BLOG: Idaho Gives
Although I never in a million years thought I'd live in Idaho, I've been here now for 21-years (almost to the day). Both, In Real Life Films and #OMGFemaleFilmmakers were founded here and we would not be where we are today if it weren't for nonprofits. My first clients were nonprofits and I'm proud to say that what began as small business relationships in 2017, when I started my company, have blossomed into 9-year continual partnerships.
This Idaho Gives, I'd like to recognize three nonprofits that we've been creating content with for the last few years.
Idaho Community Foundation is the nonprofit behind Idaho Gives. Our working relationship started years ago with Idaho Nonprofit center who merged with Idaho Community Foundation last year. And last year, was our big road trip around Idaho, meeting nonprofit leaders and philanthropists from Boise to Coeur d'Alene to Pocatello and everywhere in between. Those interviews and various b-roll shots became the content we used to create their Idaho Gives campaign. We crafted a single story for each region and turned those into six different spots - two for social media, two for YouTube, and two for television. That project produced almost 40-videos - the most we've ever created for a campaign!
It was fun to showcase different nonprofits in North Idaho, East Idaho, Southwest Idaho, South Central Idaho, and Statewide. It was also a great way to spend the summer - visiting places in Idaho that, even after 20-years, I still hadn't seen. Now I can say that I have!
Treasure Valley Children's Theater is not only a nonprofit we support through video and podcast creation, I'm also the board president! TVCT provides theater arts education to children, but more importantly, they provide space for those kids to grow and learn, and be their authentic selves in a safe community of likeminded individuals. Together, we created "Where in the Capitol is Ida," an interactive Idaho history based multi-media (live theater and video) performance for 4th graders! And this year, we started producing their new podcast, See Play Perform. These fun episodes feature impromptu dramatic readings, personal stories from the kids involved in TVCT, and even parents who share about the impact TVCT has had on their kids' lives.
United Vision for Idaho is a statewide, multi-issue progressive network committed to building a powerful, people-driven movement for lasting, structural change. We started working together in 2023 when we were hired to shoot a 3-day event in Boise. That turned many more productions including an episodic narrative It's Gonna Be OK Corral, written by executive director, Adrienne Evans, and a documentary, Democracy in Motion (working title) that is slated to release later this year. I've watched in real-time how lives can change when we take a moment to really listen to our neighbors.
Idaho Gives is an annual opportunity to give to the multitude of nonprofits in our state. This year, it runs May 4-7, so click this link and donate to support your favorite Idaho nonprofit today!
Upcoming Events
"My Omaha" Screening and Panel by United Vision for Idaho at The Flicks. May 26, 2026 at 6:30pm. Come watch the film, "My Omaha," by filmmaker Nick Beaulieu as he documents his personal story of reconciling with his terminally ill father Randy, a staunch pro-Trump supporter. At this screening, UVI will also be sharing the trailer to our upcoming documentary, Democracy in Motion. After the screening, Executive Director, Adrienne Evans, and me - Steph Lokelani - will host a Q&A.
Purchase tickets here OR contact me! I do have a few available for those who are interested in joining us.
Book Launch Party with Mindy Love at IRL Studios. Mindy has just published her first book, "Getting Back in The Saddle: A Real AF Guide to Dating, Sex, and Taking Your Power Back After Divorce," and we are proud to host her launch party at our studio at 24 S. Cole Rd. in Boise. The event is an open house on Saturday, June 20th from 4pm-6pm, stop by for a book signing and to celebrate with Mindy!
