News Releases

The Center for Health Affairs’ Film Igniting Compassion Receives Gold Award

Igniting Compassion, the documentary film released last year by The Center for Health Affairs, has been recognized as a 2024 Gold Winner by the Viddy Awards.

Administered by the Association of Marketing and Communications Professionals (AMCP), the Viddy Awards is an international competition honoring video excellence in a digital world. The 2024 competition saw over 2,500 entries from throughout the United States, Canada, and 17 other countries.

Made possible through funding provided by a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Overdose Data to Action (OD2A) grant, Igniting Compassion seeks to dismantle medical stigma associated with substance use and encourages critical conversations and creative solutions needed to mitigate the ongoing epidemic.

The storytellers featured in the film hail from varied backgrounds and carry unique perspectives. From clinicians sharing their life-long expertise to individuals sharing their unique pathways to recovery, Igniting Compassion touches on the lessons learned from the barriers that prevent treatment and the stigma that amplifies addiction.

“We are thrilled to see this film receiving recognition,” said Jodi Mitchell, senior director of engagement and programs for The Center for Health Affairs. “We are honored and grateful that the individuals featured in the film trusted us with their stories. The message of Igniting Compassion is an important one and recognition like this award will help us reach new audiences.”

Produced by a team that included Alec Hillyer and Carrie Lang, Igniting Compassion was filmed in Cleveland, Ohio and features local storytellers who shared their lived experiences of not only loss and pain but also hope, recovery and treatment success.

About the Viddy Awards

Viddy traces its roots to 1994 when it was known as the Videographer Awards. Award categories include long and short form videos, broadcast and non-broadcast television programs, commercials, social media videos, podcasts, remote learning, animation, and virtual and augmented reality.

Entrants include video production companies, advertising and public relations firms, corporate communication departments, cable and broadcast television operations, government agencies and schools, content producers, digital artists, video professionals, and more.

The goal of the Viddy Awards is to identify and recognize the video artisans who excel in the scope of their own environment. Winners range from network news operations to local cable access, from large production companies to freelancers, and from international advertising agencies to student producers.

Learn more about the making of Igniting Compassion on The Center for Health Affairs’ blog.