The Moving Picture Institute (MPI) is an American

non-profit organization A nonprofit organization (NPO), also known as a nonbusiness entity, nonprofit institution, not-for-profit organization, or simply a nonprofit, is a non-governmental (private) legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public, or so ...

and

film production Filmmaking or film production is the process by which a Film, motion picture is produced. Filmmaking involves a number of complex and discrete stages, beginning with an initial story, idea, or commission. Production then continues through screen ...

company founded in 2005 by Thor Halvorssen. MPI's films focus on human freedoms. The organization's president is Rob Pfaltzgraff.

Mission and purpose

MPI describes itself as "a production company and talent incubator that creates high-impact films designed to entertain, inspire, and educate audiences with captivating stories about human freedom." MPI's states its films typically center on concepts such as human rights and individual freedoms, and governmental waste and

corruption Corruption is a form of dishonesty or a criminal offense that is undertaken by a person or an organization that is entrusted in a position of authority to acquire illicit benefits or abuse power for one's gain. Corruption may involve activities ...

. Halvorssen said to ''

The New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''NYT'') is an American daily newspaper based in New York City. ''The New York Times'' covers domestic, national, and international news, and publishes opinion pieces, investigative reports, and reviews. As one of ...

'' "A film can reach a lot more people than a white paper ..What ''

Sideways ''Sideways'' is a 2004 American comedy-drama directed by Alexander Payne and written by Jim Taylor and Payne. A film adaptation of Rex Pickett's 2004 novel, ''Sideways'' follows two men in their forties, Miles Raymond ( Paul Giamatti), a de ...

'' did for

Pinot noir Pinot noir (), also known as Pinot nero, is a red-wine grape variety of the species ''Vitis vinifera''. The name also refers to wines created predominantly from Pinot noir grapes. The name is derived from the French language, French words fo ...

, I want to do for freedom." According to a June 2025 article in ''The Wall Street Journal'', MPI "has produced a string of successful indie movies with libertarian themes." '' Pinball: The Man Who Saved the Game'' (2022) is based on the true story of a journalist-turned-pinball player who in 1976 helped overturn New York City's 35-year ban on pinball. The film, which starred Mike Faist, won several film festival awards and was well received by critics. MPI also produced ''Freedom Hair'', a true story about a woman whose hair braiding studio in Mississippi runs into trouble due to state licensing laws.

Major productions

MPI is involved in the production and promotion of the following narrative and documentary films:

References

External links

* {{Coord, 40.7195, N, 74.0101, W, display=title Non-profit organizations based in New York City Film production companies of the United States