Our Story
Common Ground Films is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating films that elevate untold stories and foster empathy through ethical, human-centered storytelling. We produce work that bridges divides and brings people together through shared experiences.
Who we are
Telling Stories That Matter
Common Ground Films, Inc., is an Indiana nonprofit, public benefit corporation, under the Indiana Nonprofit Corporation Act. Its primary purposes include providing and promoting education and training in the arts, including, but not limited to, the field of person-based filmmaking, navigating the ethics of story-driven filmmaking, and finding common ground with people of different backgrounds. Common Ground Films seeks to develop, fund, promote, produce, and make films featuring individuals whose life experiences, physical/mental ability, views, achievements, and missions do not fit completely within a single social, educational, or economic category, and who otherwise would not have their stories documented.
Common Ground Films is organized and operated exclusively for charitable and educational purposes. We are in the process of seeking, 501(c)(3) recognition. We anticipate qualifying for 501(c)(3) recognition and that contributions to it will qualify as deductions under Section 170(c)(2), Section 2055(a)(2) and Section 2522 of the Internal Revenue Code.
Are You Ready to Explore More?
Join us on a journey through powerful stories that connect people across backgrounds and experiences. Explore our current films, meet the voices behind the stories, and discover how you can support our mission to foster empathy and understanding through ethical storytelling.
Films with Purpose
We tell stories that matter — focusing on individuals whose voices are often overlooked. Through powerful films, we aim to inspire empathy, understanding, and social change.
Ethical Storytelling
We approach filmmaking with care, compassion, and a deep respect for the people whose stories we share — always mindful of the impact our films can have.
Untold Stories Revealed
Every community holds remarkable stories. We seek out and document human experiences that challenge assumptions, celebrate resilience, and foster connection.
Creating Common Ground
Through person-centered films, we build bridges across a wide range of experiences — helping audiences find empathy and understanding in unexpected places.
Beyond Vision
What We Do
We develop and produce films that elevate overlooked voices, promote ethical storytelling, and inspire meaningful conversations. Our goal is to build common ground through powerful, human-centered narratives.
Board of Directors
BOARD MEMBER
Mitch Hannon
For over 15 years, Mitch has been passionate about creating content that brings metropolitan quality to small town stories. He has directed films for corporations, universities and nonprofits about topics such as morality in capitalism, land rehabilitation on family farms, and building positive relationships between police and children in poor areas.
BOARD MEMBER
Chelsea Sanders
A serial entrepreneur, Chelsea has started and run several businesses built around empowering individuals to bring their best to their communities. On the community front, she ran a women’s empowerment conference for several years, and on the corporate side she started a visual communication company, Blueline, which is entering its third decade.
BOARD MEMBER
Kevin Weaver
An award-winning filmmaker, Kevin has spent his career ensuring that otherwise-untold stories would reach a broad audience. Throughout his many filmmaking projects, he brings a passion for building a strong community of ethical creators by mentoring his film crews and teaching cinema editing at Indiana University.
BOARD MEMBER
Tucker Gragg
Leading with a person-first approach to storytelling, Tucker’s documentary subjects span from blinded veterans navigating mountain streams to elementary-age students making their own soccer balls in the plains of Africa. He is an expert at showing the human side of folks from all walks of life, helping viewers connect emotionally to people in completely different circumstances.
BOARD MEMBER
Dave Shelton
Dave Shelton is a lifelong athlete and business leader who played on Indiana University’s 1976 NCAA Finalist soccer team before competing professionally with the LA Aztecs alongside legends like Johan Cruyff. His career spanned global leadership roles in technology and consulting. Today, he helps bring stories of resilience to life through Common Ground Films, a nonprofit he helped launch to inspire hope, courage, and connection through documentary storytelling—most recently following Lonnie Bedwell’s historic quest to complete the Explorer’s Grand Slam.