Description

Penn’s Seed: The Awakening is a documentary about the life and legacy of William Penn, an early advocate of religious freedom and democracy.

​This film explores the historical contribution of Penn to the foundation of the United States, but more importantly explores how the latent legacy of Penn’s commitment to global peace and religious freedom is emerging in both national and global contexts.

William Penn (1644 –1718) was an English real estate entrepreneur, philosopher, and early Quaker. King Charles II handed over a large piece of his American land holdings to Penn, land which included present-day Pennsylvania and Delaware. Penn developed and planned the city of Philadelphia and founded what became the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

​The principles he set forth in crafting the framework of Pennsylvania’s government served as an inspiration for the United States Constitution. Unlike many others, Penn developed deep relationships and successful treaties with the Native American Lenni Lenape tribe.

​As Penn's vision reappears prominently on the world stage, Global Story Films captures stories in multiple countries. Blending captivating storytelling and interviews with Native Americans, politicians, historians and world leaders, the filmmakers bring the story of William Penn and his “Holy Experiment” to life.