He is currently the subject of a documentary directed by his friend and brother-in-law Casey Affleck; the documentary will follow him as he moves to a career making hip-hop music while managed by rap icon Sean "Diddy" Combs. Filming began in late 2008.
Phoenix has long been a social activist, lending his support to a number of charities and humanitarian organizations, notably Amnesty International,[28] The Art of Elysium, HEART,The Peace Alliance (an organization which campaigns for a United States Department of Peace), and is on the board of directors for The Lunchbox Fund.
Phoenix has been a dedicated vegan since the age of three. He is a member of P.E.T.A. and the organization In Defense of Animals, and has actively campaigned on their behalf. He narrated the film Earthlings for Nation Earth, a video about the investigation of animal abuse in factory farms, pet mills, in industry and research. In 2005, he was awarded the "Humanitarian Award" at the San Diego Film Festival for his work and contribution to Earthlings.
In 2005, he participated in the documentary I'm Still Here: Real Diaries of Young People Who Lived During the Holocaust.
