AT&T, re:imagine/ATL and the Atlanta Police Foundation’s At-Promise Center announced the winner of the Westside Storytelling Competition, an intensive creative industry program focused on highlighting aspiring young creators from Atlanta’s historic Westside.

The Westside Storytelling Competition – a component of AT&T’s new initiative Believe Atlanta^SM  – taught participating youth film and digital entertainments skills and encouraged them to share their pride in – and tell the stories of – Atlanta’s Westside.

AT&T, the Atlanta Police Foundation’s At-Promise Center and re:imagine/ATL are proud to announce “Where I’m From” as the winner of the Westside Storytelling Competition. “Where I’m From” shares the meaningful impact of mentors, who support by offering hope, knowledge and opportunity to explore new pathways to success. The students also created “Time Capsule” and “Restoration.”

“Georgia’s growth in the film and digital entertainment industries is unprecedented,” said Venessa Harrison, president of AT&T Georgia. “At AT&T, we know every child has the potential to achieve something great. We are proud to work with re:imagine/ATL and the At-Promise Center, preparing our youth – tomorrow’s leaders – with skills needed to compete in one of Georgia’s highest demand industries.”

All three student-created videos highlight the importance of community and collaboration, key components to helping ensure the Westside continues its path of historic transformation and growth.

“Our vision for One Atlanta is rooted in thriving and livable neighborhoods,” said Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. “AT&T’s investment in Atlanta’s youth provides a creative opportunity for residents to share the history of our communities, while elevating voices that have often gone unheard.”

The Westside Storytelling Competition helped equip the next generation of storytellers by training Westside youth to create content and by connecting them to a network of industry support. 

“Westside youth learned film and digital entertainment skills firsthand and, most importantly, explored new pathways to success,” said Dave Wilkinson, President and CEO of the Atlanta Police Foundation. “The At-Promise initiative provides opportunities that help prevent and divert youth from engaging in criminal activity and drive students to achieve success. The Westside Storytelling Competition offered a creative way to empower and inspire the next generation to find their voices and connect with leaders in the entertainment industry.’

As part of the experience, the winning film crew was given the opportunity to attend a guided behind-the-scenes tour of DIRECTV Super Saturday Night, where non-traditional learning continued. The tour included instruction on stage direction, lighting, sound, visuals, experiential and event design from the AT&T Hello Lab production team and viewing of the 72,000 square foot venue that housed the experience as well as the production trucks where the event was broadcast live on Audience Network and online via Twitter.

AT&T, re:imagine/ATL and the Atlanta Police Foundation’s At-Promise Center are passionate about the strength and success of Atlanta and are proud to help cultivate opportunities for tomorrow’s leaders to explore pathways to accomplish their dreams.