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.”
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 is Pleased to Announce the Library of Congress Lavine/Ken Burns Prize for Film
THE BETTER ANGELS SOCIETY, THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS AND THE CRIMSON LION/LAVINE FAMILY FOUNDATION ANNOUNCE THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS LAVINE/KEN BURNS PRIZE FOR FILM Annual Award to Recognize Exemplary Accomplishment in Historical Documentaries Next Generation
DONOR SPOTLIGHT
DONOR SPOTLIGHT: Jonathan and Jeannie Lavine
The Crimson Lion Lavine Family Foundation proudly contributed a leadership gift to The Better Angels
IN THE PRESS
Billboard: How Ken Burns’ New Documentary Will ‘Redefine What People Think of As Country Music’
Ken Burns reaches into his front-right jeans pocket to retrieve a small, burnished silver heart,
The Washington Post: How maximum security inmates took on Cambridge in a debate about nuclear weapons — and won
"The three students from the University of Cambridge, wearing black suits and clutching sheaves of
Rolling Stone: Vince Gill Stuns at Ken Burns’ All-Star ‘Country Music’ Concert
Vince Gill was having some trouble with the teleprompter during the taping of Ken Burns’ all-star