AT&T and WarnerMedia Commit to Elevating Diverse Voices

AT&T and WarnerMedia earlier this year joined Ghetto Film School for a nationwide challenge called Film Credits. Young filmmakers from all backgrounds were asked to reflect on their lives and submit short stories and videos about their determination and action.

Film Credits received more than 100 submissions. To celebrate these budding filmmakers, we’re showcasing the three winning films from the challenge on a new site called Elevating Diverse Voices. The site is designed to highlight content and experiences created through AT&T’s and WarnerMedia’s media making programs.

Elliot Wright, 19, of Brooklyn, NY, created "A Series of Substitutions", a story about searching for authentic human connection during quarantine. "Sprout," a film that chronicles the story of an unhappy, unfulfilled but hopeful woman on the pursuit of happiness, was created by 15-year-old Jahna Lathan of Los Angeles, CA. And "Time is of the Essence," a film and animation created by 16-year-old New Jersey student Samiksha Thakur, follows a young woman who is trying to "make it up" to a friend after months of cancelled plans as a result of the coronavirus.

“We’re providing storytellers a platform to amplify their voices,” said Charlene Lake, SVP, corporate social responsibility and Chief Sustainability Officer, AT&T. “It’s critical for a modern media company such as ours to cultivate the next generation of writers, producers and videographers who are creating content that mirrors our society.”

In addition to winners from Film Credits, we’re launching the Elevating Diverse Voices site with educational videos created by CNN 10 for students in the Youth Voices Collective. The Collective is a collaboration between AT&T and CNN to support student expression and teach writing and journalism skills. It includes leading literacy non-profits 826 National, VOX ATL and Six Feet of Separation.

"Media and entertainment deepen public conversation on subjects that matter," said Dennis Williams, SVP, corporate social responsibility at WarnerMedia. "Storytelling empowers different points of view needed to make informed decisions."

Please visit Elevating Diverse Voices to see content and experiences created through AT&T and WarnerMedia programs.