The themes found in the three Academy Awards contenders were carefully chosen by Participant Media, a company known for producing socially conscious films. Founded in 2004 by Jeff Skoll, Participant has been behind a wide range of successful movies, from documentaries like "An Inconvenient Truth" to historical dramas like "Lincoln" and award-winning films like "Spotlight". According to Participant Media's CEO David Linde, the company is drawn to stories of ordinary individuals making a difference and inspiring change. Linde mentioned that "Roma" is a notable example of a film. The black-and-white movie, distributed by Netflix Inc, centers around Cleo, an indigenous Mexican housekeeper who shows bravery in difficult situations. It will be competing for the best picture at the Oscars against "Green Book," a film by Participant released by Comcast Corp's Universal Pictures, which tells the story of a black pianist on a 1962 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, the documentary "RBG," focusing on US Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, is nominated for best documentary. Actor Mahershala Ali was seen at the 91st Oscars Nominees Luncheon in Beverly Hills, California on February 4, 2019. His involvement in movies is often connected to activism off-screen. For example, the film "Roma" partnered with the National Domestic Workers Alliance to advocate for labor rights and supported the creation of an app that offers benefits to house cleaners, such as paid time off. Scott Budnick, who left producing comedies like "The Hangover" to focus on prison reform, is also using compelling and commercially successful entertainment to drive change. His company, One Community, is working to raise $10 million for a campaign centered around the release of the film "Just Mercy" in January 2020, which stars Michael B. Jordan as a lawyer fighting to free an innocent man convicted of murder. According to Budnick, the upcoming campaign will focus on issues like the death penalty and juvenile sentencing and is expected to launch within the next two months. One Community, which is co-financing "Just Mercy" with Warner Bros. and AT&T Inc., aims to bridge the gap between philanthropy and politics within the entertainment industry. Julie Cohen and Betsy West from "RBG" were seen at a reception for Oscar-nominated documentary films in Los Angeles on Feb 19, 2019. Budnick emphasized the importance of major studios aligning with philanthropists and politicians to effectively address social issues to the public. "We aim to be the force that brings things into alignment," he stated. Macro, a production company responsible for "Just Mercy," is dedicated to creating a diverse range of TV shows and movies that highlight people of color. Previous successful films from Macro include "Fences" and "Mudbound." Founded by Charles King, a former talent agent, Macro receives funding from various organizations, such as the Ford Foundation which contributed $5 million. According to Cara Mertes, director of the Ford Foundation's JustFilms initiative, influencing which stories are told, who tells them, and from what perspective can have a significant impact on changing the national conversation. Budnick's One Community, funded by a range of investors such as Endeavor Content and Philadelphia 76ers co-owner Michael Rubin, aims to have a social justice impact. The company operates with a "double bottom line" approach, seeking to both generate profits and drive social change. Executives are collaborating with social scientists to create metrics for measuring success, although Budnick acknowledges that this framework may not appeal to every investor. According to Budnick, if an individual is seeking a return of 10 times their investment, they could invest in companies like Twitter, Uber, or Instagram. However, this company is focused on generating profits and creating a significant impact.