Day: November 1, 2021

The #MyJustice Film Contest (presented by Odyssey Impact & sponsored by MTV Entertainment Group) has announced its winners for the Global Competition. 

(New York, NY October 26, 2021) Odyssey Impact is proud to announce the 10 finalists and grand prize winner who will all have their films showcased in the Justice Film Festival in New York City in Spring 2022.  All finalists will receive $1,000.00 in cash prizes, with the grand prize winner receiving an additional $1,000.00 in matching funds from MTV Entertainment Group, and the top five finalists will receive a year-long mentorship with a veteran film industry professional.

Grand Prize Winner

Sadae Marie Hori (29)

Never Again 

 

Competition Winners

 

Maliha Tariq (30) & Ahmad Saleh (27) 

#Unsheltered

 

Michaela Kayal (22)

Addressing the Cliche

 

Kennis Keying Chen (27) 

命運 Destiny

 

Jose Flores-Jimenez (18)

In the End, Ascend 

 

Jennifer Giardina (22)

 It All Starts at Home 

 

Emily Elizabeth Fisihetau (30)

Safety for Babies

 

Olivia Sarah Rotter (20)

The Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom

 

 

Victoria Duncan (27)

The World Today 

 

Justice Khor (28)

Uncle Joe 

“Odyssey Impact is delighted to announce the winners of its #MyJustice Film Contest. Our staff and contest jury were incredibly impressed by the winners’ passion for social justice and their storytelling skills. These young changemakers used their artistic talents to spotlight a range of pressing social issues impacting their communities, and we are thrilled that the #MyJustice Film Contest could provide our winners with mentorship, financial support, and exposure. Odyssey Impact hopes that this opportunity supports their future careers in the arts, and we are excited to help pave the way for these new, unique voices to enter the documentary film industry. We have no doubt that they will inspire long-lasting change in their communities and beyond,” said Jenise Ogle, Director of Diversity, Inclusion & Multicultural Impact at Odyssey Impact

“Never Again is about the importance of keeping an open dialogue in our communities about race and racism. It is easy to shut out people with opposing viewpoints on social media by ‘unfollowing’ them, but my fear is that in doing so, we stop having these vital conversations.  The #MyJustice Film Contest has inspired me to use my voice and activism through film. My hope is to encourage these discussions in person to proactively create real change in our communities,” said Sadae Marie Hori, competition winner.

About Odyssey Impact®

Odyssey Impact drives social change through innovative storytelling and media, connecting faith and secular communities. Stories, when presented correctly, can shift perspectives, build bridges, and foster empathy. Nobody understands that better than Odyssey Impact. For over 30 years, we have worked with a diverse array of communities and stakeholders to move the world forward using documentary film. 

For more information visit: https://www.odyssey-impact.org/

CONNECT:  https://www.odyssey-impact.org/myjustice-contest

The TV and film industry has seen many talented individuals position themselves as major players in the mainstream. Marcus Churchboi Askew is among these talented individuals carving out a name for himself as a super-producing powerhouse and TV/film composer. The renowned composer entered the industry as a session musician to Grammy Award-winning writers and producers in the fall of 2009.

Throughout his storied career, Marcus Churchboi Askew worked with artists such as Yung Joc, Day 26, Elle Varner, Jon B, Marsha Ambrosia, and Kehlani, to name a few. He also ghost-produced two Grammy-nominated albums and teamed up with the super production team Urban Rockstarz. The collaboration pushed him to take a leap of faith and move to Los Angeles, California, where much of his success is currently based.

Marcus Churchboi Askew garnered over 150 TV/film placements for major networks such as VH1, BET, MTV. He also did the theme song for the hit TV show R&B Divas LA. His astounding credentials speak for themselves. He obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Music Technology, a Master’s degree in Sociology and Divinity with a concentration in Spiritual Outreach, and a doctorate in Music Interpretation with a specialization in Self-Actualization. 

“I learned to get over what other people think, but it took me a while to overcome this challenge,” said Marcus Churchboi Askew. “When your sense of pleasure and satisfaction are derived from comparing yourself to others, you are no longer the master of your own destiny. While it’s impossible to turn off your reactions to what others think of you, you don’t have to hold up your accomplishments to anyone else’s, and you can always take people’s opinions with a grain of salt. That way, no matter what other people are thinking or doing, your self-worth comes from within.”

Marcus Churchboi Askew specializes in music composition, music production, songwriting, piano techniques, and overall music architecture. With his solid reputation in the industry, he has garnered a lot of buzz within the industry through word-of-mouth referrals and client testimonials. He has been featured in various mainstream news outlets such as FOX, NBC, and CBS. He has grown his personal brand through the cultivation of his skills and expertise, allowing him to succeed in the TV/film industry and more.

“If you do a great job with one artist, it is likely they will tell their friends, family, and even colleagues when asked. People will typically choose a brand/person that has been recommended by someone they trust, over a brand/person without that personal connection,” he shared.

Marcus hopes to inspire individuals with his massive success. Through his passion, hard work and commitment to his craft, he hopes to motivate other individuals to pursue success. In the near future, he envisions himself getting more awards and inspiring the world through business and music. He hopes that his audience will know that success is all about passion, forging their own path, enjoying the moment and attaining mastery.

To know more about the remarkable Marcus Churchboi Askew, make sure to follow him on Instagram. Check out this wiki entry for more information.

After going through several injuries from a sport he has loved for most of his life, Kahlil Simplis had an epiphany: that he was made for something else. And so, realizing that his purpose lay in making music and inspiring others through his deep lyrics, the artist started to work right away. Today, he is ready to conquer the music industry, beginning with his new EP called Safehouse.

Safehouse EP contains songs that narrate the story of Kahlil Simplis and a woman he loves but cannot be with because of different circumstances. The artist shared that the first song in the EP called “Safehouse” is dedicated to the woman, letting her know that he can be her safe space, a haven that will always welcome her with open arms. 

Safehouse EP will also feature other masterfully crafted songs, including “Been Playing,” “Options,” “Skin,” “Up To Me,” “Making It Easy,” “Nonsense,” and “If I Knew Then.” All of which are also telling the love story he shares with the woman and the things he goes through every day because of her. Every song tells of a different scenario and will surely take listeners along an interesting journey about two people who are caught up in the complicated net of life.

Kahlil Simplis takes inspiration from different music industry giants, such as Drake, Kanye, Lil Wayne, and Nipsey Hussle. Still, he never fails to inject something of his own into his music. Although he wants the physical accolades for his craft, topping billboards, selling out albums, and whatnot, what the artist indeed aims to achieve from his career is to inspire others and spread a positive message. 

“I’ve always been in love with music, but it wasn’t until after my career-ending injuries that I decided to pursue music as my career,” Kahlil Simplis said. “I wrote poetry during my depression that came with those injuries, and while finding myself in a lost state, music became the outlet I needed to express myself, how I was feeling, and where I was most happy. The studio became a sanctuary, and I haven’t looked back ever since,” the artist added further.

Kahlil Simplis saw how music makes people feel uplifted. “I know music saves lives; it saved mine at certain points in life,” said the artist. Because of this, he feels an immense responsibility to express himself to be the voice for other people. He wants his music to speak to those who have been bottling up their emotions for a long time and encourage them to just let loose and be themselves.

Growing up, Kahlil Simplis loved playing basketball, which instilled the value of hard work within him. He shared that the sport became a crucial part of his growth and taught him to never fall into distractions in order to excel. Today, he applies everything he learned in the court to all aspects of his life, whether personal or music. 

“After my injuries, I realized my purpose was greater than just me being a really good basketball player and was about making a change in this world without a ball. I always knew I wasn’t put here to just work a normal job or live a normal life, and it wasn’t until basketball was taken from me that I was able to tap in with myself on a spiritual, more deeper level, that I was put here to spread a message,” said Kahlil Simplis.

“All the things in my life at that point were leading me straight into pursuing a music career, so I took the signs and told myself, I gave most of my life to this sport, so if I can’t give my all to the hoop, I’m going to give my all to this music because of my love for it and see it all the way through,” the artist said further. 

Stay updated with Kahlil Simplis on Instagram, and be sure to stream his Safehouse EP here.