<![CDATA[AwareNow - All Official Selections]]>Thu, 05 Mar 2026 12:26:11 -0500Weebly<![CDATA[JUGEND]]>Tue, 20 Jul 2021 20:33:51 GMThttps://www.awarenowmedia.com/all-official-selections/jugend
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"It’s interesting how lessons in fiction can produce empathy in reality. Through two paralleled stories told in the multi-cultural fiction novel, Jugend, author Aalia Lanius seeks to shatter stereotypes. Blinders off with a novel that challenges stereotypes and champions unity."
Allié McGuire
Co-Founder of Awareness Ties
]]><![CDATA[FEAR OF RAIN]]>Tue, 20 Jul 2021 19:45:42 GMThttps://www.awarenowmedia.com/all-official-selections/fear-of-rain
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​"Film is a powerful medium not only to entertain but to educate and empower. In ‘Fear of Rain’, director Castille Landon does all three through the specific mental health lens of schizophrenia. In this film, a girl living with schizophrenia struggles with terrifying hallucinations as she begins to suspect her neighbor has kidnapped a child. The only person who believes her is Caleb - a boy she isn't even sure exists. To be trapped in your mind unsure of what’s real and what’s not is a nightmares for some. For others, it’s a reality that this film brilliantly portrays."
Allié McGuire
Co-Founder of Awareness Ties

THE TRAILER


THE AWARENOW FEATURE

]]><![CDATA[SEXABILITY]]>Tue, 20 Jul 2021 18:24:01 GMThttps://www.awarenowmedia.com/all-official-selections/sexability
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"​Can art inspire the redefinition of ‘sexy’ to include disability? Absolutely. With ‘Sexability’ and so many other pieces by Kam Redlawsk, definitions of beauty and desire are being refined. Bravely and boldly, Kam’s work speaks to the many issues that come with being disabled, while sharing the intrinsic beauty of the individual despite the disability."
Allié McGuire
Co-Founder of Awareness Ties

THE ART

Visit Kam's website to view more of her work, read her artist statements and purchase her artwork: www.kamredlawsk.com


THE ARTIST

Los Angeles artist and writer, Kam Redlawsk, illustrates moments from her life, primarily thoughts on living with a very rare and degenerative muscle-wasting disorder known as HIBM, Hereditary Inclusion Body Myopathy (today known as GNE Myopathy). HIBM/GNEM began taking over Kam's body at the age of 20 but in hindsight, symptoms began much earlier. 

Born an orphan in South Korea, she would learn 20 years later about her rare condition known as a rare disease. She is one of millions that have an orphan disease, but one of 1,000 to 3,000 thousand worldwide who have HIBM/GNEM. Kam went from kicking soccer balls and running to making use of canes, leg braces and now a full-time wheelchair since 2011. This muscle-wasting condition will keep moving until it seizes every ounce of her body with the prognosis of complete quadriplegia.
Kam has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Automotive Industrial Design from Detroit's College for Creative Studies. Since, she has expanded her design repertoire to product design, creative branding and art direction, graphic design, nonprofit, advocacy and now illustration. She has designed an array of products ranging from cell phones, toys, electronics, and even contributed to the world's cheapest prosthetic knee joint for under-served countries.

Kam is a self-taught illustrator and writer. Out of the necessity to be understood, she began visually articulating her personal experiences with HIBM/GNEM to share what it is like to live with a debilitating condition that doesn't stop. Sometimes an image can describe what words cannot.

Kam has been a public advocate for rare diseases, disability, ableism and inclusion for over 12 years. She publicly documents her wheelchair travels around the world and California oninstagram to encourage people with disabilities and the able-bodied world to live more, as well as disproving societal myths that we are incapable. She is a published KoreAm Journal columnist and many other publications. She is multi-award winning designer and artist who now uses her design skills and life experiences on creative projects that elevate and celebrate disability and inclusion in order to educate a society that has very little disability representation. Some of her current projects include working on her first Children’s Book “Monster and Me”, inspired by her rare disease, struggle and acceptance, and Chair Devils, chibi-inspired characters meant to celebrate the disability community.
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Through old journal excerpts, writing, video journal and design she attempts to give an honest portrayal of her every day struggles, triumphs and her journey. From the funny, the good, the bad, the migration of her weakness, to being a designer, to a constantly forming perspective and a spirit that only grows despite her deteriorating body. Most of all she hopes those who have disabilities and struggles will see they can still live a fulfilling life.
]]><![CDATA[SOUL MATE]]>Tue, 20 Jul 2021 17:28:34 GMThttps://www.awarenowmedia.com/all-official-selections/soul-mate
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"A song that embodies the sanctity of human connection and the sacred bond that is untouchable even by death, Soul Mate is a song that is felt, not merely heard. The official video presents another layer and level of our humanity in an unforgettable story that illustrates love at its best and hate at its worst. Despite lived tragedies, there remains hope in our realities sustained by love."
Allié McGuire
Co-Founder of Awareness Ties

THE SONG


​THE LYRICS

Feels like we've lived a hundred lives before
Together and then decided on one more
Here on earth where everything is cruel
'Cause no one knows that this is just a school

For what it's worth, I'd die with you again
100 more times multiplied by ten
I hope I'll always have you in my mind
So that I know to find you every time

Soul mate, soul mate, soul mate
Won't you dance here with me while it grows late?
Put your head on my chest, that's your safe place
We'll fall deeper in love every day

From life unto life and for always
I'll be there when you need me around
When night finally comes
And the leaves have fallen from the tree
Baby, you'll have me
Soul mate

Maybe there's not a brightness in this dark
Other than what is burning in this heart
But if we fight to keep this thing alive
Pretty sure there's no end to us in sight

I'll follow you into whatever is next
Or you can follow me whatever's best
First let's dance the dance that lovers do
Before we go to sleep and start anew

Soul mate, soul mate, soul mate
Won't you dance here with me while it grows late?
Put your head on my chest, that's your safe place
We'll fall deeper in love every day

From life unto life and for always
I'll be there when you need me around
When night finally comes
And the leaves have fallen from the tree
Baby, you'll have me
Soul mate
​
I promise you that I'll find a way
To give you hope, to keep you close and safe
Keep you no matter come what may
Then we'll sleep in endless shades of gray
(And then we'll sleep in endless shades of gray)


​THE ARTISTS

In 2012, the pair met on SoundCloud and struck up a musical connection, leading Shpresa Lleshaj to travel from Stockholm to Minneapolis to meet Cole Randall in person. They returned to Sweden together and immediately began work as Flora Cash. They were married the next year.

After independently releasing a handful of songs and two EPs, the pair signed with Swedish label Icons Creating Evil Art, after which they released, Can Summer Love Last Forever?, in March 2016. The seven-song mini-LP earned them nominations for two GAFFA awards, as Swedish Artist of the Year and Swedish Newcomer of the Year

Flora Cash broke into the mainstream with their song "You're Somebody Else"; a track from their debut full-length album, Nothing Lasts Forever (And It’s Fine), which Steve Baltin, writing for Forbes Magazine called "arguably the most intriguing song on radio this past year." The song reached #1 on Alternative Radio and achieved RIAA Platinum Certification in the United States.

The duo performed several times on American television after making their debut on The Late Late Show with James Corden and toured with Sir Sly, Joywave, lovelytheband, Judah & the Lion and AJR throughout 2018 and 2019.

In early 2020, Flora Cash released their second full-length album ‘Baby, It’s Okay’ on Sony’s RCA Records, which featured Billboard charting singles ‘Missing Home’ and ‘They Own This Town.


THE AWARENOW FEATURE

]]><![CDATA[FLY!]]>Mon, 12 Jul 2021 20:32:18 GMThttps://www.awarenowmedia.com/all-official-selections/fly
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"And then you come to understand that a person with the right vision and motivation can do anything - even fly. Lex Gillette has an amazing talent for inspiring people not only on the track, but also in this book. Blind since the age of 8, he shares a collection of stores that help us all realize there is no need for sight with vision."
Allié McGuire
Co-Founder of Awareness Ties

THE BOOK

At age eight, Elexis "Lex" Gillette, learned he would never see again. Little did he know the devastating news was the beginning of a fascinating adventure that would lead him to athletic competitions all over the world. With the encouragement and support of a dynamic and resolute mother who was deteremined for her son to function independently in the sighted world, Lex attended public schools in Raleigh, NC. In high school, Lex met Coach Brian Whitmer and was introduced to a life-changing track and field event...the long jump. 

"Fly!" is more than the story of an athlete. The chapters not only tell great stories but also convey important, inspirational messages. This is a book for all ages. It inspires, entertains, and informs as it encourages everyone to "Fly!"


​THE AUTHOR

LEX GILLETTE is the best totally blind long and triple jumper in the history of the U.S. Paralympic movement. He is the current world record holder in the long jump, a four-time Paralympic medalist, a four-time long jump world champion, and an 18-time national champion. He is the only totally blind athlete to ever eclipse the 22-foot barrier in the long jump. If you think that any of this came easy, you should think again.
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Many of his fellow eight-year-olds could be seen riding bicycles, shooting baskets, or frolicking on nearby playgrounds, but Lex was dealing with a far more challenging opponent. His sight began to slowly fade entirely due to recurrent retina detachments. Ten operations failed to stabilize what little sight he had left. After the final surgery, Lex’s mother Verdina Gillette, had the difficult task of telling her son he would likely never see again. As painful as this was, she vowed to teach Lex everything he would need to know to be successful in life. Her hard work and love were the foundation for Lex’s accomplishments.

At the age of 19, Lex won his first Paralympic silver medal in the long jump. His achievements at the 2004 Paralympics in Athens, Greece were the culmination of years of hard work and training. Since that time, Lex has solidified himself as a tenacious competitor for Team USA. Each of his athletic performances since that time have resulted in medals with the most recent being gold in the long jump at the 2019 Para Athletics World Championships.

Lex now has his sights set on the 2020 Paralympic Games, and he is currently training and competing to make his fifth consecutive U.S. Paralympic team. There is one goal, and that is to win gold for the United States of America. As an athlete, motivational speaker, and singer song writer, Lex epitomizes the phrase “No Need for Sight When You Have a Vision®”.
]]><![CDATA[GENTLE WORDS]]>Mon, 12 Jul 2021 20:22:57 GMThttps://www.awarenowmedia.com/all-official-selections/gentle-words
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"When gentle words go missing, the emotions they carry can slip away as well. Singer and songwriter, Ned Stranger, has a talent for finding words for these moments. With smart lyrics and signature vocals, his work is a sort of therapy for the relationship we have with ourselves and others."
Allié McGuire
Co-Founder of Awareness Ties

THE SONG


THE LYRICS

You never had to ask
I never had to try
We never had to work too hard, or wonder why
My touch is not a currency
Nor a finite part of me
I don't lose strength in giving it away
Where are all my gentle words?
Telltale signs I put you first
When I speak, you fear the worst
Cuz I've been treading time
I've been holding back
I've been missing holds on all the walls I'm staring at
And I know you know
I taught you how to sing
You taught me how to climb
I taught you how to live your dreams, and conquer anything
Now I see a problem every time
Effort is a dirty word and I'm
Already somewhere else
Where are all my gentle words?
Broken on the rocks below
Higher than my time is worth
But I've been treading time
I've been holding back
I've been missing holds on all the walls…


THE ARTIST

NED STRANGER is really two people trapped in one body. On the one side, he’s an adventure-loving idealist, crafting poetic indie-folk songs in sparkling guitar and synth arrangements that draw on his classical music training and indie-rock and electro-pop influences. On the other, he’s a closet nerd and intellectual – a logical, multilingual, book-loving, Cambridge law graduate who relaxes between songwriting sessions by doing the Guardian cryptic crossword. And yet the two aren’t a world apart. His love of words and their myriad meanings seeps into his lyrics. And he draws much of his inspiration from his voracious reading, just as comfortable exploring the worlds of others as he does hunting for ideas in his own life. A scene from Virgil’s Aeneid inspired his upcoming single ‘Here In The Cave’, whereas ‘Spiral’ is the tragic story of 18th century French mathematician Evariste Galois (Ned’s favourite mathematician) who died aged 20 in a duel defending a lady’s honour. ‘Gentle Words’ is about Marshall Rosenberg’s “Nonviolent Communication” whilst Eckhart Tolle’s “The Power of Now” inspired ‘Forever Lost’. But at the heart of all of his songs, whatever the source, lies Ned’s attempts to reconcile his own inner tensions and insecurities.
]]><![CDATA[NASRIN]]>Mon, 12 Jul 2021 20:11:58 GMThttps://www.awarenowmedia.com/all-official-selections/nasrin
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"Film, at its best, is a catalyst for change. NASRIN is an example of this. In this documentary, the story of Nasrin Soutoudeh is told in a way that and informs and inspires through a tapestry of voices that weave a version of reality that most are not aware of but should be."
Allié McGuire
Co-Founder of Awareness Ties

THE TRAILER


THE AWARENOW FEATURE


THE PRODUCER & DIRECTOR

MARCIA S. ROSS ​produced the documentaries Every Act Of Life, The State of Marriage, Father Joseph, and The Savoy King. Additionally she has an over 3-decade career as an independent casting director and casting executive, serving 16 years as EVP for Casting at Walt Disney Motion Pictures, and 5 years as VP for Casting and Talent Development at Warner Brothers TV. Some of her film and television credits include Clueless, Cujo, thirtysomething, Murder in Mississippi, 10 Things I Hate About You, The Princess Diaries, Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion, The Lookout, Enchanted, Oblivion, and Parental Guidance. She has received career achievement awards from the Casting Society of America and the Hollywood Film Festival.

JEFF KAUFMAN produced, directed, and wrote the documentaries Every Act Of Life (2018 Tribeca premiere, aired June 2019 on American Masters), The State of Marriage, Father Joseph, The Savoy King: Chick Webb and the Music That Changed America, Brush With Life: The Art of Being Edward Biberman, and Education Under Fire, plus a number of short films for Amnesty International, and programs for The Discovery Channel, and The History Channel. He also edited/designed a book based on the film Every Act Of Life, contributed cartoons to The New Yorker, and illustrations to The Los Angeles Times and The New York Times, wrote/illustrated several children's books, and hosted daily radio shows in Vermont and Los Angeles.
]]><![CDATA[WITHOUT PERMISSION]]>Mon, 12 Jul 2021 19:58:52 GMThttps://www.awarenowmedia.com/all-official-selections/without-permission
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"Boldly primal and beautifully poetic, the work of Sage Gallon reflects our shared humanity with textures of varying emotion and layers of shadowed sentiment. His paintings tell stories in their shades of lived experiences."
Allié McGuire
Co-Founder of Awareness Ties

THE ART


THE AWARENOW FEATURE


THE ARTIST

SAGE GALLON made his debut into the Art World with a group show in 2013 called Nebula. It was held in an Airplane Hanger in Santa Monica, CA and was attended by some 500 people. In early 2014, Sage was named in, NBC's The Grio as One of the 40 Artists to Watch and Sage has not disappointed. From interviews in the Huffington Post to The Examiner with successful shows in both Los Angeles as well as in New York, Sage was one of the featured Artists at Miami's Art Basel 2016.

Born in Wyandance Long Island, Sage spent his formative years living in a commune. "I think that being raised in a commune, Synanon, was one of the greatest influences in my life. I was raised by over 400 people from all walks of life who genuinely cared for each other. That has always stuck with me, even in my dark times." After moving back to New York with his Mother and Step-Father, Sage took a great interest in the Arts. Hempstead, the town he grew up in, did not lend itself to his artistic interest, so Sage at a very young age would find himself sneaking into 'The City'. "We lived an hour from New York City, my Mom by this time was a single working parent and I was a latch key kid. I was mature for my age and would often just get on the train and go. Crazy looking back now, a 12 year old in the City all alone, but I loved it. It seemed every corner was a master piece and of course the Galleries, the Parks, I love the Met and MOMA. I would get off at Penn Station, point my finger straight out, close my eyes, spin and what ever direction my finger pointed that's where I would go."

In high school, Sage had teachers and friends that would challenge and inspire him. His only artistic training would come from his high school arts teacher, Linda Shear. He befriended a teacher, Kim O'Quinn, who would show him parts of the City he had not yet discovered. Sage attended the renowned F.I.T. after graduating high school where he studied Fashion Design. Soon after, Sage was introduced to drugs. "I was such a square as a kid, my Parents both had their battles with drugs and alcohol so I stayed clear of them. It wasn't until after F.I.T. That curiosity got the best of me. I was introduced to crack cocaine by these guys that did not fit the 'Crack Head' description that I had in my head. It took three months into the addiction before I realized that I was smoking crack, one year to the day that I had fit the description of a crack head that I had in my head. I was homeless, picked out of a trash can for food, did all kinds of things to support my addiction. My friends, John, Karla and Deb worried to death about me but I was far gone."

In the early 90's Sage was sent to a rehab in DC to get clean, he left the facility and shortly after relapsed. A friend, Walter Neal, seeing talent in the young Sage purchased art supplies for him in hopes that he may find a way to express himself through Art. Sage's first painting "Blue Solitude" is still treasured by Walter. Sage took to painting like wild fire, producing over 400 paintings in both Acrylic and Watercolor. Though the battle with addiction grew, Sage move to Los Angeles CA, where he currently resides, he had stopped painting for some 20 years until the tail end of his final relapse. "I for a very long time had nothing to say in that language [painting]. I had been clean for some 11 years, my life had changed dramatically, I had discovered photography and was in the studio recording my debut CD NAKED UNDER MY CLOTHES. That relapse was in some ways one of the greatest events in my life in that it was the catalyst that made me pick up my brushes. I am now over two years clean and what a two years this has been."

Sage's photos have been published in various magazines and websites, in 2015 he premiered his Series, Rocks and Hard Places ( from Castration to the Mandingo Complex). He also released his debut cd, Naked Under My Clothes, a collection of Sage's poetry put to music. The CD has Sage ranked in the Top Five of his category on ReverbNation.com. Sage has also gotten critical attention for the Music Videos he has shot for Naked Under My Clothes. "It's amazing to think that not that long ago I wanted nothing more that to take my life. I am grateful that did not happen. I want my work, paintings, poetry and my photography to reflect truth, humanity, and growth. I have been at the bottom, Hell, I even dug beeper down from there and I'm humbled and blown away to think that in two years my work has gone from selling from $250 to over $10,000. It's important, having been in the darkness, for me to always give back, that's why a portion of everything I make with my art has to go to charity. I have been looked at with disgust and that's why I try to bring truth and humanity to my work. My greatest hope is to inspire people, to perhaps be a light, even if it's a single spark, to someone who may be living in that darkness right now."

Sage is currently getting more shows together, filming the rest of his music videos as well as working on several new photo series, scripts and other productions . In 2016 Sage was one of the Artists featured in the “I Found God in Myself” at The African American Museum in Philadelphia. ​
]]><![CDATA[OVER THE WALL]]>Wed, 23 Jun 2021 14:28:46 GMThttps://www.awarenowmedia.com/all-official-selections/over-the-wall
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"In 12 minutes and 9 seconds, filmmaker Roy Zafrani brought me to my knees with his short film Over The Wall. A must-see for every parent, the film illustrates the truth of our humanity through the eyes and actions of two young boys who learn that what they’ve been taught is different from the reality they’ve found. Equal parts bold and brilliant, the cinematography is incredible and the message is moving. A powerful lesson learned in 729 seconds."
Allié McGuire
Co-Founder of Awareness Ties

THE FILM

A huge wall stands between Israel and the Gaza Strip. In a coincidental meeting between Nathan and Khaled, kids from both sides of the wall, the kids are surprised to find out that the reality is different than what they have been told. They become friends, but will this friendship last in the reality of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict?


THE AWARENOW FEATURE


THE DIRECTOR

ROY ZAFRANI (MBA, B.Ed) is an award-winning screenwriter, director and editor, and an alumnus of University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).
For over 20 years, Roy has written, directed and edited multiple documentaries, sports events, TV series, commercials and narrative films, including: "The Other Dreamers" (winner of 13 awards, over 100 selections in international film festivals), "Over the Wall" (Best Screenplay at the 2017 LA Indie Film Fest, Best World Cinema Short at the 19th annual Phoenix Film Festival), "On the Edge" (multi-award-winning documentary), "Until the End Amir" (Opening Film at the Oscar Qualifying Festival In the Palace), "Fed Cup", "Davis Cup", "Assi Dayan: Embittered" (Vienna Jewish Film Festival), "On Tiptoes", "European Beach Tennis Championships", the American-Canadian series "The Consulting Offer" (Editor, Season 2) and more. Some of his producing credits include the American drama "Passage" (Excellence in Producing award at Idyllwild Film Festival), the British spy-thriller "The Doorman", "Opening Serve", and "Davis Cup: Road to the Finals", as well as tens of sports events for TV.
]]><![CDATA[YOUR THERAPIST IS ANXIOUS, TOO]]>Thu, 03 Jun 2021 16:16:33 GMThttps://www.awarenowmedia.com/all-official-selections/your-therapist-is-anxious-too
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​"The beautiful way ‘Your Therapist Is Anxious, Too’ unlocks a therapeutic experience that engages not only the analytical mind, but the artistic spirit as well, is phenomenal. Engaging and entertaining, as well as educational in a way that simplifies a hard topic, this artistic workbook for exploring and managing anxiety make it a must-read for mental health and an Official Selection as an AwareNow Cause Conscious Book."
Jack McGuire
Co-Founder of Awareness Ties

THE BOOK

In this interactive workbook, Your Therapist Is Anxious, Too,  crafted by sisters devoted to mental health awareness, readers will be challenged to explore the root system of their own personal anxieties. Using elements of psychological savviness, humor, and creative expression, this art-laden workbook provides both education and hands-on experience to help readers achieve deeper personal insight and sharper anxiety management tools.

THE AUTHOR & ILLUSTRATOR

JENNY MARTIN, the author, lives in Chicago, IL. Her private practice, Gemstone Wellness, focuses on providing culturally sensitive, insight oriented therapy services. She is licensed to practice virtually in several states and greatly enjoys working with empaths and highly sensitive individuals. 

KRISTEN MARTIN, the illustrator, is an East Coast based professional actress. Her broadway credits include performances in major productions such as “Spiderman: Turn Off The Dark,” and “Wicked.” 

Both Jenny and Kristen serve as Awareness Ties Official Ambassadors for Mental Health.
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