The Media Institute for Social Change (MISC) is a non-profit, Emmy Award winning organization focused on promoting the use of media for positive social change through content creation, scholarships, education and research to present and future media content creators.

MISC aims to be a leader in advancing thought, discussion, and experimentation of how various forms of media can be utilized most effectively to influence maximum social impact.

Latest Films

Disconnected

Disconnected tells the story of Kathy who receives a text from her daughter that there is a shooter at her school. Then the line goes dark.

Written and directed by Daniel Sheahan.

Time's Up

Times’ Up is a short film about a woman alone at night. The film is having a successful festival run, in part because of the emotionally powerful way the film tackles sexual harassment and assault.

Written and directed by Hortense Lingjaerde.

Road To Zion

A Jamaican immigrant finds his life in LA shaken by forces outside his control as he struggles to understand how far he is willing to go to protect his family.

Written and directed by Andrew Reid.

Unfinished Lives Documentary (Thesis Trailer)

Currently on the festival circuit, Unfinished Lives is a documentary that sheds light on USC student Xinran Ji’s murder case.

Directed by Rae Yucong Chen.

On Time - A Film By Alum Xavier Burgin

A mother must make a difficult decision when she’s late for a job interview. | HBO Short Film, SAG AFTRA Short Film Showcase, Issa Rae Presents #ShortFilmSundays.

Written and Directed by Xavier Burgin.

La Ruta - Thesis Trailer

A USC Thesis film, a Guatemalan woman undertakes the journey to the U.S. border to seek asylum with her daughter, but first they must try and survive Mexico's infamous Route of Death.

Written and Directed by Star Victoria.

Lalo's House - Trailer

Lalo’s House follows the relentless courage of Manouchka, a 14 year-old Haitian girl, and her little sister Phara who are abducted and thrown into an underground prostitution network posing as a Catholic orphanage.

Directed by Kelley Kali.

Move In Day

A closeted gay freshman hears unexpected news while moving into his dorm room and must come to terms with his living situation, the culture at the institution, and where he belongs. Written and Directed by Jack Walterman

Mommy's Girl

MISC received a grant from the Stein Early Childhood Development Fund to create a fictional film about the importance of access to quality and affordable childcare.

MAYA AND LILY Screening

MISC received a grant from the Stein Early Childhood Development Fund to create a fictional film about the importance of access to quality and affordable childcare.

The Banyan Foundation Youth Leadership Council

The Banyan Foundation Youth Leadership Council 2018 tells the story of local Los Angeles high school students and their initiative to help and donate for local charities: Safe Place for Youth and With Love Market and Cafe.

Girl in the Icebox

A film by Miriam Arghandiwal. A young artist rebels against her oppressive society with her anonymous graffiti murals and quickly learns the price of having a voice.

Total Cancer Care Protocol

"Total Cancer Care Protocol" is an informational video for patients receiving care at the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Happy Bird

A film by Osahon Tongo. Two high school seniors look to heal their friendship through an afternoon of smoking when cutting scars are revealed and things get real.

Laboratory of Neuroimaging and Informatics

A film that explores the Laboratory of Neuroimaging (LONI) facilities and their groundbreaking research.

The Night of Broken Lights

A film by Sara Silkin. The light is bright, shinning on the racism that has plagued this country.

Hospice Home Care

"Hospice Home Care" is a commercial in partnership with the New Hope Foundation for families who need help with their aging loved ones.

Complicated Grief

“Complicated Grief" is a commercial in partnership with the New Hope Foundation for families who need help coping with grief after a death of someone close.

Big Data: Biomedicine

The National Institutes of Health teams USC MISC and USC Keck Medicine for a film about the issue of Big Data in the field of medicine.

Save The Children

Children who don't receive early childhood education are 5xs more likely to become chronic lawbreakers by age 18 than those who do receive it. USC-MISC recently filmed a PSA with Save the Children showing how early childhood education can shape a life…

I Make Movies

I Make Movies is a 5 part series of interviews created for the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) and highlights jobs that the entertainment industry provides beyond what we see on the red carpet…

No Child Left Deprived

A 5th Grade Class sends a message that CREATIVITY is just as important as LITERACY. Jaden, a young, inner-city public school student, takes a stand against his principal after the school's art teacher has been fired for choosing to teach art instead of the state-mandated, standardized test.

The Cost of Dying

This 80 second PSA satirizes California’s tax spending to support capital punishment. Directed by Eric Marshall.

Documenters

Three Syrian civilian journalists risk their lives to broadcast atrocities committed by the Syrian army. When discovered, a soldier caught up in the brutality finds himself more faithful to his humanity than duty. Directed by Faisal Attrache.

Power of the PSA

Emmy Award winning, The Power of the PSA or How To Change the World in 30 Seconds is a documentary about USC-MISC’s partnership with CBS2/KCAL9 to create PSAs “Collateral Damage,” “Help a Soldier Heal,” and “Internet Safety.”

Post and Text Responsibly

Parent’s illusion of safety and privacy is changed forever by access to the Internet and social media. A reminder about parental guidance and personal responsibility on the Internet. "Post and Text Responsibly" was directed by John Berardo to spread the message of NetSmartz.

Collateral Damage

A distraught grandmother (Alfre Woodard) addresses the perpetrator of her nine-year old grandson’s murder. A message from families destroyed by senseless urban violence to those who threaten the community. "Collateral Damage" was directed by Ryan Lipscomb to spread the message of Women Against Gun Violence.

Help a Soldier Heal

Home but not yet safe from psychic injury, a veteran of combat struggles to return to life after war. "Help a Soldier Heal" was directed by Maury Shessel to spread the message from Operation Gratitude of understanding this issue and help for combat veterans with PTSD

Guess Who?: The Soldier

For the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media, one in a series of short films directed to children supporting the concept that professions are gender neutral. Directed by Jordan Reddout.

Breaking Pointe

A silent film that examines the downfall of a relationship between a young dancer and her abusive boyfriend. Directed by Rebecca Doyle

Coming Soon

Latest Films

Happy Bird

A film by Osahon Tongo. Two high school seniors look to heal their friendship through an afternoon of smoking when cutting scars are revealed and things get real.

Laboratory of Neuroimaging and Informatics

A film that explores the Laboratory of Neuroimaging (LONI) facilities and their groundbreaking research.

Big Data: Biomedicine

The National Institutes of Health teams USC MISC and USC Keck Medicine for a film about the issue of Big Data in the field of medicine.

Save The Children

I Make Movies

What’s New

Featured

Feb 28, 2022

USC Is Going Green

Feb 28, 2022

USC and MISC are proud to announce their partnership with the Green Film School Alliance (GFSA) and how these new initiatives will lead Hollywood into a sustainable future for generations to come.

Feb 28, 2022

Sep 21, 2021

Save The Date! 2021 Hollywood Climate Summit

Sep 21, 2021

Join YEA! Impact for the Hollywood Climate Summit, an annual gathering of the entertainment community to combat the climate crisis. Four days packed with digital, interactive programming and one-on-one networking, guest speakers will include Rosaria Dawson and activist Leah Thomas.

Sep 21, 2021

Jul 29, 2021

Grants Worth Up To $7500 Through Art With Impact

Jul 29, 2021

Art With Impact is offering production grants worth up to $7500 for ten productions around mental health topics including grief and resilience as well as substance use disorder. More details, dates, and specifics inside!

Jul 29, 2021

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