The three Academy Awards contenders have deliberate messages that were not accidental. They were all created and funded by Participant Media, a company that is a pioneer in promoting social causes through films. Participant Media was established in 2004 by Jeff Skoll, a billionaire and former President of eBay. The company's portfolio includes a variety of films, such as "An Inconvenient Truth" about climate change, "Lincoln" directed by Steven Spielberg, and "Spotlight" which won Best Picture and focuses on journalists uncovering abuse by Catholic priests. Participant Media's Chief Executive, David Linde, explained that they are drawn to stories of ordinary individuals making a difference and inspiring change in their own lives and the lives of others. Linde mentioned that "Roma" is a notable example, a black-and-white drama distributed by Netflix Inc. The film centers around Cleo, an indigenous Mexican housekeeper who demonstrates bravery in the face of significant obstacles. It will be competing for the best picture award at the Oscars against "Green Book," a Participant movie from Comcast Corp's Universal Pictures which tells the story of a black pianist on a 1962 concert tour of the segregated US South. Actor Mahershala Ali was present at the 91st Oscars Nominees Luncheon in Beverly Hills, California on February 4, 2019. Additionally, "RBG," a documentary about US Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, is also nominated for an Oscar. Actor Mahershala Ali was present at the 91st Oscars Nominees Luncheon in Beverly Hills, California on February 4, 2019. The participant's films are connected with activism off-screen. For example, in the case of "Roma," the company collaborated with the National Domestic Workers Alliance to advocate for labor protections and also supported the introduction of an app that offers benefits to house cleaners, such as paid time off. Scott Budnick, who left his career producing comedies like "The Hangover" to champion prison reform, is also using compelling and commercially successful entertainment to drive change. Through his new company, One Community, he aims to raise $10 million for a year-long campaign leading up to the January 2020 release of the film "Just Mercy," a biographical drama featuring Michael B. Jordan as a lawyer working to free a man wrongly accused of murder. In an interview, Budnick stated that the campaign, set to launch in the next two months, aims to bring about changes on issues like the death penalty and juvenile sentencing. One Community, which is co-financing "Just Mercy" with AT&T Inc's Warner Bros., acts as a bridge between philanthropy, politics, and the entertainment industry. Julie Cohen and Betsy West from "RBG" were seen at a reception for Oscar-nominated documentary films in Los Angeles on February 19, 2019. Budnick noted that while many philanthropists and politicians focus on issues like poverty or homelessness, they are not always connected with major studios that spend millions of dollars to promote these causes to the public. "We are here to serve as that aligner," he stated. Macro, a production company dedicated to creating TV shows and movies that showcase diverse stories of people of color, is a co-producer of "Just Mercy." Previous successful films from Macro include the critically acclaimed "Fences" and "Mudbound." Founded by former talent agent Charles King, Macro is supported by organizations like the Ford Foundation, which contributed $5 million. "Shaping which narratives are shared, by whom, and from what perspective, is a powerful means of influencing the conversation in this country," said Cara Mertes, director of the Ford Foundation's JustFilms initiative. According to Budnick, the impact on social justice is significant for us. One Community, founded by Budnick, receives funding from different investors such as Endeavor Content and Philadelphia 76ers co-owner Michael Rubin. It operates as a company with a dual purpose of making profits and creating social change. Budnick mentioned that they are collaborating with social scientists to create measurements to assess their accomplishments. He also noted that this approach may not appeal to all investors. If an individual is seeking a tenfold return on their investment, they could turn to companies like Twitter, Uber, and Instagram, according to Budnick. However, the company in question is not focused on such high returns but rather on generating profit and making a positive impact.