CHICAGO, IL--(Marketwired - April 08, 2016) -  Eric Lefkofsky, co-founder and Managing Director of Lightbank, and his wife Liz have provided funding for 'The Mask You Live In,' a film that explores American perceptions of gender. Produced by The Representation Project, the film follows young boys as they struggle to stay true to themselves by conforming to America's narrow definition of masculinity.

The Representation Project was founded by Jennifer Siebel Newsom in 2011 after receiving overwhelming response from her first feature film, 'Miss Representation.' Similar to 'The Mask You Live In,' the documentary focuses on female representation of American women in the media. The non-profit The Representation Project is dedicated to creating a world free of gender stereotypes for children and young adults. Liz and Eric Lefkofsky are supporting the film through their Lefkofsky Family Foundation.

'The Mask You Live In' explores themes of masculinity within pop culture, the school playground, the office work space and peer groups. Written and directed by Newsom, it includes interviews with neuroscientists, psychologists and sociologists who all offer their evidence on how social expectations can negatively affect boys in early development.

Since its debut at the Sundance Film Festival last year, more than 1,000 copies of 'The Mask You Live In' have been distributed to schools across the country. The film is now available for purchase or streaming through iTunes, Amazon, Google Play, Vudu, CinemaNow, Vimeo On Demand and Netflix.

About Lefkofsky Family Foundation
The Lefkofsky Family Foundation is a private charitable foundation that was established in 2006 by Liz and Eric Lefkofsky. The purpose of the Lefkofsky Family Foundation is to advance high-impact programs, initiatives and research that enhance the quality of human life in the communities we serve. To achieve this mission, the Foundation strives to: ensure access to quality education; improve fundamental human rights; propel innovative medical research; and expand cultural initiatives. For more information on the Lefkofsky Family Foundation, visit: http://lefkofskyfoundation.com

About Eric Lefkofsky
 Eric Lefkofsky is the co-founder and Managing Director of Lightbank, a venture fund investing in disruptive technologies. He is also the co-founder and Chairman of Groupon (GRPN) and co-founder of InnerWorkings (INWK), Echo Global Logistics (ECHO), Mediaocean and Uptake. In 2006 Eric Lefkofsky established the Lefkofsky Family Foundation, a private charitable foundation, with his wife Liz to advance high-impact initiatives that enhance lives in the communities served. Eric Lefkofsky serves as a Trustee of Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, The Art Institute of Chicago, Steppenwolf Theater, The Museum of Science and Industry and World Business Chicago. He is an adjunct professor at the University of Chicago and author of Accelerated Disruption. He graduated from the University of Michigan and received his Juris Doctor at University of Michigan Law School. For more information on Eric Lefkofsky, visit http://www.lefkofsky.com.

Lefkofsky Family Foundation: http://lefkofskyfoundation.com

Eric Lefkofsky -- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericlefkofsky

Eric Lefkofsky -- Lightbank: http://www.lightbank.com/team/eric-lefkofsky

Image Available: http://www.marketwire.com/library/MwGo/2016/4/7/11G092517/Images/mw1afpbh65j9pc1e7i1jr814il1dm32-7e0319f35dfbb8dea5bfcf0d4beb2b8a.jpg

Contact Information:
Rachel Graham
rachel@lffoundation.com