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The Delegates

Sponsored Project

  • Katy Dierks, Director
  • James Agiesta, Producer
  • Jennifer Contreras, Producer
A candid photograph inside the United Nations General Assembly Hall captures two young delegates sharing a joyful moment between sessions. One student, wearing a black hijab, sits facing another delegate in a suit and conference lanyard, who is laughing openly. Around them, other students talk, move between seats, and prepare for proceedings, with microphones and the iconic General Assembly desks visible throughout the frame. The image captures the heart of The Delegates: young people participating in seri

About the Project

The Delegates is a feature documentary following international high school students as they journey to New York City to participate in the World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA) International Model United Nations conference. As they negotiate global challenges inside the United Nations, they also navigate something far more universal: friendship, identity, belonging, and finding their voice.

Through exclusive access, the film follows these young delegates beyond the speeches and committee sessions, capturing the friendships, cultural exchanges, pressures, humor, and formative moments that unfold along the way. They may be practicing diplomacy, but they're also teenagers experiencing a week of firsts that could shape who they become long after they leave New York.

The Delegates is moving toward production in 2027, with September Club backing the film as a creative partner through post-production and committing $50,000 in initial production financing. With this foundation in place, tax-deductible contributions through IDA directly support the next stages of production, from following our delegates and their families around the world to putting our crew and cameras on the ground in New York.

Every contribution directly impacts our ability to spend more time with these young people, capture their stories with the care they deserve, and bring The Delegates to audiences around the world.

About the Team:

Katy Dierks — Director
Katy Dierks is an Emmy Award-winning producer and longtime unscripted television showrunner whose work includes Science Fair: The Series, The Jim Jefferies Show, and Kitchen Nightmares. The Delegates marks her feature documentary directorial debut.

Jennifer Contreras — Producer
Jennifer Contreras is a producer with more than two decades of experience in documentary and unscripted television, with a background in journalism and photography. A former Model UN participant and volunteer, Jennifer brings a personal connection to the program and the young people at the heart of the film.

James Agiesta — Producer
James Agiesta is a producer and director with more than 15 years of experience across documentary and unscripted television. His feature documentary work includes This Is Wrestling, winner of Best Documentary at the IFS Film Festival.