Set against one of the most consequential labor moments in recent U.S. history, Who Moves America, directed by Yael Bridge, makes its World Premiere at the True/False Film Fest 2026, offering an intimate and urgent portrait of the UPS Teamsters’ historic contract fight. The 87-minute documentary captures the tension and determination surrounding negotiations that could have led to an unprecedented strike involving 340,000 UPS workers, a moment with the potential to disrupt global supply chains and reshape conversations around labor power in America. The premiere screening takes place Friday, March 6 at 6:45 pm at The Picturehouse, with filmmaker Yael Bridge and participants in attendance, followed by additional festival screenings throughout the weekend.
Inside a Defining Labor Moment
UPS operates as the world’s largest package delivery company, moving millions of packages daily across more than 200 countries and territories. As the company’s 2023 labor contract approached expiration, pressure intensified between workers and corporate leadership, placing the future of working conditions, wages, and job security at the center of national attention. Who Moves America follows workers across the United States as they organize, debate, and prepare for what could become the largest strike in modern labor history. Through a vérité storytelling approach, the film introduces audiences to a diverse group of workers, including a new driver in California, a veteran of the 1997 strike in New York, and a part-time warehouse employee in Kentucky balancing college alongside multiple jobs. Their personal stories reveal how large-scale economic decisions are shaped by individual lives, sacrifices, and collective action.
Democracy in Action on the Shop Floor
As negotiations unfold and a tentative agreement emerges, the film captures a critical moment of uncertainty. Workers must decide whether to accept the proposed contract or reject it and risk shutting down operations nationwide. The documentary highlights the complexity of solidarity, showing how union democracy functions in real time as members vote, debate, and confront the realities of collective bargaining. Because the UPS contract represents the largest collective bargaining agreement in North America, the outcome carries implications far beyond one company, touching industries, supply chains, and workers’ rights across the country.
A Filmmaking Team Rooted in Documentary Excellence
Directed and produced by Emmy-nominated filmmaker Yael Bridge, the film reflects her longstanding commitment to exploring social and political issues through human-centered storytelling. Bridge’s previous feature, The Big Scary “S” Word, examined the resurgence of socialism in the United States and premiered at Hot Docs before being acquired by Hulu. She has also produced award-recognized projects including Classroom 4, Left on Purpose, and the Emmy-nominated Netflix documentary Saving Capitalism. Producers Jeremy Flood, Yoni Golijov, and Mars Verrone bring extensive experience across political, labor, and documentary filmmaking, strengthening the project’s grounded perspective and authenticity.
Crafting an Intimate and Urgent Visual Language
The film’s editorial and visual approach reinforces its immediacy. Editing by Thomas Niles, whose work has been recognized at Sundance, Cannes, and Hot Docs, shapes the narrative into a tense and emotionally engaging experience. Cinematography by Erick Stoll, known for his work on labor-focused stories and the Academy Award-winning American Factory, captures both the scale of union mobilization and the quiet personal moments that define the workers’ journeys. Music by Osei Essed and Santiago Arias-Rozo adds emotional texture, supporting a storytelling style that feels immersive without losing journalistic clarity.
Built Through Collaboration and Community Support
Who Moves America was developed with support from the Sundance Institute Producers Program and presented at industry forums including DOCNYC Pro Conference and the Hot Docs Pitch Forum. The project is a co-production between Sidereal Time LLC and ITVS, with funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and additional support from organizations such as the Berkeley Film Foundation, Brown Girls Doc Mafia, the International Documentary Association, and the NYC Women’s Fund for Media, Music and Theatre. These partnerships reflect a shared commitment to stories that explore systemic change through personal narratives.
A Timely Reflection on Work, Power, and Collective Voice
More than a film about one contract negotiation, Who Moves America becomes a portrait of workers reclaiming agency within an evolving economic landscape. By placing audiences alongside those whose labor keeps global systems moving, the documentary highlights the human dimension behind headlines about supply chains and corporate negotiations. As conversations around labor rights and economic equity continue to grow, the film offers a timely reminder that history is often shaped not only in boardrooms but also by ordinary people organizing together for change.
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