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Andrew Garfield and Katie Couric are among the finalists for the 2025 Anthem Awards, a ceremony that shines a spotlight on those creating real, measurable social impact. Alongside them, major names like Sesame Workshop, Paramount Pictures, Spotify, and Google underscore another year where advocacy meets recognition.
A Showcase for Change-Makers
Now in its fifth year, the Anthem Awards have become an annual touchstone for social progress across media, technology, and entertainment. Created by the Webby Awards, the event honors individuals and organizations whose work isn’t just high-profile—it drives real-world change. The finalists list reads like a cross-section of today’s most engaged actors in public life, including nonprofits like the Colorectal Cancer Alliance and the Clinton Global Initiative, alongside cultural giants such as MTV Entertainment Studios, IFC, and The Daily Show.
Being on that list says something. It means your project or platform didn’t just gather views or users—it left people feeling heard and empowered. And that’s what I appreciate about these awards: they don’t measure success by audience size alone, but by the wake a story leaves behind.
A Global Reach, A Diverse Jury
This year’s competition was fierce, with over 2,000 submissions pouring in from 42 different countries. That range alone tells us that meaningful work is happening everywhere, not just in the big studio lots or Silicon Valley. To read Gwen Stefani headlines magical 2025 Disney Christmas Parade
The judging was overseen by the International Academy of Digital Arts & Sciences (IADAS), a panel filled with heavy-hitters from all corners of impact-driven industries. Just a few of the names: Nancy Brown from the American Heart Association, Miguel Castro from the Gates Foundation, and Erika Soto Lamb from MTV Entertainment Studios. Every one of them knows what it takes for a message to spread and stick.
Here’s why that matters: when your work is screened by people who’ve spent years in the trenches—whether it’s public health, foundation messaging, or youth advocacy—you know the recognition isn’t symbolic. It means your work met the mark.
Some of the most notable judges include:
- Nancy Brown, CEO of the American Heart Association
- Mitu Yilma, VP at Born This Way Foundation
- Miguel Castro, Head of Global Media Partnerships at the Gates Foundation
- Trovon Williams, SVP of the NAACP
- Lauren Garcimonde-Fisher, VP at Planned Parenthood
- Erika Soto Lamb, VP of Social Impact Strategy at MTV Entertainment Studios
- Brett Peters, Global Lead of TikTok for Good
When Pop Culture and Purpose Align
What strikes me every year is the diversity of formats represented—yes, the winners range from digital campaigns to socially conscious documentaries. But they also include mental health platforms, educational children’s programming, and even satire. The Anthem Awards seem to say: no matter your medium, if the message gets through, you’re doing something that counts.
This year’s high-profile nominees reflect that blend. Sesame Workshop continues to set the bar for compassionate storytelling. Headspace keeps deepening how we talk about mental well-being. And figures like Andrew Garfield and Katie Couric remind us that visibility, when paired with intention, can shape conversations on a massive scale. To read Toho expands into Europe with bold anime distribution moves
What’s Next for the Finalists
Winners will be announced on November 18, with projects divided into gold, silver, and bronze distinctions. But what really sets these awards apart is what comes after the announcements: each winner delivers a “Call to Action Speech”, which will be featured online in the Anthem winners gallery. It’s not about basking in the spotlight—it’s about using that spotlight to push momentum.
There’s also a community-driven component with the Anthem Community Voice Awards. These will be awarded to the companies and organizations receiving the most public votes in each media category, with voting open until Thursday, October 30.
In a time when so many advocacy groups are struggling to survive, let alone grow, it feels more essential than ever that these stories be lifted. Not just for encouragement, but for replication. Filmmakers, nonprofits, and tech creators alike take notes from what works at the Anthem Awards. And that ripple effect? It’s exactly what good storytelling is meant to do.
