This is the only festival dedicated to the exciting new movement using digital games for social change. The Games for Change Festival brings together non-profits, game designers, foundations and academics from across the U.S. and overseas to explore best practices for social issue gaming, successful distribution models, and more. It will be a chance to discuss industry partnership opportunities, with ample networking and resource sharing possibilities. Speakers include James Paul Gee, Mary Lou Fulton Professor of Literacy Studies at Arizona State University and author of What Video Games Have to Teach Us About Literacy and Learning); Henry Jenkins, Director of the MIT Comparative Media Studies Program; and The Honorable Justice Sandra Day O’Connor.

On June 2nd, there is a special day-long workshop for nonprofit organizations on the basics of social issue game design - "Let the Games Begin: 101 Workshop on Making Social Issue Games." This 101 workshop is free of charge, but a brief online application is required (space is limited). Visit gamesforchange.org for more information.