TELLING AMERICA’S STORIES
The Better Angels Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating Americans about their history through documentary film. Our goal is to educate, engage and provoke thoughtful discussion among people of every political persuasion and ideology.
We work to ensure historically significant films are completed, broadcast, promoted, and shared in ways that reach and inform as many people as possible through robust educational and civic outreach. The Society is currently raising funds for Ken Burns’s films in production and planned over the next ten years.
We are also working to ensure that the next generation of documentary filmmakers, inspired by Ken Burns and his team, receive the education, mentoring, training, and support they need to continue his legacy.
“More Americans get their history from Ken Burns than any other source.”
“History can help us connect with our better angels.”
“Ken Burns brings to life our American history like no one else, and does it in a way that is riveting, relevant and impactful. Simply remarkable.”
” I am drawn to Ken’s ability to bring history to life and to ensure that future generations remember the history, both good and bad, of our country. It’s really about the stories that his documentries preserve.”
ANNOUNCING TWO NEW AWARDS FOR DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKING
The Better Angels is proud to sponsor awards dedicated to the next generation of documentary filmmakers.
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The immediate goal of The Better Angels Society is to complete funding for the documentary films currently in production, as well as the educational engagement tools that accompany each film. In addition, we are funding specific projects that fulfill a larger long-term mission, such as film restoration and preservation, supporting a new generation of filmmakers, and creating the Ken Burns legacy.
WHAT’S NEW
LATEST NEWS
The Better Angels Society 2018-2019 Annual Report
We are proud to present The Better Angels Society’s Annual Report for the 2018-2019 year. It has been a remarkable year of growth for The Better Angels Society, having launched new programs like the Library
DONOR SPOTLIGHT
DONOR SPOTLIGHT: Interview with Rocco Landesman
Why do you think this film [Country Music] is important now? Country music as a genre
IN THE PRESS
Aspen Daily News: ‘An evening with Ken Burns:’ Famous filmmaker to preview his latest project, “Country Music,” in Aspen
Erica Robbie, Aspen Daily News Staff Writer Aug 17, 2019 Despite his more than 30 years
Lancaster Online: 3 Donegal High students find national success with their History Day documentaries
MARY ELLEN WRIGHT | Staff Writer Jul 28, 2019 When Taylor Barton first learned about
The Joplin Globe: Joplin student earns chance to meet Ken Burns through History Day contest
By Emily Younker eyounker@joplinglobe.com In his second year participating in National History Day, Josef Schuller