2023 Winner

Although cannabis became legal in Canada in 2018, those convicted of possession before then were still considered convicted criminals and shut out of employment opportunities. The “Legalize Us” film was created for Cannabis Amnesty by Cossette as part of a larger campaign to bring attention to this injustice. The film follows the nerve-wracking journey of a man as he goes for a job interview - using flashbacks to reflect his experiences including his arrest for possession of marijuana - only to be injured when he runs inexplicably into an invisible barrier to the office where the interview takes place. Skillful editing, cinematography and direction create an impactful narrative, with the drama elevated by a heightened sound track.

Credits

Executive Creative Director: Anthony Atkinson
Creative Director: Kevin Filliter, Anthony Atkinson, Theo Gibson
Art Director: Kevin Filliter
Copywriter: Anthony Atkinson
Associate Creative Director Design: Chelsea Palmer
Brand Designer: Paula Dopuda
Executive Producer: Nan Row
Senior Strategist: Geoff Gingerich
Strategist: Stephen Pace
Director, Branding & Design Strategy: Chelito Rubio
Business Director: Aline Cleve
Group Business Director: Asmait Hailu, Carleigh Hogg
Account Coordinator: Rabia Sohail
SVP, General Manager: Kathy McGuire

Production Co: Magic Circle Workshop & Common Good
Director: Christo Anesti
Line Producer: Justin Smith
DOP: Ali Khurshid
Executive Producer: Nan Row

Online Facility: Artjail
Senior Colourist: Clinton Homuth
Colour Assistant: Kevin Wu
Colour Assistant: Jake Erxleben
Online / Finishing: Ben Lee
Producer: Alison Maxwell
Executive Producer: Leslie McCartney

Casting: Mann Casting
Casting Director: Steven Mann

Offline Edit: Common Good
Editor: Red Barbaza
Asst. Editor: Mikka Quinsac
Lead VFX Artist: Alex Avram
Executive Producer: Ainslie Thomas

Audio (Sound Design & Mix): Berkeley Inc.
Creative Director - Jared Kuemper
Executive Producer - Tyna Maerzke

Composer: Teddy Fantum Christo Anesti Ali Khurshid

Client: Cannabis Amnesty
Founder & Executive Director: Annamaria Enenajor
Director of Operations: Stephanie DiGuiseppe
Director Marketing & Strategy: Sameena Ibrahim