Diplomacy Through Film: Cynthia Wade and The Flagmakers

On January 23, 2025, the USC Center on Public Diplomacy, in partnership with the American Film Showcase, will host Diplomacy Through Film: Cynthia Wade and The Flagmakers, as part of its Stroum Arts & Diplomacy Series.

This presentation delves into the powerful intersection of storytelling, culture, and diplomacy, showcasing The Flagmakers, a film Cynthia Wade presented in Serbia in 2024 through the U.S. Department of State's program American Film Showcase. The event will feature Oscar-winning and Emmy-winning director Cynthia Wade, renowned for her work in documentaries, fiction, and commercials. Wade brings a distinctive perspective on how film can serve as a diplomatic tool to foster understanding and meaningful connections across cultures.

Cynthia Wade will share her experiences engaging with Serbian audiences, reflecting on the broader impact of storytelling in shaping identity, resilience, and global dialogue. Clips from The Flagmakers will be featured, highlighting how storytelling promotes cultural exchange and international conversation through the medium of cinema.

Join us on campus for this enriching session to discover how film can bridge divides and strengthen global relationships.

About Cynthia Wade

Cynthia Wade is an acclaimed American director, producer, and cinematographer specializing in documentaries, commercials, and fiction films. Based in New York City, she has earned over 50 prestigious awards worldwide, including an Academy Award for Freeheld (2008), an Academy Award nomination for Mondays at Racine (2013), an Emmy for The Flagmakers (2023), and an Emmy nomination for Grit (2020).

Wade’s work often focuses on compelling social issues, with standout documentaries such as Shelter Dogs (2003), exploring animal welfare, and Freeheld (2007), highlighting LGBT rights. She has also directed television commercials and web campaigns, seamlessly blending her storytelling expertise into both creative and commercial endeavors.

A member of the Directors Guild of America (DGA) and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), Wade holds a Master’s degree in Documentary Film Production from Stanford University. 

About Cynthia Stroum

A native of Seattle, Cynthia Stroum earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Relations and Journalism from the University of Southern California.   After several years working in public relations and in the television industry Cynthia began building a personal investment portfolio as an angel investor in over twenty successful technology, biotechnology and retail start-up companies, Starbucks Coffee Company being one of them.  Cynthia made her producing debut with the highly acclaimed 2004 Broadway production of A Raisin in the Sun (starring Sean Combs). Additional nominated productions have included Come From Away, Network (starring Bryan Cranston), Burn This (starring Adam Driver), Fat Ham and most recently winning a Tony Award for the 2023 Broadway revival of Parade (starring Ben Platt). Cynthia has also served on local and national boards over the last 40 years with a focus on politics, the arts and philanthropy. Her greatest honor, however, was serving as the 20th Ambassador of the United States of America to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg 2009-2011 under President Barack Obama.