“Family Values” video is Project Pushback winner; some entries will be screened at Outfest 2009

This just in!

The grand prize winner of the marriage equality video contest, Project Pushback, is Family Values created by LA-based filmmaker Andrew Putschoegl. The short film features Putschoegl’s housemates – a married gay couple with two children – and the children’s grandparents.

The filmmaker’s goal was to create a video that reflected LGBT-parented families and resonated with voters over the age of 65 who are the least likely to support marriage equality: “I see how it makes a difference in [my housemate’s] lives, and the lives of y0ung children,” he said. “While I’m not ready to get married myself, I think it’s important for people to have that option – and all the rights and responsibilities that come with it.”

The grand prize winner, selected by a panel of judges, gets $2,500. The panel of judges included Academy Award-winning Producer Bruce Cohen, MTV producer Sherri Brown Francois, political and communications strategist Chad Griffin, Google vice president Megan Smith and Current TV producer Tracey Chang.

Also taking home some moolah ($1,000) is the winner of The People’s Choice Award: Blaire Wedding Project. The spoof of Blair Witch Project was written and directed by Samantha Levin and got the most votes of the 68 entries. The top 11 vote getters were judges by the panel to determine the Grand Prize winner.

The competition was organized by the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center and the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center of New York City. You can now see the top 11 videos at www.equalityvideo.org.

Here’s some more cool news: Outfest Executive Director Kirsten Schaffer announced today that a selection of Project Pushback entires will be screened at Outfest, the 27th Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Film Festival which runs July 9 – 19.