The Michelson 20MM Foundation has awarded a Spark Grant to BRITE Media to create DISCONNECTED, a feature-length documentary exposing the human cost of the digital divide. Digital equity is not only about access to technology, it is about ensuring that everyone can participate fully in education, health care, civic life, and the economy. Without reliable internet, too many communities remain disconnected from opportunities others take for granted.

BRITE Media is determined to change that by bringing the fight for digital equity to the big screen and directly to the public. Through powerful storytelling, the film will show that when everyone is connected, society is stronger.

Making Policy Personal

DISCONNECTED shines a light on the people behind the policy debates. Advocates and policymakers have been working to close the digital divide, yet their work often happens out of the public’s view. Through the documentary, viewers will meet students struggling to complete homework without home internet, farmworkers unable to schedule medical appointments online, and families cut off from legal and immigration resources. Through empathy, humor, and hope, the film reveals why digital equity is essential for everyone.

“When we hear the stories behind the statistics, digital equity stops being an abstract issue and becomes urgent,” said Cristal Mojica, Senior Program Manager for Digital Equity. “Storytelling connects hearts and minds in ways data alone can’t. DISCONNECTED will help people see themselves in the fight for equity.”

Why Now Matters

The project is launching at a pivotal moment. Presently, Internet Service Providers (ISPs) remain largely unaccountable for serving rural and low-income communities. This was further evidenced by ISPs’ efforts to advance state-level public policy that would enable them to withdraw critical Carrier of Last Resort services from our communities. As a result, every day without action deepens the divide.

DISCONNECTED will premiere during a period when raising public awareness can directly influence policy and funding decisions. Timely screenings and panel discussions can give communities the tools to demand change before opportunities are lost.

Expanding the Lens

The Spark Grant will allow BRITE Media to expand filming beyond Los Angeles into Ventura County’s rural agricultural communities, including Fillmore, Santa Paula, and Oxnard. These predominantly immigrant and low-income towns face persistent broadband access challenges. Without high-speed internet, children fall behind in school, patients cannot connect with medical providers, and families have limited access to legal and immigration services.

From Screenings to Action

DISCONNECTED is both a documentary and a call to action. The filmmakers plan to debut the film at festivals, where live screenings will be followed by panel discussions with community leaders, advocates, and policymakers. These conversations will move audiences from awareness to action. As momentum builds, the team hopes to secure streaming distribution to bring the digital equity movement to millions of households nationwide.

A Shared Vision for Connection

Michelson 20MM Spark Grants program invests in initiatives that tackle systemic barriers to equity and opportunity. Supporting DISCONNECTED aligns with our belief that connected communities are stronger communities. By amplifying the voices of those most affected by the digital divide, the film seeks to inspire collective action to close the gap for good.

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About the Michelson 20MM Foundation

Michelson 20MM is a private, nonprofit foundation working toward equity for underserved and historically underrepresented communities by expanding access to educational and employment opportunities, increasing affordability of educational programs, and ensuring the necessary supports are in place for individuals to thrive. To do so, we work in the following verticals: Digital Equity, Intellectual Property, Smart Justice, Student Basic Needs, and Open Educational Resources (OER). Co-chaired and funded by Alya and Gary Michelson, Michelson 20MM is part of the Michelson Philanthropies network of foundations.