Spring 2021 Award Winners

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Jared Milrad, Founder and President 

A Show For A Change, Inc. + Movikarma, Inc.

info@ashowforachange.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

A SHOW FOR A CHANGE FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES SPRING 2021 AWARD WINNERS FOR SOCIAL IMPACT FILMS  

Los Angeles, CA – July 27, 2021 – A Show For A Change today announced several winners for its monthly global film festival, celebrating social impact films from around the world. The awarded films include projects from around the world and were created by numerous celebrated filmmakers.

“We’re proud to recognize these powerful films that advance the social causes of our time,” said Jared Milrad, founder and president of A Show For A Change. “Our festival continues to attract a strong diversity of socially conscious films from around the world. This month’s awarded films address timely causes, including racial justice, climate change, the harmful effects of colonialism, and autism awareness.”

This month’s winners include:

●     Social Impact Award: Zip Code Matters Directed by Sena Mourad Friedman.

A person’s ZIP Code has been shown to have a greater impact on health and well-being than their genetic code, affecting access to education, transportation, and wealth. How is this possible? This provocative new documentary ZIP CODE MATTERS boldly asks the question and gets profound and insightful answers from the nation’s leading policymakers, nonprofit executives, public health officials and social scientists, researchers, authors, civil rights, and social justice activists. Audiences will learn about the connection between ZIP Codes and the forecast for life outcomes.  Learn more by clicking here!

●     Creativity Award: Forget Me Not Directed by Jade Rodriguez Solomon. 

Sally suffers from dementia, a regularly misunderstood and mistreated illness. She believes she is in her prime, enjoying her twenties as a soon-to-be mother with her best friend, Isabel, by her side. Unbeknownst to Sally, however, Isabel is her live-in carer, helping Sally navigate the banalities of everyday life without disrupting her perceived reality. See the trailer here!

●     Editing Award: Remember Me Directed by Toluwalola Kasali. 

This documentary tells the story of people who have been forced to flee their homes due to the Boko Haram conflict in North-East Nigeria and highlights their experiences living in camps and host communities. The ongoing conflict has displaced over 2 million people, and more than 50% of them have been living in this situation for more than five years, making their displacement prolonged. Learn More Here!

●    Spotlight Award: I Rock Directed by Reni Walker. 

A young man uses the power of dance to teach vulnerable teens the power of mentorship and community. Watch the trailer here!

"The intention and energy behind this documentary is to tell the true story of how the segregated living patterns we are dealing with today were intentionally created by the government.  These neighborhood and community environments are not natural. They are manmade and it is important to understand that they can be unmade. Our team, with a very small budget, set out to tell this story clearly, concisely, and honestly. Making this film during a global pandemic gave us the opportunity to do this in creative ways. The featured guests in this documentary are extraordinary humans who have made correcting the effects of redlining and segregation their life’s work."

• Sena Mouraid Friedman, Director of Zip Code Matters

"As film students, but also an all-female crew and predominantly female film, winning this award means so much to us. After working so hard on this film, to be awarded in such a way is amazing. We believe our film's story is incredibly important, as dementia is so often misunderstood or misrepresented, and it is a disease for which women are at greater risk. For this reason, we are thrilled to have created and been able to share an accurate, as well as artistic view of dementia.”

• Filmmakers of Forget Me Not

"I Rock tells the story of Ron, a young man who came to Canada as a child, balancing the challenges of raising his young family while mentoring a group of teen hip hop dancers. As his young, unprofessional dance crew trains and competes to reclaim a world championship, Ron helps them find something more important than winning: family. We wanted to share this story of an Everyday Hero who never stopped looking for ways to make a difference while trying to build a better life for his family. We're thrilled to accept the Spotlight Award for the Spring 2021 A Show for a Change Film Festival. Thank you for showcasing films that seek to bring about positive change in the world!" 

• Reni Walker & Nadine Anglin, Producers/Directors of I Rock

"This project is very close to my heart, and winning this award is a testament to the power of their stories - the experiences, resilience, and dreams of Internally displaced persons. I am honoured and grateful to be a part of helping to tell their stories and create awareness about their plight.” 

• Toluwalola Kasali, Director & Writer of Remember Me

A Show For A Change invites filmmakers who share a passion for changing the world through the power of storytelling to submit to our monthly film festival. We seek diverse, engaging stories that address societal, environmental, and cultural issues. To apply for our next film festival, filmmakers can submit their projects by September 30, 2021 using this link: https://filmfreeway.com/ashowforachange

About A Show For A Change Film Festival 

With 500+ global submissions, A Show For A Change has awarded some of the most creative, groundbreaking, and inspiring stories highlighting social issues since launching its monthly festival in December 2017. The company’s mission is to celebrate socially impactful films through the art of storytelling and advocate for enduring social change. It embraces films that challenge the status quo and stand up for urgent causes like human rights, animal rights, and the environment. 

Learn more about our current projects and monthly global film festival at ashowforachange.com

Website: A Show For A Change

Instagram: @movikarma

Facebook: @AShowForAChange 

Hashtag: #AShowForAChange

###

March 2021 Award Winners

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Jared Milrad, Founder and President 

A Show For A Change, Inc. + Movikarma, Inc.

info@ashowforachange.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

A SHOW FOR A CHANGE FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES MARCH 2021 AWARD WINNERS FOR SOCIAL IMPACT FILMS  

Los Angeles, CA – April 27, 2021 – A Show For A Change today announced several winners for its monthly global film festival, celebrating social impact films from around the world. The awarded films include projects from around the world and were created by numerous celebrated filmmakers.

“We’re proud to recognize these powerful films that advance the social causes of our time,” said Jared Milrad, founder and president of A Show For A Change. “Our festival continues to attract a strong diversity of socially conscious films from around the world. This month’s awarded films address timely causes, including racial justice, climate change, the harmful effects of colonialism, and autism awareness.”

This month’s winners include:

●     Jury’s Choice Award: What COVID-19 Exposed in Long-Term Care  Directed by Christian Lockerman.

As the COVID-19 pandemic ravaged long-term care and skilled nursing facilities, blame was thrown quickly at the facilities and their operators. But where does the responsibility actually lie for the failure to protect tens of thousands of frail seniors? This 20-minute documentary explores the causes behind the COVID-19 crisis in long-term care facilities across the United States.  Learn more by clicking here!

●     Social Impact Award: The Fight to Ban Live Animals Directed by Jordan Ehrlich.

Even under the picturesque skyline of New York City, there are over 80 “wet” markets filled with unimaginable abuse and disease.  Learn more by clicking here!

●     Creativity Award: The Peaceful Revolution Directed by Ed Munter.

Based on the award-winning episodic, The Peaceful Revolution, THE PEACEFUL REVOLUTION: JOURNEY TO FREEDOM is a musical exploration along the back roads of our contemporary landscape. Our guide on this journey is a cross between a rural poet, a modern troubadour, and a country philosopher. We travel together down the road less traveled as he shares engaging observations, provocative perspectives, homespun spoken word, socially relevant songs, and bits of down-home wisdom. Our guide appears to be a kind of homegrown Everyman who entices us on this vision quest with a question; “What does it mean to be free?” See the trailer here!

●     Storytelling Award: Refuge Directed by Mehmet Tığlı.

This is the true story of an Iraqi male college student and a female rape victim from Syria, who come across each other in Istanbul. While the Iraqi guy is trying to get away from Istanbul as soon as possible in order to continue his education in Italy and meet his lover over there, the only thing that the woman wants is stay alive and feel secure. See the trailer here!

●    Spotlight Award: Connect/Disconnect Directed by Kandace McGowan.

Eight teenagers capture their experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic and school closures for a school history project. The group includes YouTube vlogger Adrian, overachiever Reese, activist Kaelin, high-school power couple Lucas and Bailey, the outcast Mallory and escapist Zack. Each teenager copes with what it means to come of age during a global pandemic, finding moments of hope and connection in their isolation. Connect/Disconnect is an original devised film, written and created by Sehome Drama high school students about their experiences during the school closures and 2020 pandemic. Watch the trailer here!

"I am honored and grateful to receive the Creativity Award for the feature, THE PEACEFUL REVOLUTION: JOURNEY TO FREEDOM. My work has always been about using art, music, and film to inspire positive social change.  Discovering A SHOW FOR CHANGE, a film festival dedicated to making a positive impact on Hollywood by supporting socially conscious films is like finding an oasis on a long trip through the desert."

• Ed Munter, Director of The Peaceful Revolution: Journey to Freedom

“My film may be hard for some to watch. But this is the reality of how the vast majority of animals are treated. Whether it’s free-range organic, halal, kosher, humane or #5 on Whole Foods’ 5-step animal welfare rating, this is what happens to animals. Even small family owned markets in the biggest city in America are filled with unimaginable abuse, filth and disease. Thank you to A Show for Change, we are humbled by this award”

• Jordan Ehrlich, Director of The Fight to Ban Live Animal Markets

“We’re honored to receive this award from A Show For A Change Film Festival. We created this film for exactly that reason – to create change. For years as a society we've neglected the challenges facing our nation's nursing homes. This contributed to perhaps the greatest tragedy of the pandemic where we've seen almost 120,000 residents and well over a thousand workers in nursing homes lose their lives to COVID-19. Never again should frail seniors and their caretakers face such a desperate catastrophe. Now is the time for us to fix these problems together."

• Karen Wolk Feinstein, Executive Producer of What Covid-19 Exposed in Long-Term Care and President and CEO of the Jewish Healthcare Foundation

“Thank you so much for this award! Connect/Disconnect was created by high school students to show other young people that, even during this time of social isolation and uncertainty, you are not alone! We are all connected and find ways to be together, even when we have to be physically apart. We wrote and created our film at the height of the pandemic in a time of great uncertainty. It felt impossible to make, but we believed in our story and in the power of film, and we believe it can bring healing and inspiration during this difficult time. Thank you for spotlighting us! This film festival and award gives us the opportunity to share our film with even more young people. We want you all to know – reach out! You are never alone! Thank you!”

• Kandace McGowan, Director of Connect/Disconnect

“I am proud to win an award at your festival featuring social justice and human rights themed films. The art of cinema and meaningful festivals like yours will make a valuable contribution to taking a step on behalf of humanity.”

• Mehmet Tığlı, Director of Refuge

A Show For A Change invites filmmakers who share a passion for changing the world through the power of storytelling to submit to our monthly film festival. We seek diverse, engaging stories that address societal, environmental, and cultural issues. To apply for our next film festival, filmmakers can submit their projects by April 30, 2021 using this link: https://filmfreeway.com/ashowforachange

About A Show For A Change Film Festival 

With 500+ global submissions, A Show For A Change has awarded some of the most creative, groundbreaking, and inspiring stories highlighting social issues since launching its monthly festival in December 2017. The company’s mission is to celebrate socially impactful films through the art of storytelling and advocate for enduring social change. It embraces films that challenge the status quo and stand up for urgent causes like human rights, animal rights, and the environment. 

Learn more about our current projects and monthly global film festival at ashowforachange.com

Website: A Show For A Change

Instagram: @movikarma

Facebook: @AShowForAChange 

Hashtag: #AShowForAChange

###

February 2021 Award Winners

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Jared Milrad, Founder and President 

A Show For A Change, Inc. + Movikarma, Inc. 

info@ashowforachange.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

A SHOW FOR A CHANGE FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES FEBRUARY 2021 AWARD WINNERS FOR SOCIAL IMPACT FILMS  

Los Angeles, CA – February 28, 2021 – A Show For A Change today announced several winners for its monthly global film festival, celebrating social impact films from around the world. The awarded films include projects from around the world and were created by numerous celebrated filmmakers.

“We’re proud to recognize these powerful films that advance the social causes of our time,” said Jared Milrad, founder and president of A Show For A Change. “Our festival continues to attract a strong diversity of socially conscious films from around the world. This month’s awarded films address timely causes, including racial justice, climate change, the harmful effects of colonialism, and autism awareness.”

This month’s winners include: 

●     Social Impact Award: Route 4 Directed by Martina Chamrad.

Documentary with and about the NGO Sea-Eye which was filmed over the course of 2 years, 5 Missions and 8 Countries. Refugees tell their Story and paint the picture of a horrible journey. See the trailer here!

●     Creativity Award: We Want the Airwaves Directed by Scott Ryan.

Filmed over the course of 10 years, "We Want the Airwaves" chronicles the journey of a trio of first time TV makers as they set forth on a daring adventure. The group creates and films an activist focused docuseries ("Manifesto!") in the year 2005, with the goal of launching the first citizen’s platform on network television.

●     Storytelling Award: Maasai Speak Back Directed by Vanessa Wijngaarden.

The (mis)adventures of five tourist groups in a dry and poor area of Tanzania are explained and commented on by both the Dutch tourists and the Maasai villagers involved, revealing and destroying not only the widespread Maasai stereotype, but also the imagery Maasai have of ‘whites’. Catch the trailer here!

●     Cinematography Award: WILD THINGS Directed by Sally Ingleton.

Attempting to find a re-connection, a father takes his estranged teen daughter on a trip into the wilderness. Check out the trailer here!

“Never before has a project been as important to me as this one. The topic of sea rescue still receives far too little attention in politics and public perception, so that every contribution that makes people more aware of this is extremely important. Therefore, I am even more pleased that we have won the "Social Impact Award" because that is exactly our goal. To draw attention to inhumane conditions that happen right on our doorstep and that we, by doing nothing tolerate! To highlight how urgent the situation is! And to emphasize that we need to be active now!”

• Justin Jarrett, Director of Route 4
  

“Thank you so much to your team for the Creativity award! We’re thrilled and honored to take part in a festival that is focused on social change themes. We Want the Airwaves is the behind the scenes story of the making of the groundbreaking TV docuseries Manifesto! We made this film largely because the power of television is undeniably profound on the mindset of audiences. Today, more than ever, television that captures the zeitgeist as it exists for the everyday person, is rare. Anthemic projects like Manifesto! give a voice to community members while also battling against the real facets of the "fake news" phenomenon and the repeated attacks on press freedom and good journalism in general. Representation is key to these narratives, because those who are able to tell their stories not only contribute to history, they impact and engage communities. As social justice issues begin to take center stage in scripted television narratives, it is time for a documentary based citizen’s platform on television! To that extent, We Want the Airwaves captures a vibrant cross section of what television could be.”

• Scott Ryan, Director of We Want the Airwaves

“The storytelling award of 'A Show for a Change Film Festival' is a wonderful recognition especially for the Maasai women who have shared their story in this film, and for my partner in the creation of the documentary, local Maasai Paulo Ngulupa. The huge international inequality and local cultural constellations often make it very hard for Maasai women to be heard, but when they speak their mind, their strength, empathy, wisdom and authority draw us into a view of the world that is at once nostalgic and futuristic. In reaction to touristic visits, the women not only poignantly question the expanding capitalist and individualist rationales they find themselves confronted with, but also graciously present alternatives. This film is so important because it shows us how our very different worlds are in fact one, and that a future in which we treat 'strangers' as family members of a global human community is in fact a possibility, because against all odds, people have continued to live this, and those who have lost it would like to find the trust in their hearts to live like this again.” 

• Vanessa Wijngaarden, Director of Maasai Speak Back

A Show For A Change invites filmmakers who share a passion for changing the world through the power of storytelling to submit to our monthly film festival. We seek diverse, engaging stories that address societal, environmental, and cultural issues. To apply for our next film festival, filmmakers can submit their projects by March 30, 2021 using this link: https://filmfreeway.com/ashowforachange

About A Show For A Change Film Festival 

With 400+ global submissions, A Show For A Change has awarded some of the most creative, groundbreaking, and inspiring stories highlighting social issues since launching its monthly festival in December 2017. The company’s mission is to celebrate socially impactful films through the art of storytelling and advocate for enduring social change. It embraces films that challenge the status quo and stand up for urgent causes like human rights, animal rights, and the environment. 

Learn more about our current projects and monthly global film festival at ashowforachange.com

Website: A Show For A Change

Twitter: @AShowForAChange 

Instagram: @AShowForAChange

Facebook: @AShowForAChange 

Hashtag: #AShowForAChange

January 2021 Award Winners

 CONTACT INFORMATION:

Jared Milrad, Founder and President 

A Show For A Change, Inc. 

info@ashowforachange.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

A SHOW FOR A CHANGE FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES JANUARY 2021 AWARD WINNERS FOR SOCIAL IMPACT FILMS  

Los Angeles, CA – February 26, 2021 – A Show For A Change today announced several winners for its monthly global film festival, celebrating social impact films from around the world. The awarded films include projects from around the world and were created by numerous celebrated filmmakers.

“We’re proud to recognize these powerful films that advance the social causes of our time,” said Jared Milrad, founder and president of A Show For A Change. “Our festival continues to attract a strong diversity of socially conscious films from around the world. This month’s awarded films address timely causes, including racial justice, climate change, the harmful effects of colonialism, and autism awareness.”

This month’s winners include: 

●     Social Impact Award: S.O.B.E.R. - DWI Courts and the Transformation from Addiction to Recovery Directed by Justin Jarrett.

Over 1.5 million people are arrested every year in the United States of America for DWI offenses. S.O.B.E.R. DWI Courts and the Transformation from Addiction to Recovery is a film that chronicles how one court decided to take a different approach to the problem. Learn more by clicking here!

●     Creativity Award: Elephant Elephant Elephant! Directed by Millie Young.

Elephant, Elephant, Elephant! is a 10 minute immersive animation experience, hand drawn in 360° animation that plays with our anthropomorphism of elephants, initially delighting the audience in the guise of elefunks in the circus, they then transform back into ‘real’ elephants, whose stereotypical actions appear like they are dancing and greeting each other. The illusion broken, the suspension of disbelief is exposed and signals the beginning of the elephant’s poetic escape leaving us alone in the dark. See the trailer here!

●     Storytelling Award: Young Lions Directed by Federico Ahumada.

Owana, a girl on the threshold of puberty faces the unexpected death of her father. Rail, her best friend witnesses the murder at the hands of his own father. Both decide to escape leaving behind the conflict that breaks out in their village. 

●     Cinematography Award: Between the Creag and the Sky Directed by Kurt Heinlein.

Attempting to find a re-connection, a father takes his estranged teen daughter on a trip into the wilderness. Catch a clip of the film here!

“Having our film, Between the Creag and the Sky, selected by A Show for a Change is an honor. Creag follows a day's events as a divorced father takes his estranged teen daughter into the wilderness in an attempt to forge a re-connection.  In doing so, the film strives to illuminate the vitality of the natural world in bringing balance to our lives, most specifically within our interpersonal relationships. The mission of A Show for a Change in forging positive change is the primary reason why we were excited to submit Creag for consideration, and why we're even more joyous that the film was selected!”

• Kurt Heinlein, Director of Between the Creag and the Sky

“I think too often, we see someone commit a crime and we immediately jump to the punishment for that crime, but we fail to step back and look at how we can help this person. Do we as a society have the ability to honestly help this person get their life back on track? Do we make those tools readily available to them, or do we simply lock them up and throw away the key hoping the problem simply solves itself? My hope was that as filmmakers we could open the door to society beginning to look at Issouf as a human being that needs our help rather than a statistic that happens to be a human being. Then, hopefully, if we are lucky maybe his story could help someone else and so on and so forth. Eventually, changing the conversation and beginning to reduce the problem that is recidivism.”

• Justin Jarrett, Director of Social Impact Award: S.O.B.E.R. - DWI Courts and the Transformation from Addiction to Recovery 

“This Creativity award from  A Show For A Change Film Festival is a great endorsement of Elephant Elephant Elephant! a ten-minute hand-drawn animation made by ‘an avant-garde, experimental film-maker, working independently, and with a more self-conscious auteur’s perspective’ in the 360 paradigm. It is a metaphor for our relationship with elephants.

It addresses the 'elephant in the room' playing with our anthropomorphism of elephants, delighting the audience with the elefunks the narrative captivates us as they replicate the familiar scenario of circus acrobats, trapeze, ropes, hoops, unicycles and even a flying elefunk cannonball – until it becomes overwhelming, teetering on the absurd. The fantasy breaks and signals the beginning of their escape. We start to see them as elephants, and for what they really are: sentient beings, too large to see fully, mysterious, secretive, beautiful in their natural form, yet in such close proximity that we feel claustrophobic, but we can’t escape as we are fixed to the virtual spot; until they leave us, alone with only our shadow to contemplate the dark empty space which they once inhabited.

The festival is a great chance to share this experience and prick the consciousness of a wider audience.  It was a labour of love made as part of my PhD, and is a single-handed creation made by a 50 something traditional woman animator.”

• Millie Young, Director of Elephant Elephant Elephant!

“This is the first fiction short film I shoot in the Caribbean Region of Colombia, from where I'm from. It’s inspired by a tale that has the same name and that later became a novel by Colombian writer Joaquín Rojano. This film was my first approach to my roots as a filmmaker, both geographically and culturally speaking, and it's reflected, especially in the music and the relationships between the characters, and has a deep connection to my childhood memories.” 

• Federico Ahumada, Director of Young Lions

A Show For A Change invites filmmakers who share a passion for changing the world through the power of storytelling to submit to our monthly film festival. We seek diverse, engaging stories that address societal, environmental, and cultural issues. To apply for our next film festival, filmmakers can submit their projects by February 28, 2021 using this link: https://filmfreeway.com/ashowforachange

About A Show For A Change Film Festival 

With 400+ global submissions, A Show For A Change has awarded some of the most creative, groundbreaking, and inspiring stories highlighting social issues since launching its monthly festival in December 2017. The company’s mission is to celebrate socially impactful films through the art of storytelling and advocate for enduring social change. It embraces films that challenge the status quo and stand up for urgent causes like human rights, animal rights, and the environment. 

Learn more about our current projects and monthly global film festival at ashowforachange.com

Website: A Show For A Change

Twitter: @AShowForAChange 

Instagram: @AShowForAChange

Facebook: @AShowForAChange 

Hashtag: #AShowForAChange

###

December 2020 Award Winners

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Jared Milrad, Founder and President 

A Show For A Change, Inc. 

info@ashowforachange.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

A SHOW FOR A CHANGE FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES DECEMBER 2020 AWARD WINNERS FOR SOCIAL IMPACT FILMS  

Los Angeles, CA – February 25, 2021 – A Show For A Change today announced several winners for its monthly global film festival, celebrating social impact films from around the world. The awarded films include projects from around the world and were created by numerous celebrated filmmakers.

“We’re proud to recognize these powerful films that advance the social causes of our time,” said Jared Milrad, founder and president of A Show For A Change. “Our festival continues to attract a strong diversity of socially conscious films from around the world. This month’s awarded films address timely causes, including racial justice, climate change, the harmful effects of colonialism, and autism awareness.”

This month’s winners include: 

●     Social Impact Award: The Effects Directed by Mike Berry.

The Effects is a film about Rosa, a teen, who is forced to make a difficult decision when her father, Hector, a hard working Guatemalan is threatened with deportation.

●     Creativity Award: Goodbye Home Directed by Jonathan Chong

‘Goodbye Home’ is a poignant story about two families impacted by the 2019/20 “Black Summer” bushfires in Australia. On a hot summer day, a young boy lounges in a tyre swing hanging from the big branch of an old ghost gum. He peers through binoculars to catch glimpses of a baby koala and its parents living at the top of the gum’s mighty trunk. The surrounding bush vibrates with native animal life. In the distance, plumes of grey smoke rise above the coastal landscape, showering the horizon with ash.

●     Storytelling Award: Heart of the Bear Directed by Daniel Maraccino

A woodsman from the New York Catskill Park nurtures a small group of people through the NY Covid first wave via a daily Livestream. Watch the trailer here!

●     Cinematography Award: Blood Hana Directed by Mary Evangelista.

Lily, an introverted teen, begins questioning her faith in God and her sexuality as she develops a crush on her classmate, Alex. As the two girls become closer, and Lily's feelings develop, she becomes sicker and sicker. After throwing up a flower, she seeks help from her mother who reveals to her that she may have inherited a disease called Hanahaki, which is formed out of unrequited love. Lily must make the choice to remove the flowers and her love for Alex or allow them to consume her. Watch the trailer here!

A Show For A Change invites filmmakers who share a passion for changing the world through the power of storytelling to submit to our monthly film festival. We seek diverse, engaging stories that address societal, environmental, and cultural issues. To apply for our next film festival, filmmakers can submit their projects by January 30, 2021 using this link: https://filmfreeway.com/ashowforachange

About A Show For A Change Film Festival 

With 400+ global submissions, A Show For A Change has awarded some of the most creative, groundbreaking, and inspiring stories highlighting social issues since launching its monthly festival in December 2017. The company’s mission is to celebrate socially impactful films through the art of storytelling and advocate for enduring social change. It embraces films that challenge the status quo and stand up for urgent causes like human rights, animal rights, and the environment. 

Learn more about our current projects and monthly global film festival at ashowforachange.com

Website: A Show For A Change

Twitter: @AShowForAChange 

Instagram: @AShowForAChange

Facebook: @AShowForAChange 

Hashtag: #AShowForAChange

###

November 2020 Award Winners

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Jared Milrad, Founder and President 

A Show For A Change, Inc. 

info@ashowforachange.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

A SHOW FOR A CHANGE FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES NOVEMBER 2020 AWARD WINNERS FOR SOCIAL IMPACT FILMS  

Los Angeles, CA – December 14, 2020 – A Show For A Change today announced several winners for its monthly global film festival, celebrating social impact films from around the world. The awarded films include projects from around the world and were created by numerous celebrated filmmakers.

“We’re proud to recognize these powerful films that advance the social causes of our time,” said Jared Milrad, founder and president of A Show For A Change. “Our festival continues to attract a strong diversity of socially conscious films from around the world. This month’s awarded films address timely causes, including racial justice, climate change, the harmful effects of colonialism, and autism awareness.”

This month’s winners include: 

●     Social Impact Award: A Killer Stereotype Directed by Michael Conti.

One of the clearest ways we see structural racism play out is in our economic policies. A favorite of dog-whistle politicians, one particular stereotype has demonized Black Americans – and Black women in particular – for far too long. Watch the film here!

●     Creativity Award: Tellus Directed by Ilze Millere

'Tellus' is a love letter for Mother Earth which celebrates our connection with her - from pure joy and love towards nature’s elements, to our collective fears and worries about the damage the humankind has done to our planet, to an inspiring call for action and a hope for a greener, more united future.

'Tellus' is a sustainable, female-led community project that captures love, concern and hope for our planet from voices across the world. Read more about them here!

●     Storytelling Award: Walking Together Directed by Jeremy Williams, Sheldon Anderson, Shelby Anderson, Deena Watson.

Walking Together in Africa, is a film made by and about Indigenous youth from Canada. It is a global story of indigenous youth coming of age, traveling to Africa, learning and sharing their wisdom - part adventure film, part social justice documentary. Whether talking about the effects of colonialism, the hazards of squat toilets or how to grow a community garden, the sheer exuberance of these young adults’ energy and optimism is captivating throughout this film and gives us hope for their futures.

Watch the trailer here!

●     Cinematography Award: Spectrum Directed by Alex Hastings.

In 2019, 1 in 59 people were diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. Living on the Autism Spectrum can include a wide variety of experiences.

Alex Hastings' composition "Spectrum" is an auditory/visual work to help people understand some of the aspects of living with Autism. The piece is divided into five different experiences:

• Aware: the sometimes overwhelming stimulation of the lights, sounds, and colors of a busy city at night.

• Alone: the difficulty in communication that often comes with Autism.

• Attack: the panic attacks that people with Autism often face, due to heightened anxiety and sensory over-stimulation.

• Awake: the struggles with insomnia during times of over-stimulation, as the brain struggles to slow down enough for sleep.

• Alive: the celebration of living with Autism, and accepting it as a valuable part of one's identity.

Watch the trailer here!

“Our team is very proud to receive the ‘Story telling’ award from A Show for Change Film Festival!

Indeed, our hope is to inspire change! We believe strongly in the power of sharing story as a catalyst for social change and also hope to empower more youth to tell their stories of resilience in the face of crisis.”

– Jeremy Williams, Director of Walking Together

“Most people today recognize the textbook definition of Autism, but not as many people can truly understand how living on the Autism Spectrum actually feels. We created Spectrum to highlight some of the many different experiences someone with Autism might have. With the music and cinematography, we hope this audio-visual experience helps people step into the world of a person living on the Autism Spectrum. We are so grateful to have been chosen for this award so that we can share our project and help people understand Autism more authentically.”

– Alex Hastings, Director of Spectrum

“Tellus tells the story of our connection with Earth - from pure joy and love towards nature’s elements, to our collective fears and worries about the damage the humankind has done to our planet, to an inspiring call for action and a hope for a greener, more united future. In a time when the world kept us all divided and isolated in our own homes, Tellus united creators across the world to honour our Mother Earth. I have so much passion for this beautiful planet, so it was a joy to create a piece of visual and auditory poetry to celebrate it. I'm grateful and honoured to have received the Creativity Award in this festival as I truly believe in the power of using my creative voice to spread a message about a greener, kinder and more united world, and I can't wait for Tellus to move and inspire people across the world.”

– Ilze Millere, Director & Producer of Tellus

“Economic Security Project is proud to be selected for an award in A Show For Change Film Festival. We made "A Killer Stereotype" to examine the power racist narratives have had over policy and people's lives. The idea that Black Americans – particularly Black women – are less deserving of public support has resulted in harmful stereotypes still influencing politics today and a weakened social safety net for everyone. At a time when millions are facing economic uncertainty, we need to come together and reject racist tropes like the "Welfare Queen." Only then can we move forward to implement new anti-racist systems that truly work for all.”

– Michael Conti, Editor of A Killer Stereotype

A Show For A Change invites filmmakers who share a passion for changing the world through the power of storytelling to submit to our monthly film festival. We seek diverse, engaging stories that address societal, environmental, and cultural issues. To apply for our next film festival, filmmakers can submit their projects by December 29, 2020 using this link: https://filmfreeway.com/ashowforachange

About A Show For A Change Film Festival 

With 400+ global submissions, A Show For A Change has awarded some of the most creative, groundbreaking, and inspiring stories highlighting social issues since launching its monthly festival in December 2017. The company’s mission is to celebrate socially impactful films through the art of storytelling and advocate for enduring social change. It embraces films that challenge the status quo and stand up for urgent causes like human rights, animal rights, and the environment. 

Learn more about our current projects and monthly global film festival at ashowforachange.com

Website: A Show For A Change

Twitter: @AShowForAChange 

Instagram: @AShowForAChange

Facebook: @AShowForAChange 

Hashtag: #AShowForAChange

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October 2020 Award Winners

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Jared Milrad, Founder and President 

A Show For A Change, Inc. 

info@ashowforachange.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

A SHOW FOR A CHANGE FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES OCTOBER 2020 AWARD WINNERS FOR SOCIAL IMPACT FILMS  

Los Angeles, CA – November 17, 2020 – A Show For A Change today announced several winners for its monthly global film festival, celebrating social impact films from around the world. The awarded films include projects from around the world and were created by numerous celebrated filmmakers.

“We’re proud to recognize these powerful films that advance the social causes of our time,” said Jared Milrad, founder and president of A Show For A Change. “Our festival continues to attract a strong diversity of socially conscious films from around the world. This month’s awarded films address timely causes, including the war on drugs, mental health, and environmental sustainability.”

This month’s winners include: 

●     Social Impact Award: DENNIS: The Man Who Legalized Cannabis Directed by Brandon Moore.

The story of veteran, LGBTQ+ and cannabis activist, Dennis Peron, who fought to get cannabis to HIV/AIDS patients in 1990s San Francisco. Watch the trailer here!

●     Creativity Award: Seeds Directed by Yonca Sophia Ergen

Seeds Is a three-part webseries about the climate generation. Each episode portrays a young person from a different country who is pursuing an individual approach on communicating climate change and making their voice heard. Watch the trailer here!

●     Storytelling Award: Kanda Bode (Don't Get Whipped)  Directed byFekad Kiros and Cheryl Halpern

This documentary focuses on the Hamar Tribe, a semi nomadic and rural people who live along the Omo River in Southwestern Ethiopia. Preserving the traditions of their ancestors is essential to defining Hamar life. One of the most venerated of the Hamar’s ancient traditions involves the transition of the Hamar male into an adult. Today, however there is a new awareness that aspects of this tradition are harmful to the health and well being of many who participate. The Hamar people are beginning to consider how their tradition can evolve.

Watch the trailer here!

●     Cinematography Award: Darkest Directed by Martin T. B. Thomas.

Jesper is a weekend-dad fed up with life, so he travels out into the woods to commit suicide. Equipped only with the birthday gift to his son, he drives as far as the forest allows before he connects the exhaust pipe to the driver's window and turns the ignition. But not even this can go as wanted, and the night offers a surprising acquaintanceWatch the trailer here!

“We are so happy to have been included in A show For Change. With Darkest, as a filmmaker, I wanted to try to explore how marginalisation and our society´s pressure of success may lead people to fatal conclusions. I think that you can apply humor to every situation, as long as the humor is fine-tuned, precise, and contextually relevant. With Darkest, we wanted to use the art of filmmaking to shine a light on two marginalised souls, through almost sardonic humor. Films are a great way to start a conversation, because films may pose questions, and the audience may discuss their individual experiences after watching the film. And this film, I hope, may lead to another question: Why do white males account for almost 70% of suicide deaths?”

– Martin T. B. Thomas, Director of Darkest

“We're honored to receive the Social Impact award from A Show For A Change Film Festival. Veteran, LGBTQ+ and cannabis activist, Dennis Peron dedicated his entire life towards the legalization of cannabis for medical use. This award emboldens us as filmmakers to continue making films like DENNIS. We hope to share his incredible story with as wide an audience as possible.”

– Brandon Moore, Director of DENNIS: The Man Who Legalized Cannabis

“I truly feel honored to receive the creativity award for my web series, Seeds. Especially because this project, which I made from home, is being recognized by people who live on the other side of the ocean and who have the urge to encourage young filmmakers that want to make a social change. Climate Change is one of the biggest issues of our time and communicating it in an inspiring and different way is needed to shine a light on that topic and change a certain perspective. The web series, Seeds is my attempt to capture the zeitgeist of the climate generation. It follows three protagonists from different countries who each have different reasons for and approaches to being more environmentally friendly. The series addresses topics such as climate anxiety, the feeling of powerlessness, and how versatile each contribution can be. The essence of the series is expressed through the name, Seeds. It doesn’t matter if your contribution is large or small and what it looks like. What matters is that you start somewhere. Each contribution can be a seed that falls on the earth and is ready to grow.  Thank you for the acknowledgment and this opportunity.”

– Yonca Ergen, Creator of Seeds

A Show For A Change invites filmmakers who share a passion for changing the world through the power of storytelling to submit to our monthly film festival. We seek diverse, engaging stories that address societal, environmental, and cultural issues. To apply for our next film festival, filmmakers can submit their projects by November 29, 2020 using this link: https://filmfreeway.com/ashowforachange

About A Show For A Change Film Festival 

With 400+ global submissions, A Show For A Change has awarded some of the most creative, groundbreaking, and inspiring stories highlighting social issues since launching its monthly festival in December 2017. The company’s mission is to celebrate socially impactful films through the art of storytelling and advocate for enduring social change. It embraces films that challenge the status quo and stand up for urgent causes like human rights, animal rights, and the environment. 

Learn more about our current projects and monthly global film festival at ashowforachange.com

Website: A Show For A Change

Twitter: @AShowForAChange 

Instagram: @AShowForAChange

Facebook: @AShowForAChange 

Hashtag: #AShowForAChange

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September 2020 Award Winners

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Jared Milrad, Founder and President 

A Show For A Change, Inc. 

info@ashowforachange.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

A SHOW FOR A CHANGE FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES SEPTEMBER 2020 AWARD WINNERS FOR SOCIAL IMPACT FILMS  

Los Angeles, CA – October 20, 2020 – A Show For A Change today announced several winners for its monthly global film festival, celebrating social impact films from around the world. The awarded films include projects from around the world and were created by numerous celebrated filmmakers.

“We’re proud to recognize these powerful films that advance the social causes of our time,” said Jared Milrad, founder and president of A Show For A Change. “Our festival continues to attract a strong diversity of socially conscious films from around the world. This month’s awarded films address timely causes, including racial justice, immigration and criminal justice.”

This month’s winners include: 

●     Social Impact Award: I AM BLACK: The Enlightenment Directed by Angel N. Livas.

“The Enlightenment” documentary was created to educate cultures on the racial disparities that exists, while also providing a space for all cultures to understand that police brutality and racial discrimination doesn’t merely happen to “thugs,” it happens to the well-educated, as well as the average black man.

Watch as the cast opens up about their fears and how seeing the constant slaying of men that look like them, alters their psyche and shapes how they lead both in and out of their homes.

Watch the trailer here!

●     Creativity Award: Mercy Directed by Robin Glass. and Super Bois Directed by Jon Mancinetti

Mercy: An artistic eye on the terrifying subject of mass extinction. Watch the trailer here!

Super Bois: An indie filmmaker discovers his full potential by making a superhero movie with his brother, a young man with autism. Based on director Jon Mancinetti's unique relationship with his brother Joel.

●     Storytelling Award: 12th Street Directed by Gregory Lovett, Matthijs Heesemans

Each year 25,000 inmates are released in Huntsville, Texas — one of the largest prison towns in America. Monday through Friday, the glass doors swing open on the front of the Civil War-era, red-brick prison they call The Walls. The inmates exit and shuffle along the sidewalk, some smiling, some pensive, all shouldering onion sacks full of belongings. With no one to greet them, most of them stream past the private homes and prison offices toward the Greyhound bus station three blocks away. For hours, until buses have carried them off, there are lines of released prisoners everywhere near the station: a line for bus tickets, a line to cash prison checks, a line to buy new clothes.

This documentary features a number of these newly released prisoners and explores one of the most critical issues in the national debate over criminal justice reform: the flood of prisoners returning to American communities without the guidance and support needed for a successful transition back to society. What awaits them on the outside? How are they prepared to deal the new world? Where do they go from here?

Watch the trailer here!

●     Cinematography Award: Tuscaloosa Directed by Philip Harder.

1972. Vietnam war protests and racial tension is sizzling in the late summer heat of Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Billy Mitchell (Devon Bostick, Diary of a Wimpy Kid), a recent college graduate, spends the summer working on the lush grounds of an old world mental institution run by his psychiatrist father (Tate Donovan, Rocketman). Billy falls in love with Virginia (Natalia Dyer, Velvet Buzzsaw, Stranger Things), a patient who is possibly crazy, or perhaps she is the only sane person Billy has in his world. Billy’s best friend Nigel (Marchánt Davis) becomes involved with a radical civil rights activist (YG) against Tuscaloosa’s power elite, which includes Billy’s father. Billy is torn between Nigel, his father and his cronies, and Virginia who is planning her escape with or without Billy. Watch the trailer here!

After the unjust killings of George Floyd, Ahmed Arbery, and Breonna Taylor... a blind eye could no longer be turned to racism in America.  Director and Producer Angel N. Livas used her gift of storytelling to shed light on the racial disparities that exist between law enforcement and Black's in America in the documentary "The Enlightenment". 

"I am elated that "The Enlightenment" received the Social Impact Award from A Show For A Change Film Festival 2020". It means a lot to have a passion film, created entirely by the hands of creative volunteers, in under three weeks, be recognized by a film festival and gain international media exposure. Thank you so much "A Show For A Change Film Festival" for developing a platform for independent filmmakers to showcase their work and truly create change. 

– Angel N. Livas, Director of The Enlightenment

“Every day, 200 species go extinct, forever. And whose fault is it? Government? Capitalism? Greed? Me?  Yes… All of the above. My film “Mercy” doesn’t offer any solutions, it only presents the enormity of the traged”

– Robin Glass, Director of Mercy

“I intend to use my latest film, “Super Bois” to show the world the unique relationship I have with my brother Joel, who has special needs. This film will again raise money for non profits and change audience’s perception of those with disabilities.”

– Jon Mancinetti, Director of Super Bois

“We are very pleased to receive this award", said co-directors Gregory Lovett and Matthijs Heesemans.  "On behalf of the entire crew, we want to thank the festival organizers for not only honoring our hard work but also for helping to create awareness for one of the most critical issues in the debate about criminal justice reform:  the flood of prisoners returning home without the guidance and support needed for a successful transition back to society.  We are very proud that our documentary has been so well-received and hope that it will continue to provoke dialogue and encourage positive change."

– 12th Street Team

A Show For A Change invites filmmakers who share a passion for changing the world through the power of storytelling to submit to our monthly film festival. We seek diverse, engaging stories that address societal, environmental, and cultural issues. To apply for our next film festival, filmmakers can submit their projects by October 30, 2020 using this link: https://filmfreeway.com/ashowforachange

About A Show For A Change Film Festival 

With 400+ global submissions, A Show For A Change has awarded some of the most creative, groundbreaking, and inspiring stories highlighting social issues since launching its monthly festival in December 2017. The company’s mission is to celebrate socially impactful films through the art of storytelling and advocate for enduring social change. It embraces films that challenge the status quo and stand up for urgent causes like human rights, animal rights, and the environment. 

Learn more about our current projects and monthly global film festival at ashowforachange.com

Website: A Show For A Change

Twitter: @AShowForAChange 

Instagram: @AShowForAChange

Facebook: @AShowForAChange 

Hashtag: #AShowForAChange

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August 2020 Award Winners

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Jared Milrad, Founder and President 

A Show For A Change, Inc. 

info@ashowforachange.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

A SHOW FOR A CHANGE FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES AUGUST 2020 AWARD WINNERS FOR SOCIAL IMPACT FILMS  

Los Angeles, CA – October 1, 2020 – A Show For A Change today announced several winners for its monthly global film festival, celebrating social impact films from around the world. The awarded films include projects from around the world and were created by numerous celebrated filmmakers.

“We’re proud to recognize these powerful films that advance the social causes of our time,” said Jared Milrad, founder and president of A Show For A Change. “Our festival continues to attract a strong diversity of socially conscious films from around the world. This month’s awarded films address timely causes, including racial justice, immigration and criminal justice.”

This month’s winners include: 

●     Social Impact Award: Precursor Directed by Manolo Campos.

What if we talked? What if we listened? Precursor is a film that confronts the uncomfortable conversations in relation to prejudice, power, and patriotism. It offers a vision of what could be if two individuals with opposing viewpoints decided to listen. Watch the trailer here!

●     Creativity Award: Her Place Directed by Gustavo Garcia Solares.

Vanessa tells us to our face what her place in this world is. Watch the trailer here!

●     Storytelling Award: Out of View Directed by Stephanie Hazel.

Inspired by true events. Set & filmed during the Covid-19 pandemic as it is unfolding. 'Out of View' follows Kiera, a woman who unknowingly documents her escalating abuse via video logs.

●     Cinematography Award: By the Lit(t)er Directed by Flavia Reinhard.

It is well known that we have to save the oceans because they are full of plastic waste. But what about the waters in Switzerland? Little is spoken or reported about this. "Lit(t)erweise" / (By the Lit(t)er) is a documentary web series that deals with littering in Swiss waters. An underestimated local topic that also has global impacts. A professional fisherman, a waste diver and an environmental activist, three people who are actively doing something about waste in Swiss waters or are affected by it, lead through the problem. Watch the trailer here!

"It's incredibly humbling to receive an award for a work that we created out of necessity. Honest discourse about difficult topics like America's racial divide seem so scarce these days. Co-writer Cory McCants and I shared a vision of what could be if people decided to listen, and director Manolo Campos beautifully brought that vision to life. To be honored with the Social Impact Award is validation that our message resonates with others, and that gives us hope for the future."

– Precursor Team

 'We are so honoured to have won the 'Storytelling Award'. We absolutely love what 'A Show For A Change' stands for and the impact it has as a festival. Throughout lockdown domestic abuse killings have doubled worldwide and charity helplines have been overwhelmed in the UK. We created this film to raise awareness of the importance & urgency of the issue of domestic abuse. We want to give this film as much visibility as possible in order to awaken communities to what is going on, help as many people as we can and save lives. We are so thankful for the platform your festival and this award presents to be able to do this.'

– Out of View Team

 “We are so thrilled about this award. As a team, we wanted to spread this important message and it makes us very happy to know that a festival like this exists, that the voices of so many, represented in Vanessa's are being heard in places we never thought possible. We truly believe the power that filmmaking has to convey messages that, if not completely, can for a while make us think and feel like we are in someone else's shoes. May film making with a conscience continue to deliver strong and important messages! And may more spaces like this one continue to project those into broader audiences!”

– Her Place Team

 “My film was made as a final thesis at the Zurich University of the Arts. The subject resulted from my personal passion for oceans and lakes and the knowledge of their importance for mankind and the environment. As my debut work, it motivates me very much to see that both the content and the cinematic quality of my work are recognized by third parties to such an extent that it is even enough for an award on the other side of the world.

Many thanks for this.”

– Flavia Reinhard, Director of By the Lit(t)er

A Show For A Change invites filmmakers who share a passion for changing the world through the power of storytelling to submit to our monthly film festival. We seek diverse, engaging stories that address societal, environmental, and cultural issues. To apply for our next film festival, filmmakers can submit their projects by September 29, 2020 using this link: https://filmfreeway.com/ashowforachange

About A Show For A Change Film Festival 

With 400+ global submissions, A Show For A Change has awarded some of the most creative, groundbreaking, and inspiring stories highlighting social issues since launching its monthly festival in December 2017. The company’s mission is to celebrate socially impactful films through the art of storytelling and advocate for enduring social change. It embraces films that challenge the status quo and stand up for urgent causes like human rights, animal rights, and the environment. 

Learn more about our current projects and monthly global film festival at ashowforachange.com

Website: A Show For A Change

Twitter: @AShowForAChange 

Instagram: @AShowForAChange

Facebook: @AShowForAChange 

Hashtag: #AShowForAChange

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