AARP and UCLA Encourage All Generations to Vote on Best Film as Part of The 'Stolen Dreams' Short-Film Competition

AARP and UCLA Encourage All Generations to Vote on Best Film as Part of The 'Stolen Dreams' Short-Film Competition

Eight Finalist Films Put Human Face on Critical Voter Issues of Our Time -- Health care and Financial Security

WASHINGTON, Sept. 18 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, AARP and the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television (TFT) open voting to the public in order to select the top student films that address two of the most critical domestic issues of our time, financial security and health care. AARP and UCLA TFT are proud to unveil the "Stolen Dreams" short-film competition, which was launched by these organizations to put an intergenerational, human face on the health care and financial security crisis in America. The UCLA students have written, directed, and produced short films that dramatize the situation. The films range in genre, from drama to comedy, animation to documentary, and showcase the consequences of a troubled health care and economic system.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070209/NYF043LOGO )

"These young filmmakers are remarkable and their films deserve to be seen and judged by a broad audience," said Emilio Pardo, Executive Vice President and Chief Brand Officer of AARP. "Through Divided We Fail, AARP is engaging millions of Americans around health care and financial security, and these films make these issues real for people of all generations in a way no other format can. Through the "Stolen Dreams" competition, we are tapping into the next generation's passion for the issues, as well as their creativity as storytellers. We encourage everyone to view these inspiring films and vote for their favorite."

From September 18 to October 18, the films will be online at http://www.stolendreams.com/ for public viewing and voting, along with in-depth profiles of the directors and production teams. Based on voting results, four films will be submitted to a judging panel that will meet and announce a winner on October 23 in Los Angeles, California. The winner will receive a $7,500 prize. The panel is made up of the following individuals: Steven Bochco (director, writer, and producer of hit shows such as Hill Street Blues, L.A. Law, NYPD Blue, and Raising the Bar), Reggie Hudlin (head of BET), Emilio Pardo of AARP, and Brad Silberling (director of Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events).

"The UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television is proud to be associated with this innovative competition," said Barbara Boyle, Chair of the School's Department of Film, Television and Digital Media, who spearheaded the competition on behalf of the school. "We have always believed that a medium of communication as powerful as film has a responsibility to confront the most difficult social challenges we face."

It's time we ensure health and long-term financial security for all. That's why AARP, Business Roundtable, the Service Employees International Union and the National Federation of Independent Business, are leading Divided We Fail, an initiative to give voice to millions of Americans who are tired of letting Washington gridlock stand in the way of affordable, quality health care and long-term financial security - the most pressing domestic issues facing our nation. Common sense solutions are needed, and everyone - individuals, businesses and government - has a role and a responsibility in ensuring health and financial security for all. Go to http://www.dividedwefail.org/ to learn more.

UCLA

The UCLA School of Theatre, Film and Television is located in Los Angeles, the entertainment capital of the world, and draws on industry leaders for its faculty, advisors and mentors. Each year, the faculty works diligently to hone and encourage the diverse talents of the school's 410 undergraduate and 390 graduate students. As a result, graduates have received many awards and accolades in the performing and visual arts, including Oscars, Emmys, and Tonys. The School strives not only to prepare its students for employment in the entertainment industry, but also to enable them to become pathfinders and leaders in their chosen field of study.

AARP

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates. We produce AARP The Magazine, the definitive voice for 50+ Americans and the world's largest-circulation magazine with over 33 million readers; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for AARP's 40 million members and Americans 50+; AARP Segunda Juventud, the only bilingual U.S. publication dedicated exclusively to the 50+ Hispanic community; and our website, AARP.org. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

For more information about AARP, please log on to http://www.aarp.org/ or call 1-800-our-AARP.

Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070209/NYF043LOGO
http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: AARP

CONTACT: Amanda Sobanet of AARP, +1-202-434-2624, ASobanet@aarp.org

Web Site: http://www.aarp.org/
http://www.dividedwefail.org/
http://www.stolendreams.com/

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