Elevate Studios Confirms Nevertheless Docuseries Season Two with Bold New Focus on Defenders of Democracy, Freedom & Civil Liberties
Announced during the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, Nevertheless: Democracy Defenders will showcase those fighting amidst growing disinformation and a rising threat to human rights around the world.
CANNES, France, June 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Elevate Prize Foundation, a global nonprofit on a mission to Make Good Famous, announced today that its Nevertheless docuseries is returning for a second season. Building on the success of its first season spotlighting female changemakers, season two will explore the urgent, global effort to protect democracy and freedom – featuring powerful stories of four Elevate Prize winners who are rising to meet this pivotal moment.
Speaking at the World Woman Cannes Agenda during the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, the Elevate Prize Foundation's Chief Marketing Officer, Eva Bloomfield, confirmed production is already underway, led by the foundation's storytelling and production arm, Elevate Studios.
"Season two of Nevertheless comes at a moment when hard-won freedoms are being rolled back in real time – from the silencing of journalists to the erosion of civil liberties," said Eva Bloomfield, Chief Marketing Officer of the Elevate Prize Foundation. "This series doesn't just bear witness to those cracks in democracy; it gives a platform to the extraordinary individuals filling the gaps with resistance, resilience, and vision. These are the kinds of stories that don't just inform – they mobilize. They capture the heart, urgency, and moral clarity of Elevate Prize winners who are defending human rights, civil society, and the truth itself."
Told through interviews, behind-the-scenes footage, and intimate moments of resilience and resistance, the second season – Nevertheless: Democracy Defenders – will examine what it means to lead with courage in a time of growing polarization, threats to civil liberties, and democratic backsliding around the world. Directed by Ramy and Sharra Romany of Romany Films and executive produced by Bloomfield, the full season is slated to debut next year on the foundation's YouTube channel.
Each episode will center on a recipient of the Elevate Prize, an annual award that provides social entrepreneurs and changemakers with the funding, visibility, and resources needed to scale their impact. This season will focus on four leaders who are challenging systems, shaping policy, and mobilizing movements to protect democratic values around the world. Those to be featured include:
- Koketso Moeti of amandla.mobi in Johannesburg, South Africa, who empowers communities to hold power to account through mobile activism.
- Imran Ahmedof the Center for Countering Digital Hate in Washington, D.C., who works globally to combat online disinformation and extremism.
- Yordanos Eyoel of Keseb in Boston, MA, which is building a vibrant civil society ecosystem to advance inclusive and resilient democracies globally.
- Hannah Friedof All Voting is Local in Washington, D.C., who advances voting rights and equitable access to the ballot across the United States.
Today's announcement follows the successful debut of the first season, Nevertheless: The Women Changing the World, which aired earlier this year, garnered over 2.4 million views, and featured Teresa Njoroge (Clean Start Africa), Cindy Eggleton (Brilliant Cities), and Dr. Aparna Hegde (ARMMAN). Njoroge joined Bloomfield on stage at the World Woman Cannes Agenda along with Tim Chau, Co-Founder and CEO of Impact Media and Anna Sitar, TikTok creator (@annaxsitar) and digital storyteller. The session explored how digital platforms are transforming the way we amplify women's voices, build community, claim space, and shape culture.
"The overwhelming response to our first season confirmed what we suspected: people are hungry for stories that don't just inspire – they ignite change," said Carolina García Jayaram, CEO of the Elevate Prize Foundation. "We are living in a time in which upholding democratic values is essential and a responsibility we all share. At Elevate, we are doubling down on storytelling that doesn't flinch – stories told by those risking everything to make the world better for all of us."
The new season continues Elevate Studios' mission to amplify purpose-driven narratives and cultivate cultural and social change through media. Launched in 2025, Elevate Studios was created to spotlight purposeful stories, invest in bold storytellers, and elevate the visibility of social impact leaders across media platforms.
About the Elevate Prize Foundation
Founded in 2019 by businessman and philanthropist Joseph Deitch, the Elevate Prize Foundation is a global nonprofit on a mission to Make Good Famous. To ensure lasting impact, the organization is committed to bringing visibility to the work of changemakers and inspiring audiences on an international scale. The foundation's signature program is its annual Elevate Prize, which is awarded to 10 global leaders tackling pressing issues in innovative ways. The Elevate Prize Catalyst Award, another one of the foundation's programs, recognizes prominent individuals for their commitment to inspiring global social action and using their influence for the good of humanity. The foundation also operates the Elevate Prize GET LOUD Award, a monthly grant to fuel grassroots movements and organizers on the frontlines committed to collective action and building power among communities. The foundation's latest endeavor, Elevate Studios, was launched in 2025 to finance and distribute purpose-driven content. For more information, visit www.elevateprize.org and follow @ElevatePrize on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and LinkedIn.
Media Contact
Erin Mulholland, 484.753.4384, erin.mulholland@edelman.com
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SOURCE The Elevate Prize Foundation