Trey Pollard trey.pollard@sierraclub.org
Meet the Activists
New York, NY -- Acclaimed filmmaker Darren Aronofsky has teamed up with Generation Z activists from all over the country who are calling on their peers to vote in the midterm elections and the Sierra Club Voter Education Fund. Produced by Aronofsky’s Protozoa Pictures and Chromista, the video features people active in movements for indigenous rights, gun control, rights for the disabled, immigrant rights, climate justice, and transgender equality, among others, passionately advocating for participation in this November’s election.
“First time voters have the power to make a massive impact in the upcoming midterm elections, but 18-20 year olds are part of a demographic that has historically failed to participate in National Elections. It’s time to change that,” said Aronofsky. “We are working with a dynamic group of activists from all over the country, who care about an array of causes, including Delaney Tarr, David Hogg, Chella Man, Xiuhtezcatl Martinez, and Gavin Grimm, and filmed them speaking about what issues will be most important when casting their votes next month.”
Protozoa Pictures/Chromista travelled across the country to capture the messages from the activists included in the video. The activists who participated include Brinkley Smithers, Chelsea Turner, Delaney Reynolds, Jackson Hinkle, David Hogg, Delaney Tarr, Edna Chavez, Gavin Grimm, Justice Jamal Jones, Chella Man, Lisbeth Chavarria, Sandra Cornejo, Lulu Cerone, Ohitika Lewis, and Xiuhtezcatl Martinez.
“The passion these activists share about their causes is contagious. All of them are between the ages of 18-20. None of them were eligible to vote in 2016. But now they can be heard, and all of them are passionate about voting,” Aronofsky said. “We hope their activism inspires Generation Z to get to the polls on November 6 and speak up for the issues that are important to all of us.”
Now, supported by the Sierra Club Voter Education Fund, the ad will be distributed broadly across the country from today until November 6, with targeted digital promotion reaching potential young voters aged 18-22 on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. Glow Social Media provided pro bono social media consulting services to Chromista and Protozoa.
“These activists are not the leaders of tomorrow, they are leaders of today. Their work is inspiring for anyone who is fighting for safer, more equitable communities for all and their call to action deserves to be heard not just by their peers, but by those in power who have been ignoring the future of our country for too long,” said Michael Brune, the Sierra Club’s executive director.
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About Protozoa
Protozoa Pictures is Academy Award®-nominated director Darren Aronofsky's production company. Founded in 1996, based in Brooklyn and headed by Aronofsky, partners are Ari Handel, and Scott Franklin. The company has first look deals with Paramount Pictures to develop films and Fox Networks Group to develop television. Credits include the critically-acclaimed films: mother!, Jackie, Noah, Black Swan, The Wrestler, The Fountain, Requiem for a Dream, and π. Most recently Protozoa produced the television series One Strange Rock, which aired on the National Geographic channel, and White Boy Rick, directed by Yann Demange.
About Chromista
Chromista was founded in 2013 by director Darren Aronofsky and partners Scott Franklin, Sandy Haddad, and Ted Robbins and has quickly evolved into one of the top up and coming creative content production companies in the industry. Chromista has collaborated with some of the most innovative advertising agencies and brands including Fujifilm, Sonos, Acura, and Amazon. Awards include Cannes Lions, Clios, D&AD, One Show and AICP.
About the Sierra Club Voter Education Fund
Sierra Club Voter Education Fund seeks to raise key environmental issues in the discussions around elections.
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3 million members and supporters. In addition to helping people from all backgrounds explore nature and our outdoor heritage, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.