The Why Foundation

The Why Foundation is a nonprofit organization based in Copenhagen that produces and distributes social justice-oriented documentary films world-wide.[1][2][3] It was founded the name Steps International by Nick Fraser and Mette Hoffmann Meyer[4] in 2004 and renamed in 2014.[5]

The foundation expresses commitment to free access to information,[6] providing free online screening on their website and on YouTube, as well as partnering with TV stations across the world for Public-access television.[7] The foundation also organizes screenings for schoolkids around the world, showing its films dubbed or subtitled in local languages.[8][9]

From 2004 the foundation was headed by CEO Don Edkins, he was succeeded by Danish documentary filmmaker Christoffer Guldbrandsen [da] in 2014.[10] The current CEO is Mette Hoffmann Meyer.[4]

In 2013 the foundation won a Peabody award, under its former name, Steps International, for its series Why Poverty?[11]

In 2018 the foundation released its fourth documentary series called Why Slavery?, documenting various forms of modern slavery in six films.[12] The series reached 191 countries through 70 TV stations, including BBC and BBC World News.[13]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference cbc was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Rafique, Waiza (15 January 2020). "Discussing Human Rights through films: #The Why Film Festival 2020". Daily Times.
  3. ^ "Documentales para acercarse a la otra cara del mundo". La Capital. October 17, 2018.
  4. ^ a b Paul, Jonathan (September 15, 2016). "DR TV doc chief Mette Hoffmann Meyer to step down". Realscreen.
  5. ^ Ravn Nielsen, Marie (September 24, 2014). "DR2 mister markant journalistisk chef". DR.
  6. ^ "About THE WHY". www.thewhy.dk.
  7. ^ Jensen, Sally (October 8, 2018). "Seks nye dokumentarfilm skal åbne verdens øjne for moderne slaveri - Danwatch". danwatch.
  8. ^ Ravindran, Manori (July 24, 2019). "Why in the World: Foundation Promotes Human Rights through Docs". The IDA.
  9. ^ Freije, Layal (April 14, 2019). "Film som ændrer verden: "Vi siger, at vi er verdens mindste organisation med verdens største footprint"". Børsen.
  10. ^ Ravindran, Manori (September 23, 2014). "Steps Int'l rebrands as Why Foundation, names CEO". Realscreen.
  11. ^ "Why Poverty? Steps International, BBC, DR-Danish Broadcast Corp". Peabody.
  12. ^ Flott, Søren (October 15, 2018). "Mennesker til salg: Køb en slave for 581 kroner". Fyens Stiftstidende.
  13. ^ Nordentoft, Ane (September 27, 2018). "Serie af dokumentarfilm sætter fokus på moderne slaveri | Globalnyt". Globalnyt.