A division of the University of Southern California that counts Walt Disney Studios and other major film production companies among its partners has announced a $25,000 grant program for student film projects promoting abortion rights.
The Annenberg Inclusion Initiative, a think tank contained within the university’s Annenberg School for Communications and Journalism, announced the grant program last month as part of a “new focus on reproductive health and political storytelling.”
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The initiative specifically cited the June U.S. Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization that overturned Roe v. Wade and ended constitutional protections for abortion as a catalyst for the new effort.
As part of the initiative’s “new focus,” it announced “a reproductive rights accelerator program” that will provide at least three students with $25,000 to create films highlighting the issue. The effort is funded by the New York-based nonprofit group Women Moving Millions.
“With the curtailing of reproductive rights, it is not only necessary to find legal solutions to protect marginalized communities, but it is essential to educate and inform audiences about these topics,” Stacy Smith, founder of the Annenberg Inclusion Initiative, said in a press release. “Entertainment has a unique ability to reach viewers and provide that education. Our goal is to illuminate how many opportunities there are to use storytelling as a tool to expand the conversation and create substantial attitude and policy change.”
The new program earned a ringing endorsement from Planned Parenthood, the nation’s largest abortion provider, which called the program “an invaluable tool.”
“The entertainment community plays a critical role in educating people about their sexual and reproductive health and rights, including abortion,” Caren Spruch, the national director of arts and entertainment engagement at Planned Parenthood Federation of America, said in the announcement. “With Roe v. Wade overturned and birth control, LGBQT+ and other rights threatened, this new Annenberg Inclusion Initiative research project will provide an invaluable tool to ensure audiences are reached with medically and legislatively accurate storytelling about these issues.”
The Annenberg Inclusion Initiative counts a number of major corporations and organizations among its partners, including Walt Disney Studios, Google, Sony Pictures, NBCUniversal, and Universal Music Group.
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In its press release announcing its new mission, the initiative touted support from high-profile actresses Meryl Streep, Kerry Washington, and Eva Longoria. Support also came from Universal Music Publishing Group CEO Jody Gerson and Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-TX).
The Washington Examiner has reached out to the University of Southern California and the Annenberg School for comment.
