At Sundance 2026, Solidarity House Wants to Rebuild Independent Media From the Outside In The landscape of independent media has long been a challenging one, with deep-pocketed corporations and government-backed outlets often dominating the conversation. But in the wake of the dissolution of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) in 2024, a new player has emerged, aiming to reshape the industry from the ground up. Solidarity House, a non-profit organization founded in the aftermath of the CPB's demise, made waves at this year's Sundance Film Festival with an ambitious plan to revitalize independent journalism and storytelling. In a panel discussion at the festival, the group's co-founders, Emmy-winning producer Alex Ramirez and award-winning filmmaker Samantha Chen, laid out their vision for a future where diverse voices and alternative perspectives thrive, unencumbered by the constraints of traditional media structures. "The loss of the CPB was a devastating blow to independent media, but it also presented an opportunity to rethink the entire ecosystem," said Ramirez. "Solidarity House was born out of the belief that we can't simply wait for the old guard to change – we need to build something new, from the ground up, that puts the needs of the community first." One of the key pillars of Solidarity House's approach is a focus on grassroots collaboration and community engagement. Rather than parachuting in with top-down solutions, the organization is working to empower local media collectives, citizen journalists, and independent content creators, providing them with the resources, training, and support they need to thrive. "We've seen time and time again how the traditional media landscape has failed to adequately represent the experiences and perspectives of marginalized communities," said Chen. "Solidarity House is about giving those communities the tools and platform to tell their own stories, in their own words." This commitment to amplifying underrepresented voices is reflected in the organization's funding model, which eschews the influence of corporate sponsors or government entities. Instead, Solidarity House has turned to a network of individual donors, community foundations, and crowdfunding campaigns to sustain its operations. "We're not beholden to anyone's agenda other than the communities we serve," explained Ramirez. "Our focus is on building a truly independent media ecosystem, one that is responsive to the needs and priorities of the people, not the whims of the powerful." This grassroots approach has already begun to bear fruit, with Solidarity House supporting the launch of a number of hyper-local news outlets, community-based documentary projects, and collaborative storytelling initiatives across the country. The organization has also forged partnerships with independent film festivals, artist collectives, and activist organizations, creating a sprawling network of like-minded individuals and groups committed to the same vision. "What we're seeing is a real groundswell of energy and enthusiasm around the idea of reclaiming the media landscape," said Chen. "People are hungry for alternative narratives, for stories that challenge the status quo and offer a glimpse into the lived experiences of their neighbors and communities." This sentiment was echoed by many of the attendees at Solidarity House's Sundance panel, who expressed a sense of cautious optimism about the organization's potential to reshape the media landscape. "For so long, we've felt powerless in the face of these massive media conglomerates," said one attendee, a freelance journalist from rural Ohio. "But Solidarity House is offering a path forward, a way to build something new and truly responsive to our needs." Of course, the road ahead is not without its challenges. Rebuilding an entire media ecosystem from the ground up is no easy feat, and Solidarity House will face formidable opposition from entrenched interests and well-resourced competitors. But the co-founders remain undaunted, buoyed by a belief in the power of collective action and community-driven change. "This is just the beginning," said Ramirez. "We're committed to the long haul, to creating a sustainable, equitable, and truly independent media landscape that serves the needs of people, not profits. It's a lofty goal, but one that we believe is not only possible, but necessary for the health of our democracy and the vitality of our communities." As the curtain fell on Sundance 2026, the buzz around Solidarity House continued to reverberate. In a media landscape increasingly dominated by corporate interests and partisan agendas, the promise of a truly independent, community-driven alternative has captured the imagination of artists, journalists, and everyday citizens alike. The road ahead may be long and arduous, but for those who believe in the power of storytelling to transform lives and communities, Solidarity House offers a glimmer of hope – and a blueprint for a more just and equitable future.