UNDIVIDE US
Two years ago Kristi found herself moved to begin production of film about how we, as Americans, can disagree, but still communicate respectfully. With that mission in mind, UNDIVIDE US was created.
Kristi produced and directed this film as she worked with both Stand Together Foundation and The State Policy Network to bring this documentary to life.
UNDIVIDE US has premiered at over 15 film festivals and won various awards such as Best Documentary Feature from the Blue Whiskey Independent Film Festival.
Watch the film trailer HERE.
Learn more about this project and how to disagree better here, https://undivideusmovie.com/.
Exploring the Real Faces of Globalization | Cato Institute
Cato Institute Vice President Scott Lincicome explains his team’s motivation behind the new Faces of Globalization video series and Cato’s ongoing Defending Globalization project. He also summarizes the series’ first three installments and the essential humanity of everyday commerce that just so happens to cross political borders.
From Textile Town to Ghost Town to Car Town : West Point, Georgia | Cato Institute
Tiny West Point, Georgia, was once an American “textile town” crippled by globalization. But today, the very same economic forces that challenged West Point decades ago are fueling its rebirth—and supporting the lives of thousands of American workers in the process. The region’s evolution shows that the global economy’s story doesn’t end after a disruptive event; it’s constantly changing—and usually for the better.
More Than Just a “Cheap T-Shirt”: Guatemala Textiles | Cato Institute
A common criticism of globalization is that its costs aren’t worth the “cheap T‑shirts” we get in return. But those shirts help American families stretch their budgets and serve as a lifeline for millions of the world’s poorest people. We traveled to an apparel factory in Guatemala to tell some of these people’s stories and to show how globalization has lifted more than a billion humans out of abject poverty since 2000.
Globalization For Fun and Profit : The Digital Gaming Economy | Cato Institute
Digital trade is globalization’s hottest area today, and gaming is a huge part of that trend. Millions of people regularly compete, collaborate, and conduct business in massive virtual worlds that seamlessly cross international borders. They are the new, fresh faces of 21st-century globalization, and they’re part of an industry that’s more than three times the size of music and movies combined.
The Innocence Project | Cato Institute
Since 1992, the Innocence Project has fought to exonerate the wrongfully convicted and implement reforms designed to reduce the number of wrongful convictions and impose accountability on a system that regularly produces them. Since then, the Innocence Project has freed 232 people who were falsely convicted and collectively spent 3,555 years behind bars for crimes that they did not commit.
Qualified Immunity: Justice Denied | Cato Institute
Sam Pauly and his brother were attempting to scare off intruders around their home in a remote part of New Mexico when they fired warning shots into the air. Moments later, Sam was dead from a bullet fired by state police who never announced themselves. Sam’s family tells the story, and Clark Neily explains how qualified immunity has prevented accountability for Sam’s murder.
Foster Care and Race
Should a child's race have to match the race of his or her adoptive parents? While the law says "no", some activists say "yes". AEI's Naomi Schaefer Riley explains the looming issues with the courts and policy through the experience of a family in Mississippi.
Foster Care and the Courts
How do you define "family"? For some foster children, blood relatives are merely obstacles that separate them from a safe, permanent home. AEI's Naomi Riley uses the experience of a family in Arizona to explain that while the law is clear, the courts can be more-than-deferential to abusive and irresponsible biological parents.
A CLEAN SLATE
Kristi served as a Producer on this project working closely with friend and colleague, Trần Hoàng Calvin, on his directorial debut.
A Clean Slate takes place in Wisconsin as it reforms its expungement process, the opportunity for a second chance for the formerly incarcerated hinges on a local activist named Shanyeill McCloud.
Learn more HERE.
See more HERE.
THE MILTON FRIEDMAN PRIZE FOR ADVANCING LIBERTY
The Milton Friedman Prize for Advancing Liberty, established in 2001, honors individuals who significantly contribute to advancing human freedom. Named after Nobel laureate Milton Friedman, a prominent 20th-century advocate for liberty, the prize is awarded biennially. In his support for the prize, Friedman emphasized the importance of valuing freedom, particularly in societies where it is often taken for granted. The 2023 Biennial Dinner for the prize was held on May 18, 2023, at the National Building Museum in Washington, DC.
Kristi worked on the video for the 2023 Milton Friedman Prize Winner, Jimmy Lai, as the Executive Producer (CATO, 2023).
See more HERE.
Learn more HERE.
Episode 1 : Federal Debt
Explore the U.S. federal debt problem with economist Ryan Bourne in episode one of our Fundamentals of Economics video series. In this video, Bourne breaks down the federal deficit, national debt, and what’s causing the longer‐term problem. Designed for high school students, this video may be utilized to spark conversation in conjunction with an AP economics class or as part of our lesson, The Causes of the National Debt and Its Implications for Future Generations.
Episode 2 : Theories of Regulation
In 2021, U.S. federal agencies finalized over 3,000 new regulations, prompting an exploration into the reasons behind the rules, mandates, and directives coming from Washington. As part of our Fundamentals of Economics video series, economist Ryan Bourne explores three theories posed by economists for this regulation and how they each stem from very different worldviews about the effectiveness of government. Designed for high school students, this video may be utilized to spark conversation in conjunction with an AP economics class or as part of our lesson, Regulations: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Episode 3 : Price Ceilings
Explore the challenges and consequences associated with price ceilings, or maximum price controls, that governments sometimes impose to address affordability issues for certain goods or services with economist Ryan Bourne. As part of our Fundamentals of Economics video series, Bourne contextualizes the history of price controls and how their use may have unintended consequences. Designed for high school students, this video may be utilized to spark conversation in conjunction with an AP economics class or as part of our lesson, Price Controls: Unintended Consequences in Action.
Episode 4 : Market Failures
Develop a better understanding of how markets function and government interventions can impact their outcomes in this video from our Fundamentals of Economics series with economist Ryan Bourne. Throughout this video, Bourne uses relevant examples to explain the imperfections that exist already in markets and government and how the concept of “market failures” has been used to justify interventions that may not be warranted. Designed for high school students, this video may be utilized in conjunction with an AP economics class or as part of our lesson, Market Failure versus Government Failure.
Episode 5 : Comparative Advantage
Gain a deeper understanding of how individuals, nations, and the global economy benefit from the concept of comparative advantage in episode five of our Fundamentals of Economics video series with economist Ryan Bourne. In this video, Bourne breaks down the complex economic concept of comparative advantage — the production of a good of service at a lower opportunity cost than another person, firm, or country — through relatable examples for students. Designed for high school students, this video may be utilized to spark conversation in conjunction with an AP economics class or as part of our Comparative Advantage and the Gains from Trade lesson.
Beasts of No Nation
Kristi worked on Beasts of no Nation as Executive Producer for Narrative Content (Netflix, 2016).
In order to help make the issues surrounding child soldiers more real and relevant, Kristi worked with Participant Media on the impact campaign for Beasts of No Nation. Kristi produced short videos of former child soldier Emanuel Jal (below) and author Uzodinma Iweala (also below).
She also worked with a producer based in Africa to uncover contemporary stories of a former female child soldier and a child from the Cobra division in South Sudan.
Behind the Scenes
Harriet
Kristi began to believe in the Harriet Tubman biopic as a project when it was still in script form and she helped get it off the ground.
In her role at New Balloon, Kristi championed Harriet as a project and was involved in script feedback, vetting directors, and supporting producers in their negotiations with production houses.
Harriet was subsequently acquired by Focus Features and is set to premiere as a major feature film on November 1, 2019.
Venezuela Student Talks
The Fund for American Studies asked Kristi to work on the presentations of two Venezuelan recent college graduates, who are now seeking asylum in the United States, before they embarked on a cross-country speaking tour. Kristi worked with the Venezuelan speakers to develop compelling, relatable material in a story structure that would resonate with college students. Kristi also produced a short trailer to accompany the talk.
Learn more HERE.
See more HERE.
R.A.F.T. (Reuniting America by Fostering Trust) is a movement dedicated to breaking down barriers and fostering trust between people with different life experiences and perspectives. In 2024, people were brought together on rafting trips, providing a unique environment where meaningful conversations and connections could flourish.
Kristi joined R.A.F.T for America as a Producer and as the project evolved, Kristi was entrusted to produce content for their social media accounts.
This project was covered by CBS News’ Eye on America segment.
Learn more HERE.
See more HERE.
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