ΑΤΗΕΝS — During the SNF Nostos Conference’s Youth Discussion today, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) announced a new global partnership with award-winning film nonprofit Ghetto Film School (GFS) to continue to empower young voices in telling positive stories involving technology. Humanity Inspires Tech, which will feature a short film challenge, is open to all filmmakers ages 14 to 21, and continues the exchanges at Nostos as part of a yearlong initiative to explore technology and humanity in the modern age. The program will be administered via the Humanity Inspires Tech minisite, and submissions for the film challenge will be accepted starting on August 26, 2021. 

Creatives are invited to tell stories about technology creating connection and expanding our humanity in two minutes or less. All short-form content will be accepted, including TikToks, film, PSAs, photo montage, animation, and more. Following submissions, GFS and SNF will choose six winning finalists. Winners will receive a three thousand dollar production award and a spot in the GFS short film completion lab, which will consist of a 10-week mentorship program with industry professionals, including award-winning editors, colorists, and sound designers. 

“The people who will be most affected as technological change reshapes society in the decades to come are, ironically, some of those whose voices are least represented in the conversation,” said SNF Director of Programs & Strategic Initiatives Stelios Vassilakis. “This challenge is an opportunity for young filmmakers to widen the frame of what we think is possible, open our eyes to realities that will feel obvious once we see them, and imagine optimistic futures we can work toward together. We can’t think of a better way to mark 25 years of grantmaking at SNF.”

“We are excited to start this new venture with SNF as they celebrate their 25-year anniversary. It’s an honor to partner with an organization whose work has had such a positive impact on the communities it serves. The intersection of humanity and technology is an important story to tell and we hope this initiative inspires young innovators to share their points of view in a new and compelling way,” said Sharese Bullock Bailey, Chief Strategy and Partnerships Officer and Principal of SCOPE, the consulting arm of GFS.

To further connect humanity and technology through the eyes of young visionaries, the program will also feature a minisite with masterclasses and creative tools for artists to use during their filmmaking process. For more information and submission instructions, please visit snf25filmchallenge.org.