Jennifer Baumgardner, a filmmaker and author, gave Judge's Choice awards to two 3 minute films: Women Have Abortions Every Day for the Irish Family Planning Association and International Planned Parenthood Federation, and This is My Story, by Emily Letts, an abortion care worker's account of her own abortion. The contest was co-sponsored by the 1 in 3 Campaign, a de-stigmatizing effort of Advocates for Youth.

Women Have Abortions Every Day: It's Just One Choice

Speaking of Women Have Abortions Every Day by filmmaker Katie Gillum, Baumgardner said, "This short film is totally moving, simple, and philosophically powerful. Abortion occurs in the context of a whole life--and that truth (often buried) was demonstrated beautifully by seeing these quick timelines of these diverse women."

  

This is My Story by Emily Letts

To Emily Letts, Baumgardner commented, "This video, by an abortion clinic staffer who finds out she needs a procedure is very raw and accessible. Thank you, Emily, for talking about having a positive abortion experience, for sharing your surgery experience with us, and for being so open."  Winning entries receive cash prizes and a $100 donation will also go to the abortion fund of her choice, in this case, Abortion Support Network in the UK and Women's Medical Fund in Philadelphia.

 

A third entry by Jeff McCreight, won an Honorable Mention for his film A Force Called GRR. Says Jeff, "When grandmothers are willing to defend reproductive rights, standing up against injustice becomes just a little easier for everyone." 

 

"We are in dark times and these videos are bright lights to show the world the reality of women's experiences with abortion," according to Peg Johnston, coordinator of the event for the Abortion Care Network.