Press Play Salt Lake City

A day of inspiring conversation, fruitful collaboration, and bold imagination.

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About Press Play

What's Press Play Salt Lake City?

Press Play Salt Lake City is a day-long gathering designed to spark cross-sector collaboration, explore and reimagine new forms of media, and bring storytellers and the public together to celebrate your community. Learn more here and Press Play on SLC with us!

We’ll gather for a panel, community-led breakouts, screenings, and a filmmaker Q&A. Press Play is a space to ask big questions, share knowledge, and make real connections across disciplines. 🎉

When is it? What's the schedule?

Friday September 18, 2026!

3:30pm check-in opens
4:00pm opening panel convo
What does it take to tell stories today?
Local doc filmmakers, video journalists and creators are finding new paths to get stories made, funded and seen, but distribution has changed and audience attention is scattered. We’ll look at what's actually working right now: hybrid funding models, festival routes that lead to audience reach & impact, nonprofit newsrooms using video to keep communities informed, and more — what does it take to tell stories today?
- Panelists: Jenny Mackenzie, Nicole Docta, Kelyn Ikegami
- Moderator: Russell Roots
5:00pm break out into facilitated community conversations
- Building trust with participants
  - Facilitators: Brannon Richardson, Logan Meyers
- Fact checking for filmmakers
  - Facilitators: Monica Wood, Kelyn Ikegami
- Fact checking for journalists
  - Facilitators: Marcie Young Cancio,
    Alex Carter
- Truth telling — sound bites, social dynamics and media literacy
  - Facilitators: Laura Durham, JR Hardman
- Grant writing & fiscal sponsorship 101
  - Facilitators: Mariah Mellus, DJ Markuson
- Breaking in - careers in nonfiction video
  - Facilitators: Whitney Skauge, Munashe Tanjani
- How to approach visuals creatively
  - Facilitators: Nicole Docta,
    Trevor Christensen
5:45pm break!
6:00pm short film screening + Q&A
- Filmmakers: Corey Lester, Marissa Lila, Trevor Christensen
- Moderator: Alex Vejar
7:15pm food, drinks, music
8:30pm that's a wrap!

Who is this for?

Press Play is a space to be seen, heard, and inspired — whether you consume the news or make it.

Storytellers: Journalists, documentary filmmakers, newsrooms, and storytellers of all kinds!

Community builders: Civic groups, activists, funders, local entities, and media allies looking to support community cohesion.

Everyone is invited! If you believe in the power of connection and want to be part of the solution, you belong at Press Play.

How is it being programmed?

The national Press Play tour is run by local-first global nonprofit Video Consortium (that's us!). Press Play SLC is co-hosted by Utah Film Center & Salt Lake Tribune along with support from our community partners: UFC's Artist Foundry, Spy Hop, Amplify Utah, The Plains, PBS Utah, and Utah Documentary Association.

Press Play is made possible by Knight Foundation, in addition to Sony and Rode.

What should I expect when I attend?

Come on your own, with a colleague, or with a friend. Everyone who's attending will have their own skillset and perspective, but what we all share is a desire to use media for good. We'll highlight what's working and what's changing across the media landscape while focusing heavily on video and innovation.

Come ready to have honest, collaborative, and solutions-focused conversations (and an empty stomach, as there will be great food).

Join us on September 18th by RSVPing here. Any follow up questions? Holler at us here.

SLC's Conversation Leaders: