Merissa Victor, a fourth-year Bachelor of Media Studies student has been granted a 2019 Adobe Creativity Scholar this year for her socially engaging filmmaking works!
Each year, the Adobe Creativity Scholarship invests $6 million dollars to award 137 scholarships to students from 27 different countries who share a commitment to leveraging creativity to inspire change in their communities.
Merissa was eligible to apply for this scholarship as a film that she had worked on won in the Inspire Mental Wellness art challenge hosted by Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation and Adobe Project 1324. The spoken word film entitled, The Entropy of Forgiveness, was a collaborative piece between Merissa and fellow BMS student, Angelica Poversky and also got in an international film festival.
The works that Merissa had submitted included projects that she had completed in the Bachelor of Media Studies program! One example is About A Lanternist, a short documentary that Merissa made in the BMS course FIPR 233 on Vancouver based artist, Ruth Scheuing, and her work carrying on the legacy of her husband through the magic lantern.
This is what being a Creativity Scholar means to Merissa:
“Through my film and media work, I strive to create pieces that uplift traditionally marginalised voices, experiences and communities by creating with and for my subjects (in addition to creating for an audience).
To be afforded the privilege to focus whole heartedly on my craft. To continue working towards creating content that I am passionate about, content that strives to create positive impacts in my community— is what the Adobe Creativity Scholarship means to me.
I am very honoured to have my work recognised and supported by Adobe. And I am grateful to the team and advisors at Adobe and Institute for International Education (IIE), to my teachers, family and friends who have empowered me in so many ways to be able to continue to delve into my passions and expand upon my capacity to mediate the stories that need to be heard.”
For more of Merissa’s works, check out the following:
Digital Portfolio: www.merissavictor.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdbgP4muTw42137OSGlJbAg
Instagram: @merissavictor
Email: merissavictor@hotmail.com
