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.
● 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?
● 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
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