Vital Voices Film 'Kakenya' Wins Grand Prize in ViewChange.org Film Contest

WASHINGTON, Nov. 18, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- At the launch of ViewChange.org today, a new multimedia website created by Link TV to showcase stories about global development, the ViewChange Online Film Contest winners were announced, awarding a $25,000 grand prize for "Vital Voices: Kakenya," co-directed by New York filmmaker Aaron Kisner and animator Pistachios, with music by Dan Radlauer.

(Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20101118/DC05082 )

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20101118/DC05082 )

"Kakenya" is a short animated film that tells the story of Kakenya Ntaiya, who overcomes obstacles in making her simple dream come true — opening the first primary school for girls in her Maasai village in Kenya. The prize also includes $5,000 for winning in the category "Overcoming Conflict."

"This recognition adds to one of my most rewarding experiences — the chance I've had to share in Kakenya's story," said filmmaker Aaron Kisner. "I continue to be inspired by her dedication, and I'm proud that the prize money will benefit the girls in her school, the Kakenya Center for Excellence." 

ViewChange, together with Link TV, launched the online film competition to discover what is being done around the world to meet the Millennium Development Goals set by the United Nations. More than 136 films were entered under six categories: sustainability, innovation, overcoming conflict, empowerment, leadership and governance, and local/global partnerships, all to inspire and motivate the public to take action in eradicating extreme poverty by 2015.

The contest offered a $20,000 grand prize and a $5,000 prize for the winner of each category. The finalists in each category were chosen by online voters, and the winners were determined by a panel of judges including Gael Garcia Bernal, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Danny Glover, Daniel K. Inouye, Angelique Kidjo, Charles Annenberg Weingarten, and Wim Wenders.

"When I received the call from Aaron that our film had won an award, I could not believe it," said Kakenya Ntaiya. "I was stunned speechless. When he went on to tell me that the award came with $25,000 that Vital Voices was going to donate to the school, I was overjoyed. The money will make a huge impact on our girls."

"We believe in empowering women with the tools they need to safeguard human rights, expand economic empowerment and increase political participation around the world," says Vital Voices President and CEO Alyse Nelson. "We've been telling stories of extraordinary women leaders for over a decade. Link TV and ViewChange.org are wonderful ways to help share these successes, that when you invest in women, you really do improve the world."

Vital Voices Global Partnership

Vital Voices Global Partnership is the preeminent non-governmental organization (NGO) that identifies, trains and empowers emerging women leaders and social entrepreneurs around the globe, enabling them to create a better world for us all. Its international staff and team of over 1,000 partners, pro bono experts and leaders, including senior government, corporate and NGO executives, have trained and mentored more than 8,000 emerging women leaders from over 127 countries in Asia, Africa, Eurasia, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Middle East since 1997. These women have returned home to train and mentor more than 500,000 additional women and girls in their communities. Vital Voices' mission is to identify, invest in and bring visibility to extraordinary women around the world by unleashing their leadership potential to transform lives and accelerate peace and prosperity in their communities.

Contact: Ann Hoffman, Vital Voices (202) 446-0507, [email protected]

SOURCE Vital Voices Global Partnership