective weareplanetary.com

Yann Arthus-Bertrand and HUMAN the movie team human-themovie.org

UNICEF

UNDP

The United Nations Foundation

Footage from the film Imizamo Yethu (People Have Gathered) and The Girl from Amsora provided courtesy of Cracked in the Head Films. Director Rory Bain, Producer James Elder, Cinematographer Corey Eisenstein

It's time
The world is waiting for your story to be told.