Rising Voices Now Streaming: Indeed’s Acclaimed Short Film Series Hits Hulu and Kanopy
- Jordan Kelley
- Jun 12
- 3 min read
Jordan P. Kelley, Director of Content, BrandStorytelling
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Starting today, all four seasons of Indeed Rising Voices are officially available to stream on Hulu and Kanopy. The rollout marks a major milestone for a celebrated brand-funded storytelling initiative that has steadily grown from a bold idea into a cornerstone of opportunity, representation, and cultural impact in the independent film space.
Rising Voices is Indeed’s short film program created in partnership with Emmy Award-winner Lena Waithe’s Hillman Grad Productions and production partner 271 Films. Launched to address a lack of access for underrepresented creators, the initiative backs ten BIPOC filmmakers each season to create original short films that explore work, identity, and the future of possibility. Now, with Season 5 having just premiered at the 2025 Tribeca Festival, the program’s earlier seasons are more accessible than ever, bringing powerful storytelling and career-changing opportunity to screens everywhere.
In a media landscape where one can often see the seams of brand involvement in entertainment, Rising Voices is a well-crafted program inside and out. Much more than a passive sponsorship or brand integration, It’s a quality example of brand storytelling executed with full buy-in from executive leadership, elevated through deep collaboration with partners who understand the culture and craft of filmmaking. From development to distribution, Rising Voices is built to be both meaningful and watchable - a collection of entertaining, human stories that resonate on their own terms while furthering Indeed’s mission to make the world of work more equitable.
Across its first four seasons, Rising Voices has helped produce 40 short films and has generated thousands of jobs throughout the filmmaking ecosystem, supporting not just directors, but emerging producers, cinematographers, editors, and crew. The result is a growing alumni network of talent who now have credits, contacts, and a platform to build from.
Now streaming on Hulu, Rising Voices gains a home on one of the world’s leading platforms for premium content. Hulu’s broad reach gives these filmmakers a chance to connect with audiences across the country, while also helping the industry discover the next generation of cinematic voices. Whether viewers are searching for inspiring storytelling, compelling new talent, or just great short films, Rising Voices delivers.
For those looking for a free, ad-free alternative, the series is also streaming on Kanopy. With just a library card, viewers can access all four seasons via participating public libraries and educational institutions. Kanopy’s thoughtful, curated catalog is a natural fit for the series, offering another way for audiences to engage with films that matter.
The streaming rollout began with Season 1 on May 22nd, followed by weekly releases of Seasons 2 through 4. As of today, all four seasons are available to stream in full on both platforms.
In a cultural moment where conversations around diversity, inclusion, and the future of work remain urgent, Rising Voices offers more than a timely response. It offers a roadmap. By investing in storytellers and building infrastructure that helps their voices break through, Indeed has created a model for how brands can contribute meaningfully to culture, and make something people enjoy watching in the process.
About Jordan P. Kelley
Jordan P. Kelley is a branded content trend watcher and thought leader, serving as BrandStorytelling's Content Director and curating the festival portion of BrandStorytelling: a Sanctioned Event of Sundance Film Festival. A Forbes contributor, Kelley co-produces The BrandStorytelling Podcast 'Content That Moves' as well as various video series for the BrandStorytelling YouTube Channel.
