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.”
THE 2020 LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
LAVINE/KEN BURNS PRIZE FOR FILM
SUBMISSIONS ARE NOW CLOSED
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
Education Writers Association recognizes College Behind Bars
We are proud to announce that College Behind Bars is a finalist for the Education Writers Association's 2019 National Awards for Education Reporting. Comments from the Judges include: “The commitment and effort the filmmakers took
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
Ken Burns on TODAY Show: Coronavirus will be comparable to Great Depression in American history
PBS is releasing the award-winning documentaries of Ken Burns free to students in lockdown. Joining
SouthCoast Today: Of Ken Burns, Flannery O’Connor and life in these complicated times
By Lauren Daley Posted Dec 2, 2019 at 6:23 PM Updated Dec 2, 2019 at 6:23 PM “Particularly now, when we seemed to have lost
Associated Press: Ken Burns is behind new grant for film on Flannery O’Connor
NEW YORK (AP) — Ken Burns is inaugurating an annual prize for makers of historical