State of Pride takes an unflinching look at the significance of Pride 50 years after the historic Stonewall Riots. Directed by Academy Award-winning filmmakers Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman in collaboration with digital studio Portal A and Creator Raymond Brun, the documentary brings to life a diverse range of LGBTQ+ perspectives as they reflect on the meaning of Pride through intimate and honest interviews led by Braun.
The objective of the project was to investigate the importance of Pride to a generation that wasn’t alive during its origins. In asking what Pride means to young people today, the film sought to expand our understanding of Pride and ultimately renew its significance.
The film’s success relied heavily on its ability to leverage talent influence and own a cultural conversation at the perfect moment.
On the talent side, the film centered around Raymond Braun, one of the most well-respected LGBTQ+ activists on social media whose influence goes far beyond his subscriber numbers. We also partnered with pop icon Troye Sivan to bring his music to the project and perform two pieces that bookended the project.
The timing of the film’s release could not have been better and put it at the center of a conversation happening in the press and on social. The official YouTube release in late May was followed up by a series of screenings around the country, culminating in a screening at the Castro Theater in San Francisco on the exact anniversary of Stonewall.
The film’s success was reflected in its critical claim, the buzz on social and in the press, and in its ultimate performance on YouTube Originals.
In March, State of Pride was given the honor of screening opening night at the SXSW Film Festival and was lauded as one of the most anticipated films headed into the festival by The Wrap. The press exploded from there, with the project being covered across industry and consumer press including Variety, Out Magazine, and TIME and Raymond appearing on a host of talk shows including Morning Joe a and Good Morning America.
The film was viewed over 800,000 times on YouTube Originals, making it one of its most successful documentary releases to date and bringing its message of equality and inclusivity to a massive global audience.
