NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwired - Dec 2, 2013) - Today, the MAC AIDS Fund, the heart and soul of MAC Cosmetics, announced a partnership with filmmaker Andrew Jenks to develop a feature length documentary about personal stories of young people from around the world whose lives are affected by HIV/AIDS. Principle photography is underway, with filming in South Africa, the Caribbean, India and the United States.
"To end this epidemic, we need to educate a generation that has grown up with HIV/AIDS and in many cases has grown complacent with it," said Nancy Mahon, global executive director, MAC AIDS Fund. "This film aims to break through the noise, the stigma and the misinformation with an honest portrayal of young people living with or affected by the disease in a raw manner that leaves an impression on us all."
The film is slated for a fall 2014 release, with distribution discussions beginning in the spring. This project is the latest example of the MAC AIDS Fund's focus on education and financing critically acclaimed content related to HIV/AIDS, including 2012 Academy award nominee How to Survive a Plague and Deep South.
Andrew Jenks has emerged as one of the most unique and credible voices in documentary filmmaking in recent years, with his projects earning millions of viewers and critical praise from HBO, ESPN and MTV. The filmmaker has told the stories of multiple people whose lives have been impacted by health issues, including cancer, autism and substance abuse.
"Even with the massive amounts of healthcare news and coverage from mainstream media, the HIV/AIDS epidemic receives almost no coverage, marginalized to an alarming degree considering the millions of lives at stake," said documentary filmmaker, Andrew Jenks. "I hope our film can contribute to bringing HIV/AIDS back to the national health agenda while educating as many people -- young and old -- about the true nature of this issue."
The partnership news comes as the MAC AIDS Fund -- the largest corporate funder of HIV/AIDS programs -- is publically committing to a 40 percent increase in funding to HIV/AIDS organizations around the world in 2014 resulting in a total of almost $42 million for the upcoming year. Grant priorities in 2014 will be in the areas of HIV/AIDS prevention, lifesaving treatment and care and retention in care with a keen focus on youth-oriented programming.
ABOUT THE MAC AIDS FUND
The MAC AIDS Fund, the heart and soul of MAC Cosmetics, was established in 1994 to support men, women and children affected by HIV/AIDS globally. MAF is a pioneer in HIV/AIDS funding, providing financial support to organizations working with underserved regions and populations. Recently recognized by Funders Concerned About AIDS as the top corporate giver in the arena and the number one philanthropic funder of domestic U.S. HIV/AIDS work, MAF is committed to addressing the link between poverty and HIV/AIDS by supporting diverse organizations around the world that provide a wide range of services to people living with HIV/AIDS. To date, MAF has raised more than $300 million (U.S.) exclusively through the sale of MAC's VIVA GLAM Lipstick and Lipglass donating 100 percent of the sale price to fight HIV/AIDS. For more information, visit www.macaidsfund.org.
ABOUT ANDREW JENKS ENTERTAINMENT
Andrew Jenks Entertainment, Inc. is a full service Manhattan-based production company that has earned a reputation for connecting with the millennial generation through compelling, honest and eye-opening content. Its portfolio includes award-winning feature documentaries, critically acclaimed TV series, and dynamic web-based content. AJE prides itself on finding both the entertainment value and humanity within each project. They are currently in production on multiple projects, including the recently announced feature length documentary on the American Justice System featuring Ryan Ferguson, and AJE's second project for ESPN Films, both slated for release in 2014. For more information contact info@andrewjenks.com.
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