CLIO CANNABIS ANNOUNCES 2023 AWARD WINNERS
‘The Sentence of Michael Thompson’ from Cresco Labs and ‘Black Women are Resting’ from 69&Sunny Win Top Honors
NEW YORK—(October 24, 2023)— Clio Cannabis, the global awards competition that recognizes excellence in marketing and communications for the cannabis industry, today announced the winners of its fifth cycle. The competition’s highest honor, the Grand Clio Cannabis Award, was bestowed on two entries. Cresco Labs was lauded for the short-form documentary “The Sentence of Michael Thompson '' in the Advocacy medium and 69&Sunny’s “Black Women are Resting” took home the honor in the Social Good medium. Additionally, a total of 92 Gold, Silver and Bronze winners were simultaneously revealed at www.cliocannabisawards.com.
“The Sentence of Michael Thompson” from Cresco Labs focuses on one individual’s fight for clemency during a time of increasing legalization of cannabis at the state level and aims to put a face on the story of tens of thousands of people who remain incarcerated on cannabis convictions. Thompson was released from prison in January 2021 after 25 years. The film, which aired nationally on MSNBC, was one of the most awarded documentaries on the 2022 film festival circuit. It received Audience Awards at SXSW Film Festival, Chicago Critics Film Festival and Hamptons International Film Festival, as well as a Jury & Audience Award at Palm Springs International Shortfest, and was nominated in the Outstanding Short Documentary category at the 44th Annual News & Documentary Emmy Awards.
The 10-minute short film “Black Women Are Resting” follows the first-person narrative of Calan, a diabetic creative healer and entrepreneur, as she attends her first-ever luxury 420-friendly retreat to the cliffs of Negril, Jamaica. Alongside 25 other like-minded female travelers, Calan discovers what it means to heal through community and cannabis. The project, backed by 69&Sunny, launched the 'rest as resistance' movement that champions black women's well-being and healing.
Other top entries were awarded the Gold Clio Cannabis Award, including:
Brand Design: “Black Women Get Us Higher” by Gorilla Rx Wellness
Branded Entertainment & Content: “The Sentence of Michael Thompson” by Cresco Labs
Film & Video Craft: “Enjoy The Ride” for Gentlemen Smugglers by PufCreativ
Social Media: “Hi, I'm High” by Gotham
Clio statues were also designated for the Clio Cannabis Agency of the Year and Brand of the Year. These winners were determined by identifying the entrants with the most statue points earned for work submitted across all medium types. The 2023 Clio Cannabis Of The Year Winners are:
Agency Of the Year: Sister Merci
Brand Of the Year: Puffco