TELLING AMERICA’S STORIES
THE BETTER ANGELS SOCIETY
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.
The Better Angels Society’s mission is to be the preeminent organization supporting American history documentary filmmakers, advancing the use of their body of work to promote civic engagement and educate generations of students and lifelong learners.
THE 2023 LIBRARY OF CONGRESS LAVINE/KEN BURNS PRIZE FOR FILM
Submissions for the 2023 Library of Congress Lavine/Ken Burns Prize for Film opened on February 15 and closed on May 15, 2023. The Prize Ceremony will be held at the Library of Congress on the evening of September 26, 2023. For more information about the Prize, or to submit a history documentary film for consideration next year, explore the links below.
WE SUPPORT
“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.”
“We believe an understanding of history is critical to a healthy democracy.”
“Through his storytelling, Ken revives our often dormant moral conscience while giving a voice to the voiceless. He is a national treasure.”
JOIN
Join this vibrant community of dedicated, like-minded individuals.
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
2023 Library of Congress Lavine/Ken Burns Prize for Film Opens for Submissions!
Annual Award, Supported by The Better Angels Society and The Crimson Lion/Lavine Family Foundation, Recognizes Exemplary Accomplishment in Historical Documentaries $1.45 Million Awarded Through Prize Since 2019 Dr. Annette Gordon-Reed, Sam Pollard, Dawn Porter,
DONOR SPOTLIGHT
DONOR SPOTLIGHT: Hal and Diane Brierley
"It's more important than ever that we all understand and believe what really happened
IN THE PRESS
Announcing the Recipients of the 2023 Better Angels Lavine Fellowship
JANUARY 31, 2023: Today, The Better Angels Society announced the recipients of this year’s
Fourth Annual Student History Documentary Film Festival Takes Place in Philadelphia
In partnership with The Philadelphia Film Society, The Better Angels Society was delighted to
2022 Library of Congress Lavine/Ken Burns Prize for Film Awarded to Two Films: BELLA! and PHILLY ON FIRE
Washington, DC – October 19, 2022 – The Better Angels Society, the Library of