This short, titled The Text, is the third film in Coca-Cola’s “Crossroads” campaign from agency Pereira & O’Dell. All three shorts were directed by Oscar-winning screenwriter (Milk) Dustin Lance Black.

The Text touches upon loyalty and friendship while addressing the delicate subject of teen homosexuality. The messaging encourages teens to take a stand against bullying and to choose friendship over cruelty.

“I’m proud to have worked with Coca-Cola on their ‘Crossroads’ series of films because at their core each helps demonstrate how choosing the path of compassion at crucial moments paves the way to true friendship and happiness,” said Black. “The Text was perhaps the most personal for me to direct. As an artist, I feel I have a responsibility to share the stories of who LGBT people truly are in order to dispel any atmosphere of fear that might prevent LGBT people from sharing their lives openly.”

The shorts are part of Coca-Cola’s True Friendship campaign from Latin America inspiring choices that activate unity, teamwork and happiness in young people by driving the message to choose to live #TrueFriendship.

Credits

Client Coca-Cola Latin America Agency Pereira & O’Dell PJ Pereira, chief creative officer; Jaime Robinson, executive creative director; Rob Lambrechts, Rafael Rizuto, creative directors; Luke Acret, sr. art director; Omid Amid, sr. copywriter; Moses Kelany, sr. designer; Ana Cortat, chief strategy officer; Sara Lezama, strategist; Jeff Ferro, VP production; Victoria Whitlow, sr. film producer; Collin Kriner, trailer, interactive editor; Aaron Rodriguez, sr. production designer. Production Bully Pictures Dustin Lance Black, director/writer; Carlos Veron, DP; Jason Forest, exec producer; Gunner Clancey, producer. Visual Effects Laundry! Editorial Umlaut Films, Alex Rodriguez editor. Music Theme Music: One Direction, “Clouds”; Amine Ramer, music supervisor; Grayson Sanders for Music Dealers, original score composer.

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