Supporters . Press and Appearances
Bridge the Gap TV fosters intercultural dialogue by highlighting stories of everyday life from around the world on film. We offer new, enriching perspectives on regions of the world normally portrayed in a negative light in the media, and empower viewers with concrete steps to move the world forward.” Our team includes a UN Ambassador and an Emmy Award-winning humanitarian filmmaker.
About
The idea for Bridge the Gap spawned in 2007. For years Chris Bashinelli had been reading headlines about world hunger, human suffering and extreme poverty, when he finally decided to do something about it: he went to live in Tanzania for a month. Now, he’s leaving his middle-class American life behind to find out first-hand what life is like on the other side of the planet. Chris is traveling to developing regions worldwide, investigating the lives of young people the world over and trying to answer the ultimate question: “How can we change the world for the better?”
Bridge the Gap TV inspires the next generation with new perspectives from the developing world and fosters cross-cultural understanding. We create entertaining and educational content that gets Gen Y viewers excited about world change. In each episode Chris highlights practical ways viewers can move the world forward. We’ve already created exposure for organizations like the Peace Corps and the Millennium Promise. Now we hope to inspire thousands of volunteer hours, fundraise for dozens of nonprofits, and spark conversations among young people from diverse backgrounds.
The series is based on three simple principles:
“Entertain” viewers by immersing them in a new culture. Cultural immersion means that we look at development from the inside out, rather than as a foreigner. Chris lives, plays, and works side by side with nationals, to better understand what it’s really like to walk in someone else’s shoes. In order to understand or help people, we must first experience their world.
“Educate” our audience through interviews with influential political and social figures. This will enable us to better understand the challenges faced by individuals within each nation. Rather than just exploiting the same tired images of poverty, these interviews will help us understand the challenges faced by the people we meet along the way.
“Empower” our audience to be the change they wish to see in the world. The show goes much further than just exposing problems; we find practical ways viewers can make real change happen. Each episode connects viewers with non-profit opportunities ranging from microfinance, to volunteering, to charitable foundations.
Bridge the Gap does not only focus on the hardships of life in developing nations, such as unemployment, poverty and genocide. Instead we focus on stories of success, resilience and resourcefulness. The show will change the all-too-common perception of a poverty-stricken, hopeless existence in the developing world. Viewers who live well above their means may begin to gain an appreciation for privileges often taken for granted. Each episode is entertaining and informative and provides viewers with practical steps to get involved.
Praise for Bridge the Gap TV
“Bridge the Gap is a great idea and its need has never been greater.”
UN Ambassador Ombeni Sefue (Tanzania), Permanent Representative of Tanzania to the U.S
“Chris opens peoples’ eyes up to the different worlds in which we live and makes people think about things we in the developed world take for granted.”
Dr. Louise Leakey, Paleontologist & National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence
“Bridge the gap is entertaining, Gen Y-relevant and provides a personal, inspirational look into important global issues.”
Eva Wong, Producer, College Humor
“Your project is exciting and helpful to the people of our world.”
Princess and Ambassador Mbikusita-Lewanika (Zambia)
“Chris, you are an amazing person; your incredible energy and spirit was so refreshing and fantastic and the work you are doing is really incredible…You are spreading a great message to youth about working together to learn about new cultures and help change the world.”
Bethany Eriksen, Roots & Shoots Youth Leader, MA (16 years old)
“It’s important to Bridge the Gap!”
Dikembe Mutombo, Humanitarian, NBA Superstar
“The second I heard Chris’ story and his mission, I pledged to help him in any way that I could. Chris is a visionary and a passionate young man. Aside from working with Chris on a professional level, I would like to consider him my friend.”
Mr. Andrew K. Chilufya, Zambia Ministry of Tourism
“Bridge the Gap humanizes people and creates a real sense of connection between viewer and subject. Chris is a trailblazer in that he is able to entertain and educate simultaneously.”
Damian Wampler, Founder of Colony Magazine
“Chris has a one of a kind entrepreneurial spirit coupled with an overwhelming desire to be a positive influence for his generation.”
Alfred Hanssen, Former COO for Miracle Corners of the World
