Oscars: Academy to Launch Summer Intern and Mentoring Program
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced Thursday a $250,000 gift from Walmart to the Academy Foundation in support of the organization’s educational and outreach initiatives.
Walmart, a sponsor of the 89th Oscars, continues its commitment to encourage and support emerging talent in the film community, The Academy said in a statement.
The Academy Foundation manages two of the most prestigious competitions for emerging talent in the motion picture industry—the Student Academy Awards, an international film competition for university students, and the Academy Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting, an international writing competition for aspiring screenwriters.
This summer, the Academy will also launch an entertainment industry-wide summer intern and mentoring program that will expand opportunities for young professionals from under-represented communities.
“We would like to thank Walmart for this generous gift, and are grateful for their support of our educational initiatives and shared commitment to mentor the next generation of storytellers,” said Academy CEO, Dawn Hudson.
“Our Oscars campaign celebrates creativity and storytelling, and we felt it was important to not only support filmmaking on the industry’s biggest night, but to lend support to future filmmakers,” said Tony Rogers, chief marketing officer, Walmart U.S.
Walmart’s gift will allow the Academy to advance its ongoing efforts to reach out and build a more diverse and inclusive talent pool of participants in all Academy programs, and begin to position promising young people for success in their respective fields.
Walmart will unveil its new campaign, “Behind Every Receipt, There’s a Great Story,” during the retailer’s first-ever sponsorship of the Oscars. The concept for the campaign is based on a single six-item receipt—when seen through an artistic lens—can tell an infinite number of stories.
Walmart teamed with directors Antoine Fuqua, Marc Forster, and Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg to create three short films, each with their own unique spin, that will premiere during the telecast’s commercials on Oscars Sunday, February 26, on the ABC Television Network.
Photo courtesy: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
