THE CREATIVE COALITION ANNOUNCES WINNERS OF ‘YOUR VOICE CARRIES WEIGHT’ PSA COMPETITION
PSA Competition Spotlights Aspiring Filmmakers and the Epidemic Affecting More than Four out of 10 U.S. Adults
February 1, 2023 (New York, NY) – Today, The Creative Coalition announced the winners of the Your Voice Carries Weight PSA Competition that used the power of the arts to address the ”untold story” of obesity in America. Entrants from around the nation submitted :30 and :60 second videos along the theme of informing viewers to better understand obesity, a public health epidemic that impacts more than four out of 10 U.S. adults. Three outstanding visual storytellers were selected whose work most creatively represented the PSA competition theme, Destigmatizing Obesity: A Misunderstood Chronic Disease that Affects Individuals of all Ages and Backgrounds, their Families, and Communities. The competition jury included Emmy Award-winning comedian, executive producer, & best-selling author Judy Gold (“Netflix Is A Joke,” “HBO’s At the Multiplex with Judy Gold,” “Better Things”), Emmy Award-nominated executive producer/director Ken Olin (“This Is Us,” “Criminal Minds,” “The Man in the High Castle,” “Thirtysomething”), Brian Collins, Co-Founder & Chief Creative Officer, COLLINS Agency, and actor Yolonda Ross (“The Chi”, “The Get Down”). The Jury selected three winners for a :30 or :60 second PSA that displays originality and exceptional vision in addressing the theme.
Annually, The Creative Coalition undertakes award-winning public service campaigns that use the arts to bring issues of importance to the forefront of the national agenda. Past campaigns have included supporting our military families and promoting the efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine. This year, The Creative Coalition’s PSA competition theme was, Destigmatizing Obesity: A Misunderstood Chronic Disease that Affects Individuals of all Ages and Backgrounds, their Families, and Communities. Aspiring filmmakers were encouraged to create PSA entries directed toward the BIPOC, LGBTQIA, and Latinx communities, where obesity is even more pervasive with less access to healthcare.
The PSA competition is part of a multi-platform initiative to showcase the efficacy of the arts in bringing issues of social welfare importance to the forefront of the national agenda. Winning filmmakers received cash grants as well as opportunities for mentoring from entertainment industry professionals. “The Creative Coalition has a long track record of making an impact through our award-winning PSA series, and we are excited to carry on that legacy with this new campaign to bring awareness and understanding around the complexities of obesity,” said actor and President of The Creative Coalition Tim Daly.
“Building understanding of a social welfare issue through the arts and providing platforms for the next generation of creatives is of paramount importance to The Creative Coalition. We received entries from talented and extraordinary young artists from across the nation, and we are pleased to know that the next generation of content creators are exceptional visionaries who do not underestimate the power and reach of the arts,” said Robin Bronk, CEO of The Creative Coalition.
PSAs are available complimentary for broadcast, digital, and social media distribution. For more information or for exhibiting access to the PSAs, please contact Adina Lewis at alewis@thecreativecoalition.org
A compilation of the winning entries as well as each of the individual winning PSAs can be viewed below.
The compilation video:
First Place – My Father by E.L. Anderson follows a former athlete as he shares his struggle with weight gain. Elijah is a recent graduate of Boise State University with a bachelor’s degree in music. He collaborated on this PSA with his father, who is the subject of the video.
Second Place – Carrot Talk by Sam Schild uses animation to provide a factual view on obesity. Sam Schild is a sophomore at the University of Utah, double majoring in Film and Engineering (expected graduation May 2025). Sam also is a Teacher’s Assistant for the University of Utah’s Intro to Animation course and develops content for his own YouTube Channel (Brohemian Lifestyle) that features reviews and tutorials on high tech gear and gadgets.
Third Place – Obesity is a Personal Issue by Shirelle Thorne shares a very personal and compelling story about how obesity has affected her family and community. Maryland native Shirelle Thorne aspires to produce films that “make a difference and inspire people to be their best versions of themselves.” She is the recipient of the Festival Prize from the Great Lakes Film Festival for Best Comedy.
About The Creative Coalition
The Creative Coalition is the premier nonprofit, 501(c)(3) nonpartisan charity of the entertainment industry dedicated to using the power and platform of the arts and entertainment communities in award-winning public service and advocacy campaigns. Founded in 1989 by prominent members of the creative community, The Creative Coalition is dedicated to educating its members on issues of public importance. Actor Tim Daly serves as the organization’s president. www.TheCreativeCoalition.org.
The PSA competition is made possible through gracious support from Novo Nordisk Inc.
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