News Summary
Grand Rapids teens Caleb Jesse and Daniel Ewer have made a significant impact by winning a national youth film competition that focuses on food justice. Their short film, titled ‘Apples,’ explores the themes of equity and access to food, showcasing creative solutions implemented by young people in their communities. The competition, hosted by Mosaic Film Experience, invites teens to use mobile devices for filmmaking. As top ten winners, they will be honored at a red-carpet event in Los Angeles and will receive monetary awards aimed at supporting their future storytelling endeavors.
Grand Rapids Teens Win National Film Competition for Food Justice
Grand Rapids teens Caleb Jesse and Daniel Ewer have been recognized as top ten winners in a national youth film competition focused on food justice. Their short film, titled “Apples,” delves into the intersection of equity, access, and community through the lens of food, earning them acclaim among submissions from across the nation.
Details of the Competition
The competition, hosted by Mosaic Film Experience in partnership with Newman’s Own Foundation, is named “Nourishing Narratives: Cultivating Youth Stories For Change.” It invited students aged 10 to 18 to create short films exclusively shot and edited on mobile devices, with the aim of highlighting food-related challenges and the creative solutions young people are implementing within their communities.
Caleb and Daniel’s film distinguished itself from numerous entries due to its compelling storytelling and innovative cinematic approach. Their remarkable achievement places them within a distinguished group of ten young filmmakers who will showcase their work at a red-carpet celebration on August 2 at the Paramount Theatre in Los Angeles.
Acknowledgments and Rewards
As part of their recognition, each winner is set to receive a $1,000 award along with a prize package designed to support their ongoing storytelling endeavors. This award is intended to foster future projects while encouraging the artistic voices of young creators.
The Mission of Mosaic Film Experience
Mosaic Film Experience was established in Grand Rapids in 2012 as a nonprofit organization dedicated to reimagining education through storytelling, digital media, and hands-on experiences. The Nourishing Narratives competition aligns with Mosaic’s mission to empower underrepresented youth and provide them with creative platforms that can prepare them for careers in emerging industries.
Background of the Initiative
This year’s competition launched as a tribute to what would have been Paul Newman’s 100th birthday. The Newman’s Own Foundation has a notable history of commitment, contributing over $600 million to support children facing adversity, including critical efforts focused on food equity and youth empowerment.
The partnership between Mosaic Film Experience and Newman’s Own Foundation enables powerful and diverse voices to contribute to important conversations surrounding food justice, with Alex Amouyel, President and CEO of Newman’s Own Foundation, expressing enthusiasm about their collaboration on this vital initiative.
Broader Impact of the Competition
This year, the winning films also included contributions from young filmmakers in California, Connecticut, Kentucky, New York, Washington D.C., and Georgia. The themes represented in the other winning films encompassed various relevant subjects such as sustainability, food waste, education, community gardening, and the rising costs of food. Clips from each of the winning films can be previewed on the Mosaic Film Experience website, providing a glimpse into the impactful narratives being shared by the next generation of storytellers.
Further Information
For additional details about Mosaic Film Experience and to view the winning films, interested parties may visit mosaicfilmexperience.com. The spotlight on young filmmakers like Caleb and Daniel reflects a hopeful future for storytelling as a means of addressing critical social issues.
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Additional Resources
- Grand Rapids Magazine: Grand Rapids Filmmakers Win National Honors
- Second Wave Media: Youth Film Contest Empowers Stories on Food Justice
- Fox 17: Mosaic Film Experience’s Mobile Film Contest
- Wikipedia: Food Justice
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Film
