Sprite Refreshing Films(TM) Casts a Spotlight on Creativity with Call for Aspiring Moviemakers
Nationwide Online Program Searches for Students to Ignite Film Industry with Creation of Short Films
ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Lights, camera, action! Sprite Refreshing Films kicks off a nationwide program in search of the next generation of creative minds to write, produce or direct a short film featuring a celebrity. Sprite(R), in partnership with Dreaming Tree Films, is providing youth a platform to showcase their bold imagination and innovative talent. Sprite Refreshing Films will work with six all-youth film crews and help them acquire valuable on-the-job experience and learn first-hand how to produce a movie with a celebrity.
"Sprite Refreshing Films encompasses what the Sprite brand is about, it sparks creativity among young people and encourages them to take on unique opportunities that they wouldn't find anywhere else," said Caren Pasquale Seckler, Vice President, Sparkling Non-Colas, Coca-Cola North America.
Now through Nov. 30, aspiring filmmakers are encouraged to visit SpriteRefreshingFilms.com to apply to be part of the film crew and students from select colleges and universities can submit a script or apply to be a staff intern. The writers selected will have their scripts made into short films, and the staff interns and film crew selected will work behind-the-scenes on the films, which will have the following theme: ingenuity takes the unexpected path and gets rewarded for it. Once completed, the six short films will be featured in pairs on the Sprite Refreshing Films website and entered into a nationwide text message voting competition. Sprite will also showcase behind-the-scenes footage that chronicles the making of the six finalists' films in more than 20,000 cinema screens across the country.
"We recognize the need for programs that offer up-and-coming young filmmakers across the country a unique chance to spark their creativity and play an integral role in the filmmaking process," said Stefanie Miller, Vice President, Strategic Partnership Marketing, Coca-Cola North America. "In addition, the winning team of young filmmakers will attend a screening at a film festival in June 2011 where their film will be showcased."
Sprite is offering youth the opportunity to be an integral part in the creation of a short film being produced in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, Miami or New York City. If they meet the requirements, youth can submit their screenplays or applications to apply for positions as:
-- Screenwriters - Sprite Refreshing Films is looking for student
screenplays from any genres that are influenced by the aforementioned
theme as outlined by Sprite. This is an opportunity for students ages 18
and older to see their script produced. Screenwriters studying any major
can submit screenplays if they are enrolled at one of the following
participating universities: Florida State University, Northwestern
University, University of Texas, Savannah College of Art and Design,
University of North Carolina School of the Arts, Columbia University
(Film School), University of Iowa, Indiana University, Elon University,
California State University Long Beach, University of Colorado (Denver)
and Chapman University. In addition to seeing their stories come to life
as one of six screenplays chosen for production, the selected
screenwriters will also win a $250 Best Buy gift card.
-- Film Crew Members- Students across the country ages 13 through 19, with
or without film experience, can apply online at
SpriteRefreshingFilms.com to be considered for a position on the film
crew. Selected program participants will be an active part of the
moviemaking process - from storyboarding, casting and location scouting,
to shooting and editing - all in seven action-packed days. Up to 60
teens will be selected to work as filmmakers and will receive Sprite
merchandise along with this special opportunity to put their creativity
into action.
-- Staff Interns-Second-year film students, ages 18 and older, who are
enrolled in one of the Sprite Refreshing Films schools noted above, or
who are alumni of Dreaming Tree Films programming, can apply for the
opportunity to participate in one of six short films as a director,
producer, technical director or behind-the-scenes documentarian.
Selected participants may receive college credit for their work on the
film set and also will receive paid travel, including hotel, flight, and
ground transportation during the production process.
The Sprite Refreshing Films applications will be reviewed, and screenwriters, staff interns and film crew members will be selected and notified in December 2010. The creation of the six short films will take place from January through February 2011 and will be posted from April through May 2011 at SpriteRefreshingFilms.com to be voted on by the public via text messaging. A Green Ribbon Panel of film industry professionals will also weigh in on judging, and once the judging and voting is completed, the winning film will be screened at a film festival in 2011. The winning film crew, screenwriter and staff interns will also be awarded a trip to the movie screening.
The Sprite Refreshing Films was formerly the Coca-Cola Refreshing Filmmaker's Award, which has been presented by Coca-Cola every year since 1998. The program will now continue through the Sprite brand as part of a multi-level platform that will engage participating youth in the production of films. "We're looking forward to carrying on this program through the Sprite brand and seeing the creative results these students produce," said Pasquale Seckler.
About The Coca-Cola Company
The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is the world's largest beverage company, refreshing consumers with more than 500 sparkling and still brands. Together with Coca-Cola, recognized as the world's most valuable brand, the Company's portfolio includes 14 billion dollar brands, including Diet Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Coca-Cola Zero, vitaminwater, Powerade, Minute Maid, Simply and Georgia Coffee. Globally, we are the No. 1 provider of sparkling beverages, juices and juice drinks and ready-to-drink teas and coffees. Through the world's largest beverage distribution system, consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy the Company's beverages at a rate of 1.6 billion servings a day. With an enduring commitment to building sustainable communities, our Company is focused on initiatives that protect the environment, conserve resources and enhance the economic development of the communities where we operate. For more information about our Company, please visit our website at www.thecoca-colacompany.com.
Source: The Coca-Cola Company
Released November 8, 2010