2023 Winner

The Royal Ontario Museum was looking to promote the “Being Legendary” exhibition from internationally acclaimed Cree artist, Kent Monkman. Inspired by text from the exhibition, Broken Heart Love Affair called the campaign “We Are Made of Stardust,” which speaks to the Cree people’s origin story and the belief in the undying spirit. The film features an Indigenous girl who happens upon a pink comet, then crushes it to create a pigment – paint she uses to create posters that read, “We are made of stardust.” The music is both moving and dramatic, incorporating both Western and Indigenous styles, including throat singing. The campaign took cues from the exhibition’s comet narrative and Monkman’s use of cosmic, supernatural colours. The campaign was developed with input from Indigenous talent
both in front and behind the camera.

Credits

AGENCY
Creative Agency: Broken Heart Love Affair
Chief Creative Officers: Craig McIntosh, Jaimes Zentil
Chief Strategy Officer: Jay Chaney
Art Director: Jaimes Zentil
Copywriter: Craig McIntosh
Chief Business Officer: Beverley Hammond
VP, Client Success: Joline Matika
Director, Client Success: Carlos Game-Garcia
Agency Production: Lifelong Crush
Integrated Producer: Demi Veselinovic
Junior Producer: Olivia Cousineau

CLIENT
Client / Brand Name: Royal Ontario Museum (ROM)
Client Title: Lori Davison – Chief Marketing and Communications Officer
Client Title: Kathryn Browline – VP, Brand & Marketing
Client Title: Emily Wright – Marketing Lead
Client Title: Sally Tindal – VP, Communications

PRODUCTION
Production Company: TSU North and Circle Productions
Executive Producers: Karen Tameanko, Maggie Wilson
Director: Shaunoh
Directors Of Photography: Shaunoh
Producer: John Scarth

EDITING
Editorial Company: Saints Editorial
Executive Producer: Michelle Rich
Executive Producer: Mackenzie Goodwin
Editor: Stephen Sora
Assistant Editor: Mathew White

COLOUR, VFX & FINISHING
Colour Company: Alter Ego
Executive Producer: Hilda Pereira
Producer: Mariya Guzova
Colourist: Wade Odlum
VFX Artist: Darren Achim

AUDIO
Audio House: Berkeley Inc.
Creative Director: Jared Kuemper
Mix & Sound Design: Jared Kuemper
Executive Producer: Tyna Maerzke
Composer: Cris Derksen
Vocals: Rebecca Benson & Cris Derksen
Throat Singing: Laakkuluk Williamson Bathory