Teens Can Enter "Generation Next" Contest

Deadline Extended to December 13, 2013

The Generation Next Competition recognizes California college students studying film and television, journalism and social media for their authentic storytelling on mental health related social and emotional issues focused on underserved populations. 

Los Angeles, CA (Dec 2, 2013) – Entertainment Industries Council, Inc. (EIC) is pleased to announce that it has extended its deadline for the Generation Next Competition and encourages all film and television, journalism and social media students in California to apply on or before December 13, 2013, for their opportunity to play leading roles in changing the way people view mental health.  Generation Next, a program of the EIC, is facilitated by TEAM Up (Tools for Entertainment and Media) and supported by the California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA), an organization of county governments working to improve mental health among Californians. The purpose of this competition is to empower the next generation of content creators to use the power and influence of media to promote accurate and authentic portrayals of mental health in storytelling, news reporting and social media campaigns, by recognizing their immense talent.

“Our Generation Next team has been traveling throughout the state, introducing students and faculty to the opportunity and power of media, be it accurate reporting, authentic characters or effective social media, to reduce stigma and discrimination through authentic storytelling,” said Marie Gallo Dyak, Executive Vice President Program Services & Government Relations.

Schools participating in Generation Next include Chapman University, UCLA, USC, UCI, Cal State Long Beach, Cal State Northridge, Sacramento State, Humboldt State, Chico State, Loyola Marymount University, Cal State Fullerton, Cal Poly, San Diego State, San Jose State and community colleges across the state.

“I've been looking for an opportunity like [Generation Next] for sometime now and I am very excited to be a part of this competition. I've been personally struggling with my own mental health challenges for sometime now, as well as becoming whole with my identity as a Latino and someone who is looking for his place in the LGBTQ community,” said one participant from Cal State Long Beach.

“Mental illness can be a difficult topic to cover and one that is sometimes stereotyped in mass media such as film and television, in addition to the news media. People are so influenced by what they read, see and hear that it is our duty as journalists and filmmakers (aka storytellers) to present the topic of mental illness in a fair and accurate manner. It's time that more information is made available to storytellers so that they can make a positive impact on society,” said Stephanie Blumstein, Journalism Professor at California State University, Northridge.

The Generation Next competition will feature three winners – one from each of the three categories (film and television, journalism and social media). Each winner will be rewarded with $4,000 cash prizes and will receive recognition at the 2014 PRISM Awards Ceremony along with mentoring sessions with entertainment, journalism and social media professionals, as well as mental health experts. In addition to this, winners will have their student productions aired on EICnetwork.tv, a global internet television network and be given the opportunity to take part in a collaborative program with Active Minds, a mental health organization led by college students.