On Women's Day 'Pluto TV' will telecast five short films collected in 'In Bloom'

MTV Staying Alive Foundation, Paramount Global and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation have announced that six short films based on Women in Bloom will premiere globally on Paramount Pluto TV and Paramount Liner channels on March 1. A unique anthology of five compelling short films based across countries and cultures, In Bloom, highlights the complexities of gender issues, following characters on the brink of life-defining moments, whether by choice or circumstance. The collection tells unheard stories addressing a range of important issues including poverty, child marriage, and gender-based violence, HIV self-stigma, family planning, and women's economic empowerment.

As part of the MTV Staying Alive Foundation's mission of storytelling to change lives and Paramount's “Content for Change” initiative, In Bloom presents five emerging female filmmakers from Nigeria, Kenya, India, the United States, and Brazil as a brings together. The series aims to creatively support new voices and enable practical dialogue to eliminate systemic injustice in support of the UN Sustainable Development Goal No. 5: Gender Equality.

In Bloom will feature a diverse range of stories and talent

In Bloom features a diverse range of stories and international talent, with creative lead Tope Oshin, a Nigerian TV and film director and current board member of UN Live. These include “Period” written by Nicole Tinney (USA), starring Yasmina El-Abd; “Alta” by Priyanka Banerjee (India), featuring Majel Vyas; “Mare” by Gidaliana Monteiro (Brazil), featuring Vanessa Giacomo “Kifungo” by Volyn Ogutu (Kenya) featuring Brenda Wairimu; and “Efefe” by Dolapo ‘Loladi’ Adeleke (Nigeria) and Folu Stormers.

In celebration of Women's History Month and just in time for International Women's Day, the anthology premieres March 1 on Paramount across the US, UK, Canada, Latin America, the Caribbean, Australia, Italy, France, Germany, and Switzerland. Austria, Japan, and South Korea. In Bloom will also premiere globally on Pluto TV on the same day, and will air on MTV international linear channels on BE TV in Africa ahead of March 8, International Women's Day. Subsequently, ‘In Bloom’ will also be available on YouTube in India and Africa.

Following the premiere on Paramount and Pluto TV, Paramount will distribute free rights to third-party platforms through its global content distribution arm to maximize the reach and impact of these important stories.

“In Bloom marks an exciting new phase in the MTV Staying Alive Foundation’s work on gender equality,” says Wem Jallow, Executive Director of the MTV Staying Alive Foundation. Our experience tells us that working in partnership with the communities we serve is the best way to achieve impact and change in the world. These important narratives and the way they are created have already enabled thought-provoking reflection on gender within the team involved in their creation. These Bloom connects the dots and brings to light the 'silent epidemic' that affects not only women and girls but also our global communities and I can't wait for the films to be shared with audiences everywhere." ''

Crystal Barnes, Executive Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility and Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG) at Paramount, said: “Paramount's Content for Change initiative aims to amplify the stories and voices of underrepresented audiences around the world, and In Bloom is just that. That's what, by tackling important, gender-based issues through the creative lens of dynamic female talents. This collection of films is a true testament to our ongoing commitment to improving diversity, equity, and inclusion both on and off-screen.

Funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, 'In Bloom' is produced by the MTV Staying Alive Foundation and distributed by Paramount Global Content Distribution.

Summary of short stories:

Five compelling short films that highlight the complexities of gender issues, including the characters' life-defining moments, whether by choice or circumstance:

Period – Written and Directed by Nicole Tinney Like many of her classmates at her underprivileged school, Fay can't afford menstrual products, so she sets out on a crusade to get them for free. This comedy genre film is in the English language, the main actor is- Yasmina Al-Abd.

Alta - Written and directed by Priyanka Banerjee, the film revolves around a defiant teenage girl who refuses to come out of the bathroom and forces her hapless father to ask her for help in convincing the girl, but things take a turn for the worse. When their true relationship is revealed. Majel Vyas has an important role in this Bengali language film.

Mare – Written and directed by Giuliana Monteiro: A mother on the edge of her sanity seeking solace from a tumultuous life situation. The social realist film is in Portuguese and stars Vanessa Giacomo in the lead role.

Kifungo – Written and directed by Wolin Ogutu, the film follows an ambitious romantic girl who struggles with self-acceptance after discovering that she is HIV positive. This is a horror psychological film in Swahili and English languages.

Afefé – Written and directed by Dolapo ‘Loladi’ Adeleke, the film centers on a terminally ill elderly man who unexpectedly dies, and the life of a passionate local beautician takes a terrifying turn. Folu Storms has a starring role in the Yoruba, Nigerian Pidgin, and English-language film.

‘In Bloom’ builds on Paramount’s commitment to focus on gender equality across the ecosystem, a shared journey the company began long ago that has increased the representation of women in leading roles. Paramount recently released new results of its study “Reflecting Me,” which reveals audience perceptions about the state of on-screen representation and diversity. The study shows that women find it important to see accurate, reflective representations of themselves on-screen, and see the media industry as a strong opportunity to commit to driving change and improving on- and off-screen representation. Is seen in. With a collection of short films created by female filmmakers, In Bloom contributes to increasing the representation of women on and off-screen while challenging the way audiences and society perceive gender inequality.

 By: Shantiswarup Tripathi

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