From Screen to Classroom: How Chris Temple and Zach Ingrasci Engage Students with Real-World Stories
/In a world where news cycles often highlight division, Chris Temple and Zach Ingrasci have dedicated their filmmaking to fostering connection and understanding.
As co-founders of Optimist Films, their features serve as more than just stories—they're bridges, offering viewers new perspectives on pressing social issues like poverty, immigration, and displacement. Their powerful documentaries have garnered global acclaim, but what sets them apart is their commitment to bringing these stories directly to the hearts of educational institutions.
For colleges and K-12 schools, Chris and Zach offer a unique opportunity. Their presentations and screenings don't just show films—they inspire dialogue, action, and empathy. Students leave these events not only better informed but also motivated to engage with the world around them in meaningful ways. Whether it’s through a dynamic keynote address or an immersive film screening followed by a Q&A session, these events are designed to spark thoughtful conversation and broaden perspectives.
In 2024, amid a landscape rife with challenges, their work feels more critical than ever. Schools looking to foster global awareness and social responsibility among their students will find tremendous value in these experiences. Let their stories spark change, empathy, and hope for the future.
Screenings + Educational Resources
Click on each Film poster below to watch the official trailer!
Chris and Zach have collaborated with high school and college teachers, subject matter experts, and industry leaders to create educational resources for their films: discussion guides, mini-curriculum, short film modules, and more. A perfect way to integrate this content beyond their keynote and/or workshops.
Themes: The psychology of money, smart investing in an era powered by social media
Grade Levels: Grades 11-12, college, adults
Themes: Food Waste, food insecurity, social movements, youth entrepreneurship, and sustainable development goals
Grade Levels: Grades 4-12, college, adults
Themes: Civic engagement, financial empowerment, poverty alleviation, sustainability, cross-cultural learning and relationship building
Grade Levels: Grades 4-12, college, adults
Themes: Migration, the refugee crisis, refugee rights and education, cross-cultural learning and relationship building
Grade Levels: Grades 4-12, college, adults
Themes: Migration, mental health, immigrant youth
Grade Levels: Grades 7-12, college, adults
Themes: Gender equity, civic engagement, migration
Grade Levels: Grades 6-12, college, adults
Chris Temple
About the Speakers:
Chris and Zach are film directors and the founders of Optimist, a production studio in Los Angeles. They are best known for directing the feature documentaries Living On One Dollar, Salam Neighbor, Five Years North, and This Is Not Financial Advice. Their films have been released by Netflix, HBO, Hulu, National Geographic, and The Atlantic, and have screened at major film festivals including Tribeca, DOC NYC, Full Frame, AFI Docs, CPH:DOX, Mountainfilm, and many others. In 2022, they were both honored by HBO as 40 under 40 filmmakers to watch. They were finalists for the 2021 duPont-Columbia Awards for Outstanding Journalism and have won 4 Shorty Awards, 2 ADDY Awards, 1 Webby Award, and 2 AVA Digital Awards. Most importantly, their impact work at Optimist has helped to raise $92 million for non-profits working on financial empowerment, food access, and refugee education efforts.
Zach Ingrasci
Outspoken Agency is a women-owned speaking agency representing leaders, founders, public intellectuals, authors and entertainers for paid keynotes, workshops and panels at in-person and virtual events. Learn more about our female founders here.