New York, 01 March 2024/ India, 1st March 2024: MTV Staying Alive Foundation, Paramount Global (NASDAQ: PARA, PARAA), and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation announced today the upcoming release of IN BLOOM. A unique anthology of five compelling short films spanning countries and cultures, IN BLOOM, delves into the complexities of gender issues following characters on the brink of life-defining moments, by choice or circumstance. The collection tells unheard stories addressing a range of crucial issues including period poverty, child marriage, gender-based violence, HIV self-stigma, family planning, and women’s economic empowerment.

As a part of the MTV Staying Alive Foundation’s mission of storytelling to change lives and Paramount’s “Content For Change” initiative, IN BLOOM brings together five upcoming female filmmakers from Nigeria, Kenya, India, the US, and Brazil. The series aims to creatively champion new voices and enable insightful conversations to dismantle systemic injustices in support of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal Number 5: Gender Equality.

IN BLOOM, with creative lead Tope Oshin, Nigerian TV & Film Director and sitting Board Member of UN Live features a variety of stories and international talent. It includes “Period” by Nicole Teeny (USA), featuring Yasmina El-Abd; “Alta” by Priyanka Banerjee (India), featuring Mazel Vyas; “Maré by Giuliana Monteiro (Brazil), featuring Vanessa Giácomo; “Kifungo” by Voline Ogutu (Kenya) featuring Brenda Wairimu; and “Aféfé,” by Dolapo ‘LowlaDee’ Adeleke (Nigeria) and featuring Folu Storms.

In celebration of Women’s History Month and just ahead of International Women’s Day, the anthology is set to premiere on Paramount+ on March 1 across the US, the UK, Canada, Latin America, the Caribbean, Australia, Italy, France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Japan and South Korea. On the same day, IN BLOOM will also premiere on Pluto TV globally, and roll out across MTV international linear channels prior to its March 8, International Women’s Day debut on BET in Africa. Following that, IN BLOOM will also become available on YouTube in India and Africa.

Following the premiere on Paramount+ and Pluto TV, Paramount will distribute rights free to third-party platforms via its Global Content Distribution arm, to maximize the reach and impact of these important stories.

Wame Jallow, Executive Director, of MTV Staying Alive Foundations says, “In Bloom marks an exciting new phase in the work of MTV Staying Alive Foundation on gender equality. Our experience tells us that working in partnership with the communities we serve, is the best way to achieve impact and change in the world. These important narratives and the way they were made have already enabled thought-provoking reflections on gender within the team involved in their creation. In Bloom connects the dots and brings to light ‘silent pandemics’ that affect not just women and girls, but our global communities and I can’t wait for the films to be shared with audiences everywhere.”

Crystal Barnes, Executive Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) at Paramount said: “Paramount’s Content for Change initiative aims to amplify the stories and voices of underrepresented audiences around the world, and In Bloom does just that, by tackling critical, gender-based issues through the creative lens of dynamic female talents. This collection of films is a true testament to our ongoing commitment to improving diversity, equity, and inclusion both on and off screen.”