Skip to main content

Deep Dive: Activating a Generation (2017)

Film Lens

Activating a Generation
The documentary focuses on the impact of Live Aid, a concert held on July 13, 1985, aimed at raising funds for famine relief in Ethiopia. It discusses how rock star activists like Bob Geldof mobilized a generation of young donors by leveraging the power of music and celebrity. The concert took place simultaneously at Wembley Stadium in London and John F. Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, marking a significant moment in disaster fundraising and philanthropy. The film also examines the evolution of fundraising methods over the years, particularly the rise of social media as a tool for activism. It questions the effectiveness of modern fundraising efforts, such as the Ice Bucket Challenge, and emphasizes the need for coordinated efforts among various organizations to address complex global issues. Through personal anecdotes and historical context, the documentary shows the changing landscape of philanthropy from the 1980s to the present.

Why Watch

  • See how Live Aid transformed disaster fundraising.
  • Meet rock stars like Freddie Mercury and Madonna at Live Aid.
  • Find out why social media is changing philanthropy today.

Did You Know

Live Aid took place on July 13, 1985, at Wembley Stadium and John F. Kennedy Stadium.
Bob Geldof was inspired to organize Live Aid after a BBC broadcast about famine in Ethiopia.
The Christmas single recorded by Geldof became a smash hit and sold out quickly.
The Ice Bucket Challenge unexpectedly generated a significant amount of money for the ALS Association.

Perfect For

Music loversPhilanthropy enthusiastsSocial media advocates