Break dancers + paint + a soundtrack remix = an award-winning short film
for Sprite Films™ finalist Dean Coots. After careful
consideration from a panel of film industry professionals and public
online polling, Sprite Films has its first double winner in the
program’s history. As one of four filmmaker finalists, Elon University
graduate Dean Coots wins both the Green Ribbon Panel and Fan Favorite
Awards in the 2013 Sprite Films nationwide film competition.
The Green Ribbon Panel critiqued the technical aspects of the four short
films that were developed from script-to-screen by student filmmaker
finalists from participating colleges and universities including
Columbia College Chicago, Savannah College of Art and Design and
University of California, Los Angeles. Inspired by an aspect of urban
culture, “Break the Night” was written and directed by Coots and
produced by Michael Tahan. The short film takes the first place Green
Ribbon Panel Award and Coots wins a $30,000 contract job to work
alongside Sprite and The Coca-Cola Company brand executives to
develop content.
America voted for their favorite of the Sprite Films finalist
shorts at Sprite.com and selected “Break the Night” as the Fan Favorite
Award winner. Coots wins a special trip to attend AFI Fest, the
America’s Film Institute’s (AFI) film festival – an annual celebration
of international cinema from modern masters and emerging filmmakers –
Nov. 7-14, 2013 in Los Angeles. Sprite is also donating $5,000 to
the film department at Elon University where Coots recently graduated
with a bachelor of arts in cinema studies.
“You like me, you really like me!” said Coots, who hails from Darien,
Conn. “I am so glad ‘Break the Night’ could reach, entertain and move so
many people. Working with Sprite Films has been a career shaping
experience and winning both the Green Ribbon Panel and Fan Favorite
Awards is just an unbelievable honor. I could not have won without the
support of my friends, family, the team at Elon University, including
Paul Castro and my exceptionally talented film crew. I am
extraordinarily excited to continue my career with the opportunities
these awards will undoubtedly bring.”
The Sprite Films program was formerly the Coca-Cola® Refreshing
Filmmaker’s™ Award, which was presented annually by Coca-Cola beginning
in 1998. In the program’s inaugural year, Paul Castro was a student
filmmaker finalist who has since become a professional screenwriter, a
full-time faculty member in the film department at University of
California, Los Angeles and today, a professor of cinema in the School
of Communications at Elon University. This past year, Professor Castro
provided one-on-one guidance in the 2013 Sprite Films script
entry and editing process with many of his Elon students including Coots.
"The Sprite Films program champions world-class education
and empowers the next generation of cinematic storytellers,” said
Professor Castro. “As a past participant, it is so gratifying and
meaningful to see one of my students win today. As a writer and
director, Dean Coots is a rare talent and a humble warrior indeed. His
raw talent, coupled with our turbocharged Elon University student film
crew, was nothing shy of miraculous. The result of that cohesive
collaboration was a compelling short film. We are all very grateful for
the opportunity provided by Sprite Films."
Sprite Films spotlighted the 2013 program and the finalist
filmmakers in movie theaters across the country in August with
consumer-facing promotional materials such as branded cups, popcorn bags
and theatre displays.
“The Sprite Films program engages the next generation of creative
minds with a rare opportunity to learn valuable on-set experience while
providing a nationwide platform to express their authentic
points-of-view,” said Kimberly Paige, Assistant Vice President, Sprite.
“We recognize the need for programs that offer young filmmakers across
the country with the chance to create a film masterpiece from beginning
to end. Dean Coots answered the challenge and today joins a renowned
group of past Sprite Films winners who will undeniably go on to
make their self-expression known in the world of film.”
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. Led by Coca-Cola, the world's most valuable brand, our
Company's portfolio features 16 billion-dollar brands including Diet
Coke®, Fanta®, Sprite®, Coca-Cola Zero™,
vitaminwater®, Powerade®, Minute Maid®, Simply®,
Georgia® and Del Valle®. Globally, we are the No.
1 provider of sparkling beverages, ready-to-drink coffees, and juices
and juice drinks. Through the world's largest beverage distribution
system, consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy our beverages at a
rate of 1.8 billion servings a day. With an enduring commitment to
building sustainable communities, our Company is focused on initiatives
that reduce our environmental footprint, support active, healthy living,
create a safe, inclusive work environment for our associates, and
enhance the economic development of the communities where we operate.
Together with our bottling partners, we rank among the world's top 10
private employers with more than 700,000 system associates. For more
information, visit www.thecoca-colacompany.com,
follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/CocaColaCo
or check out our blog, Coca-Cola Unbottled, at www.coca-colablog.com.
Copyright Business Wire 2013