nextPix feels it is important to have a positive humanitarian impact on the community, country, and world at large. To that end our feature film projects will reflect a humanistic message that is both positive and diverse, understanding that humanism reflects itself in many ways, in many guises.

Humanistic film and media emphasizes human stories and seeks to define what is common among people rather than what separates us. In general, humanistic media has a message of reconciliation, even as such reconciliation arises from struggle and conflict, comedy or tragedy. Sometimes, it is the need for reconciliation that is evoked, with an injustice revealed as the catalyst. Moreover, through tolerance and compassion, humanistic stories promote understanding and empathy between people, rather than dehumanize people into opposing camps where ‘the other’ is separate from ‘us’, whether that be because of race, religion, sexual orientation, gender, or political affiliation. A humanistic vision offers an alternative to a mythic world view that promotes melodramatic stereotypes and shallow storytelling.

Why does all this matter? In our modern age, with modern weapons of mass destruction, global economics and modern communications, a humanistic approach to life, and humanistic approach to media, is the only way to develop a world culture that is sustainable, cooperative, self-aware and not easily manipulated. This is why we at nextPix support humanistic film and media and leaders who promote such a vision. It is a vision that we believe is fundamental for any society that wishes to remain free and democratic.

When we think of the precedents for humanistic media and film, we can look to Shakespeare, Italian neo-realistic films, and to many modern 'auteur' filmmakers.  And by humanistic we don’t mean the strictly secular; many examples of humanistic film and media are profoundly spiritual at their core and uniquely inspired in their moral quest for social justice.

If you like this message, please send this along to your friends and ask them to like our Facebook page. This will help spread the message of humanistic film and media.  We are not alone in this mission; the former Dean of UCLA film school, Teri Schwartz, specifically cited the need for ‘humanistic storytelling’ to inspire our future filmmakers. And again, many of our best film and media people today agree with, even while they may not always adhere to, a humanistic approach to storytelling.

Ultimately, our goal is to help move culture in a more positive direction; toward that end we dedicate our work.

-- Don Thompson, August, 2021