Best Day Ever Foundation Premieres The Gravity of Kindness, a New Short Film Exploring the Ripple Effects of Kindness

July 7, 2026 – Austin, Texas — What if one act of kindness could change far more than a single day? That's the question at the heart of The Gravity of Kindness, the first original short documentary film from Austin-based nonprofit Best Day Ever Foundation, premiering August 19 at Austin Film Society Cinema.

The premiere will feature two public screenings at 6:05 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., followed by a live panel and Q&A featuring U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame inductee and film narrator Joe Tanner, director Rhett Brennan, Best Day Ever Foundation Founder and CEO Matt Worthington, and several individuals whose stories are featured in the film.

The Gravity of Kindness follows the real stories of Austinites and others across the country whose lives are transformed through unexpected acts of kindness—including an Austin family working to keep their restaurant alive, an 11-year-old girl whose own experience of kindness inspires her to give back, and community members overcoming extraordinary personal challenges. From moments of profound hardship to unexpected generosity, the film reveals how ordinary people become part of one another's stories in ways they never imagined.

"We hope this film changes the way people see kindness," said Worthington. "Too often, we think of kindness as a nice gesture or a single moment. But what we've witnessed time and time again is that one act of kindness doesn't just change the life of the person receiving it—it changes the person giving it, the people witnessing it, and everyone touched by its ripple effects. Our hope is that audiences leave the theater not just inspired, but asking themselves, 'Who can I show up for next?'"

"One of the biggest lessons I learned during my years at NASA is that kindness isn't optional—it's essential," said Tanner. "Today, one of the primary qualities NASA looks for in astronauts is the ability to be part of a team. If you can't genuinely care about the people around you, you won't succeed. The same is true here on Earth." Recently inducted into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame, Tanner flew four Space Shuttle missions and completed seven spacewalks during his distinguished NASA career. Having seen Earth as one interconnected world, he brings a unique perspective to The Gravity of Kindness, exploring why we need one another and how kindness binds us together.

Known for sharing uplifting stories that have reached more than 100 million people across digital platforms, Best Day Ever Foundation created The Gravity of Kindness as a natural extension of its storytelling mission to inspire more people to choose kindness in their own communities.

Tickets for the August 19 premiere are now available. For tickets and sponsorship opportunities, visit thebestdayever.org/premiere.