The themes of the three Academy Awards contenders are intentional, as they were all produced and funded by Participant Media, a company dedicated to promoting social causes through film. Founded in 2004 by Jeff Skoll, the company has a diverse portfolio including documentaries like "An Inconvenient Truth" and dramas like "Lincoln" and "Spotlight". Participant Media's CEO David Linde explained that the company is drawn to stories of everyday individuals making a significant impact and inspiring change. Linde mentioned that "Roma" is a great example of a film distributed by Netflix Inc. The black-and-white drama follows Cleo, an indigenous Mexican housekeeper who shows bravery in the face of difficult situations. It will be competing for best picture at the Oscars against "Green Book," a Participant movie distributed by Comcast Corp's Universal Pictures about 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 Feb 4, 2019. "RBG," a documentary about US Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, is also nominated for best documentary. Actor Mahershala Ali was present at the 91st Oscars Nominees Luncheon in Beverly Hills, California on February 4, 2019. His movies are being paired with activism off-screen. For example, the company behind "Roma" has teamed up with the National Domestic Workers Alliance to advocate for labor protections and has supported the launch of an app that offers benefits to house cleaners, such as paid time off. Scott Budnick, who has shifted from producing comedies like "The Hangover" to advocating for prison reform, is also using compelling and commercially successful entertainment to drive change. His new company, One Community, is working to raise $10 million for a year-long campaign leading up to the release of the film "Just Mercy" in January 2020, which stars Michael B. Jordan as a lawyer fighting to free a wrongly convicted man. In an interview, Budnick stated that the upcoming campaign, set to begin in the next two months, will focus on issues like the death penalty and juvenile sentencing. One Community, co-financing "Just Mercy" with AT&T Inc's Warner Bros., aims to bridge the gap between philanthropy, politics, and the entertainment industry. Julie Cohen and Betsy West from "RBG" attended a reception for Oscar-nominated documentary films in Los Angeles on February 19, 2019. Budnick highlighted the importance of major studios aligning with philanthropic efforts to effectively address social issues. "We are here to be that aligner," he stated. Macro, a co-producer of "Just Mercy," is dedicated to creating TV shows and movies that showcase a diverse range of stories with people of color. Some of Macro's past successful films are "Fences" and "Mudbound." Charles King, a former talent agent, founded Macro and it is supported by organizations such as the Ford Foundation, which contributed $5 million. "Influencing which stories are shared, who tells them, and from what perspective, is a powerful way to alter the conversation in this country," explained Cara Mertes, director of the Ford Foundation initiative JustFilms. Budnick's One Community is seen by us as having a social justice impact, being funded by a range of investors such as Endeavor Content and Philadelphia 76ers co-owner Michael Rubin. The company is structured as a "double bottom line" entity, aiming to create both profits and social change. Executives are collaborating with social scientists to create measuring tools to assess the effectiveness of their initiatives. Budnick noted that this approach may not appeal to every investor. If an individual is seeking a 10x return on their investment, they might consider investing in companies like Twitter, Uber, or Instagram, according to Budnick. However, the company in question is not focused on such high returns but rather on making a profit and having a positive impact.