Award events
- The results of the annual NME readers' poll named Pat Boone the world's number-one male singer, while Elvis Presley finished second. Among the top British groups were The King Brothers and The Stargazers.
- Perez Prado's song “Patricia” was awarded a gold record by the Recording Industry Association of America. It was the last recording to reach No. 1 on the separate Billboard Jockeys and Top 100 charts before they were merged into the Hot 100.
- Jimmie Rodgers, Fred Rose and Hank Williams became the first people inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
- While filming It Happened at the World's Fair at MGM Studios in Culver City, California, Elvis Presley received a Norwegian silver record for the single “Good Luck Charm.”
- The soundtrack album Girls! Girls! Girls! received a gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) after reaching No. 3 on the Billboard Top LPs chart.
- The Beatles' single "She Loves You" was certified gold.
- The Beatles received a gold record for the song “Help!”. The Recording Industry Association of America certified it as a gold record for sales of one million copies.
- Bobby Hebb received a gold record for the song “Sunny,” which reached number 2 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 12 in the UK.
- Anni-Frid Lyngstad and her group Anni-Frid Four won the talent competition on the Swedish television show Hylands Hörna. She later became famous as one of the singers of ABBA.
- Jeannie C. Riley's album “Harper Valley P.T.A.” received a gold certification. The single “Harper Valley P.T.A.” ultimately sold more than six million copies, and Riley became the first woman to top both the US pop and country charts with the same song.
- The Doors received a gold record for “Hello, I Love You”, which reached No. 1 in the US and No. 15 in the UK. The band and many fans disliked its lighter sound. Ray Davies of The Kinks pointed out the strong similarity between the main guitar riff and the song “All Day and All of the Night”, leading to an out-of-court settlement under which the UK royalties were paid directly to Davies.
- Sly & the Family Stone defeated The Chambers Brothers to win the television talent competition Showcase '68, similar to American Idol but intended for professional performers.
- The Rascals simultaneously received two gold albums: their 1966 debut, The Young Rascals, and the greatest-hits compilation Time Peace, which had reached the top of the chart.
- Aretha Franklin's recording of "I Say a Little Prayer" was certified gold.
- The Youngbloods received a gold certification for their version of “Get Together.” The song was written by Chet Powers (Dino Valenti) following the assassination of John F. Kennedy in 1963; before The Youngbloods, it had been recorded by the Kingston Trio, We Five, and Jefferson Airplane.
- The International Hotel presented Elvis Presley with a wide gold belt inscribed “World’s Championship / Attendance Record / Las Vegas Nevada / International Hotel”, reportedly worth around $10,000.
- Elvis Presley became the youngest artist and the first rock musician to receive the prestigious Bing Crosby Award from NARAS for outstanding artistic contribution to recorded music. Because he disliked award ceremonies, the lifetime achievement plaque was presented to him privately in his dressing room at the Las Vegas Hilton.
- Ringo Starr received a gold record for “It Don’t Come Easy”, which reached No. 4 in both the US and UK. Ringo received full writing credit, although George Harrison later made significant contributions to the song’s final form.
- John Lennon’s album “Imagine” received a gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in the United States. The certification was later upgraded to double platinum for more than two million copies sold in the USA.
- The O’Jays received a gold record for the single “Back Stabbers,” which reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 1 on the Hot Soul Singles chart.
- Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway's duet “Where Is the Love?” was certified gold by the RIAA. The song reached number five on the Billboard Hot 100 and later won a Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group.
- Deep Purple received a gold record for “Smoke On the Water”, which reached No. 4 in the US and sold more than two million copies. The award was presented by the Recording Industry Association of America.
- Paul McCartney received a gold disc for more than one million copies sold of "Live and Let Die", the title song from the James Bond film of the same name. The recording reached No. 2 in the United States and No. 9 in the United Kingdom.
- Paul Simon's "Loves Me Like a Rock" was certified gold in the United States.
- As part of Women's Equality Day, the National Organization of Women presented Paul Anka with the “Keep Her In Her Place” award for his song “(You're) Having My Baby”.
- Elton John officially received an RIAA gold record for "Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me", which had previously spent two weeks at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, behind John Denver's "Annie's Song".
- Elton John received a gold record for the single “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me”, which spent four weeks at No. 2 on the Hot 100.
- Quincy Jones accepted his first gold record for the album "Body Heat."
- Elton John became the first non-sporting figure inducted into the Madison Square Garden Hall of Fame in New York, in recognition of the record attendance at his concerts in June 1977.
- Comedian Steve Martin received a gold record for his novelty song “King Tut”, which reached number 17 on Billboard and had sold more than 500,000 copies when it received its gold certification. It later reached million-selling status in the US. Although it was credited to “Steve Martin and the Toot Uncommons”, the backing band was actually The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.
- Gene Simmons received a platinum award for his self-titled solo album, one of four solo albums released simultaneously by members of KISS. Simmons's album was the most successful of the four in the United States, reaching No. 22.
- The classic Fleetwood Mac lineup — Mick Fleetwood, John McVie, Christine McVie, Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks — received the 1,715th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6608 Hollywood Boulevard. During the ceremony, Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley officially proclaimed October 10 “Fleetwood Mac Day.” The honor recognized their musical achievements as well as their local charitable and humanitarian activities.
- Results of the Melody Maker readers' poll: Kate Bush was named best female singer, Peter Gabriel best male singer, Ritchie Blackmore best guitarist, Phil Collins best drummer, and Genesis best band. The best single was Pink Floyd's Another Brick In The Wall (Part 2), and Saxon was named the most promising new act.
- George Jones won Single of the Year at the Country Music Association Awards for "He Stopped Loving Her Today". The award marked the beginning of a new period of success and renewed interest in his work.
- Ottawa Mayor Marion Dewar and the city council proclaimed “Paul Anka Day” in honor of his 25 years in show business and also named a street Paul Anka Drive after him. The Canadian singer and songwriter had written more than 900 songs at the time, including “My Way”.
- Robert Plant's solo album “Pictures at Eleven” was certified gold for sales of 500,000 copies. It was his first recording following the breakup of Led Zeppelin after the death of drummer John Bonham.
- ABBA was honored in Sweden with the issuance of a postage stamp.
- Karen Carpenter receives a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
- Tina Turner's album “Private Dancer” received RIAA platinum certification and the single “What's Love Got To Do With It” received gold certification. The album reached No. 3 on the Billboard Top LPs & Tape chart and the single reached No. 1 on the Hot 100, as well as No. 5 in the UK and the Top 10 in several other European countries. At the age of 44, Turner became the oldest female solo singer at the time to reach No. 1 on the Hot 100.
- Anne Murray received the Country Music Association's Album of the Year award for A Little Good News, becoming the first woman to receive the honor, despite her success on the pop charts already beginning to decline.
- Tina Turner received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 1750 N. Vine Street near Capitol Records. She began her career in 1957 in Ike Turner's band, the Kings of Rhythm, under the name Little Ann. Between 1983 and 1993, she had thirteen songs on the Billboard Hot 100 as a solo artist, including the hit “What's Love Got To Do With It”, which reached No. 1 in 1984. She sold more than 100 million records worldwide.
- Tina Turner was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
- Dire Straits won the MTV award for Best Video for “Money for Nothing.”
- The city of Lithonia, Georgia, proclaimed “Brenda Lee Day” in honor of its native daughter Brenda Lee, born Brenda Mae Tarpley, and named a local street Brenda Lee Lane after her. Between 1960 and 1967, Brenda Lee had a total of 29 songs in the Billboard Top 40, including “Sweet Nothin’s,” “I’m Sorry,” “Fool #1” and “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.”
- Chuck Berry received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 1777 N. Vine Street. His film biography Hail, Hail Rock & Roll premiered in Los Angeles that same evening.
- INXS, the new sensation from Australia, were the big winners at the MTV Video Music Awards, receiving five awards including Video of the Year for “Need You Tonight/Mediate”. The songs are separate tracks on the album but were combined for the music video; “Mediate” is a tribute to Bob Dylan's 1965 film “Subterranean Homesick Blues”.
- Chicago Mayor Richard Michael Daley proclaimed this day “Pops Staples Day” in honor of the musician and leader of The Staple Singers.
- One week after beginning their stint as the opening act on The Rolling Stones' Steel Wheels tour, Living Colour won awards at the MTV Video Music Awards for Best Group Video, Best Stage Performance and Best New Artist. Mick Jagger presented them with the trophies backstage after their concert in Pittsburgh.
- At the 1989 MTV Video Music Awards, a number of artists received awards. Neil Young won Video of the Year for "This Note's for You", whose video had previously been briefly banned by MTV. Other winners included Elvis Costello, U2, Living Colour and Guns N' Roses. Performers included Bon Jovi, The Rolling Stones, Def Leppard and Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers with guest Axl Rose.
- Neil Young won Video of the Year at the sixth MTV Video Music Awards for "This Note's For You". It marked a significant turnaround for the song criticizing commercialization, whose video had previously been briefly banned by MTV because of legal concerns over its direct references to corporate sponsors and its parody of Michael Jackson's Pepsi commercial accident.
- B.B. King received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
- Randy Newman surprisingly received an Emmy Award for his music for ABC's series “Cop Rock”.
- Texas Governor Ann Richards proclaimed October 3 “Stevie Ray Vaughan Day” in honor of the Dallas-born musician. An annual motorcycle ride and concert in Central Texas support the Stevie Ray Vaughan Memorial Scholarship Fund.
- Ray Charles was honored in a special Fox television program, “Ray Charles: 50 Years Of Music.” Highlights included Charles performing “Living For The City” with Stevie Wonder and “Busted” with Willie Nelson.
- RCA and the RIAA presented 110 gold and platinum records to the estate of Elvis Presley.
- The US Postal Service issued a series of commemorative stamps honoring legends of popular music. The stamps featured Elvis Presley, Bill Haley, Buddy Holly, Otis Redding, Ritchie Valens, Clyde McPhatter, and Dinah Washington.
- Patty Smyth and Don Henley, drummer for the Eagles, received a gold record for their duet "Sometimes Love Just Ain't Enough". The single from Patty Smyth's second solo album spent six weeks at number two on the US Billboard Hot 100 and reached number 22 on the UK chart.
- Duran Duran received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
- They won the MTV Video Music Award for Best New Artist for the video “Plush”.
- Louis Armstrong was honored with the issuance of a U.S. postage stamp.
- At the 29th annual Country Music Association Awards, Alan Jackson won Entertainer of the Year, Alison Krauss was named Female Vocalist of the Year, and Vince Gill won Male Vocalist of the Year. Alison Krauss was also the evening's most successful recipient, winning four awards.
- Roger Miller was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
- John Fogerty received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 7000 Hollywood Boulevard; according to the source, it was star number 1356.
- Country group Alabama received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 7060 Hollywood Boulevard.
- Lauryn Hill received the New Artist of the Year and Album of the Year awards at the Source Hip Hop Music Awards in Los Angeles. R. Kelly won R&B Artist of the Year, while DMX received Artist of the Year and Solo and Live Performer of the Year.
- Van Morrison became the first inductee into the Hot Press Irish Music Hall of Fame in Dublin.
- Fifteen-year-old country singer Jessica Andrews received the first-ever Youth Achievement Award in her home county of Carroll County, Tennessee.
- Winners at the Mobo Awards included Kele Le Roc for Best Newcomer and Best Single, Shanks & Bigfoot for Best Dance Act, and TLC for Best Video for “No Scrubs.” Lauryn Hill won Best International Artist and Tina Turner received the Lifetime Achievement Award.
- The first and only ARTISTdirect Online Music Awards ceremony was held at the House of Blues in Los Angeles, with winners selected through online voting. Winners included Madonna, Ricky Martin, and Nine Inch Nails. Chris Isaak, Cypress Hill, No Doubt, and The Offspring also performed.
- Kenny Loggins received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 7021 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California. The event was timed to coincide with the home video release of Disney's “Tigger: The Movie”, for which Loggins wrote and sang the song “Your Heart Will Lead You Home”.
- Slipknot caused chaos at the Kerrang! Awards. Band members smashed glasses, set their table on fire, knocked a monitor off the stage, and destroyed a microphone. The band won three awards, including Best Single and Best Live Band.
- Toni Braxton received the Aretha Franklin Award for Entertainer of the Year at the Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards in Santa Monica, California. Destiny’s Child, Angie Stone and Mary J. Blige each received two awards.
- Craig David won three awards at the MOBO Awards: Best R&B Act, Best UK Newcomer, and Best UK Single for “Fill Me In.”
- The Dixie Chicks were major winners at the CMA Awards. They won Entertainer of the Year, Album of the Year for Fly, Vocal Group of the Year, and Video of the Year for “Goodbye Earl.”
- Howard Stern was named Personality of the Year in the nationally syndicated radio personalities category at the Billboard/Airplay Monitor Radio Awards.
- Keith Urban returned to Australia to receive a special ARIA Award. He received the Outstanding Achievement Award in recognition of his sales and success on the US charts.
- Rock band Powderfinger dominated the 15th annual Australian Record Industry Association Awards, winning a total of six awards at the Capitol Theatre in Sydney.
- Kelly Clarkson defeated Justin Guarini to become the first winner of American Idol.
- Rolling Stone magazine named Jimi Hendrix the greatest guitarist in rock history. Also included in the top ten were Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, Keith Richards, Chuck Berry, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Ry Cooder.
- At the MTV Video Music Awards in New York, winners included Missy Elliott for Video of the Year with "Work It", Good Charlotte in the Viewers Choice category for "Lifestyles Of The Rich And Famous", 50 Cent for Best Rap Video with "In Da Club", and Justin Timberlake for Best Pop Video with "Cry Me A River". During a performance of "Like A Virgin", Madonna kissed Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera.
- Del McCoury Band received the major awards at the 14th annual International Bluegrass Music Awards in Louisville, Kentucky. The group won Entertainer of the Year for the eighth time, while members Mike Bub and Jason Carter won Bassist of the Year and Fiddler of the Year.
- Trousers worn by Freddie Mercury in 1984 were sold at a Christie's auction in London to Hard Rock Cafe for £4,230. A wooden cabinet sculpture designed by John Lennon sold for £28,200, and hundreds of items associated with The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, and, according to one source, Madonna were also offered at the auction.
- John Mellencamp received the Woody Guthrie Award, presented to artists who honor the legacy of the late singer Woody Guthrie.
- Radiohead won the “Best Act in the World Today” award at the Q Awards in London for the third consecutive time. Q magazine had criticized their album “Hail to the Thief,” and the band did not attend the ceremony.
- Irish singer and songwriter Damien Rice won the third annual Shortlist Music Prize. The ceremony culminated in a four-and-a-half-hour concert at the Wiltern Theatre in Los Angeles, featuring Rice and seven of the nine nominees. The award was conceived as an American equivalent of the UK's Mercury Prize and recognized progressive artists whose latest albums had sold fewer than 500,000 copies at the time of nomination.
- At this year's Kerrang! Awards, The Darkness won awards for Best British Band and Best Live Band, Metallica won the award for Best Band in the World, Green Day were inducted into the Kerrang! Hall of Fame, Lostprophets won the award for Best Single for “Last Train Home”, and Muse won the award for Best Album for “Absolution”.
- Ohio’s Wilberforce University awarded Lou Rawls an honorary doctorate in recognition of his charitable work for the United Negro College Fund and his lifelong service to the education of historically disadvantaged groups.
- VH1 held its first Hip-Hop Honors, honoring DJ Hollywood, DJ Kool Herc, KRS-One, Public Enemy, Rock Steady Crew, Run-D.M.C., Tupac, and The Sugarhill Gang. Public Enemy also performed at the ceremony.
- Green Day were named the world's best band at the 12th Kerrang! Rock Awards and also won the award for Best Live Act. Funeral For A Friend won Best British Band, My Chemical Romance won Best Album and Best Video, Iron Maiden were inducted into the Kerrang! Hall of Fame and Marilyn Manson received the Icon Award. Foo Fighters' “Best of You” was named Best Single, Trivium were named Best International Newcomer, Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails received the Classic Songwriter award, and Killing Joke received the Lifetime Achievement Award.
- Green Day won seven awards at the MTV Video Music Awards in Miami, including Video of the Year for “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” and the Viewer’s Choice Award. Gwen Stefani won Best Choreography for “Hollaback Girl”, while Gorillaz won Breakthrough Video for “Feel Good Inc.” Kanye West won Best Male Video for “Jesus Walks”. The ceremony took place despite concerns about Hurricane Katrina and a shooting at a pre-awards party.
- Sir Bob Geldof was granted honorary citizenship of his native Dublin after the city council approved the honor in recognition of his campaign against global poverty and for debt relief in Africa.
- Aretha Franklin received the Lady of Soul Award for lifetime achievement at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium.
- Singer and Live Aid co-founder Midge Ure receives an honorary degree from the University of Abertay in Dundee. He says he never expected such an honor after leaving school at age 15.
- The television special “Barry Manilow: Music and Passion” won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program.
- The album "Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band" was voted by the British public as the best album ever to reach No. 1 in a poll held to mark the 50th anniversary of the UK album chart. The Beatles also had "Revolver" at No. 6, "Abbey Road" at No. 8, and "The Beatles" ("White Album") at No. 10 among the top ten.
- Arctic Monkeys won the Mercury Prize for their album Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not, which became the fastest-selling debut album in British chart history upon its release.
- British alternative rock group Muse and Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke were the major winners at the fifth annual BT Digital Music Awards in London. Each received two awards.
- The Recording Industry Association of America honored Fats Domino with the title “American Music Legend”.
- Queen guitarist Brian May received a doctorate in astrophysics from London's Imperial College, 36 years after beginning his doctoral thesis. He had interrupted his studies to pursue a music career, later completing the 48,000-word thesis, which he submitted earlier in the month, and defending it during a three-hour examination.
- The state of Connecticut proclaimed “Bruce Springsteen Day,” a decision announced by Governor Jodi Rell.
- Arctic Monkeys were named the world's best band at the Q Awards in London. The best album award went to Amy Winehouse for Back to Black, Muse won Best Live Act, and Paul McCartney received the Icon of the Year award. Damon Albarn received the Inspiration award, Billy Bragg the Classic Songwriter award, and Johnny Marr the Lifetime Achievement award. Tony Wilson was posthumously named a Q Hero.
- MTV made up for the previous year, when Britney Spears appeared tired during the opening of the Video Music Awards, by giving her three awards for “Piece Of Me”. Kanye West also premiered “Love Lockdown” at the ceremony.
- Johnny Horton and guitarist James Burton were inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame.
- Neil Sedaka received the Silver Heart Award from Britain's Variety Club in Manchester for his outstanding contribution to the music industry.
- Buddy Holly was posthumously honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. His widow Maria Elena, longtime friend Phil Everly and Gary Busey, who portrayed Holly in the 1978 film, attended the ceremony.
- Burton Cummings, keyboardist and singer of The Guess Who, was inducted into the Canada Walk of Fame in Toronto.
- Mandolinist Chris Thile, known from Nickel Creek and Punch Brothers, received a MacArthur Foundation Genius Grant. He learned about the award by telephone and initially thought it was an automated political call.
- The Beatles' classic albums were awarded platinum status after the British Phonographic Industry changed the rules for sales awards. Sgt. Pepper's became triple platinum, while Revolver, Help!, Rubber Soul and The White Album also received platinum status.
- Elton John received the first-ever Brits Icon award during a special concert that marked his return to the stage following appendix surgery. The award was presented to him by Rod Stewart, who jokingly called him the second-best rock singer of all time.
- The British Phonographic Industry announced that The Beatles’ album Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band had received Triple Platinum certification in the United Kingdom. The album had sold more than five million copies in Britain since its 1967 release; the platinum certification system, however, had only existed since 1994.
- Beyoncé won four awards at the MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum in Inglewood, including the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award. Miley Cyrus won Video of the Year for “Wrecking Ball”.
- BBC Radio 2 listeners voted Led Zeppelin's “Whole Lotta Love” the greatest guitar riff of all time. It beat, among others, “Sweet Child O' Mine” by Guns N' Roses, “Back In Black” by AC/DC, “Smoke On The Water” by Deep Purple and “Layla” by Derek and the Dominos.
- Taylor Swift was named Billboard Woman of the Year for the second time on October 10, 2014. She became the first artist to receive the award twice. The honor recognizes women whose success, leadership and innovation influence the music industry.
- Elvis Presley Forever, the second US postage stamp featuring his likeness, was unveiled at Graceland, featuring a 1955 black-and-white portrait by photographer William Speer; it was part of the Music Icons series.
- Taylor Swift and Kanye West reconciled when Swift presented him with the Video Vanguard Award at the MTV Video Music Awards, where West had famously interrupted her acceptance speech six years earlier.
- At the MTV Video Music Awards, she won Video of the Year for “Bad Blood.”
- Johnny Cash was posthumously inducted into the Music City Walk of Fame in Nashville.
- Johnny Cash was posthumously inducted into the Music City Walk of Fame in downtown Nashville. His younger brother Tommy Cash accepted the plaque bearing his name. Johnny Cash died on September 12, 2003, at the age of 71.
- Beyoncé won Video of the Year at the MTV Video Music Awards for “Formation”. In support of the Black Lives Matter movement, she brought four mothers of shooting victims onto the red carpet. During the evening, she and her production designer, choreographer, director, cinematographer, and editor won a total of eight awards, which according to the source represented a record number of wins in a single evening.
- Rod Stewart was knighted by Prince William at Buckingham Palace, receiving the title Sir Roderick David Stewart. The honour recognised his contributions to music and charity, including support for the British Red Cross, Breast Cancer Care and the Elton John AIDS Foundation. Stewart said he was deeply grateful for his career and for the support of the British public.
- Bob Dylan was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, becoming the first songwriter to receive the honor. The Swedish Academy recognized him for creating new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition.
- Kendrick Lamar won Video of the Year at the MTV Video Music Awards for “HUMBLE.” and Taylor Swift premiered her music video “Look What You Made Me Do” there.
- In the United Kingdom, Elton John was honored with a new set of Royal Mail postage stamps dedicated to his career. He became only the second individual musical artist to receive the honor, after David Bowie in 2017.
- The documentary series The Beatles: Get Back won five Emmy Awards at a ceremony in Los Angeles. Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, director Peter Jackson and producers Yoko Ono, Olivia Harrison, Clare Olssen and Jonathan Clyde received the award for Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series. Peter Jackson also won for directing, while the production was recognized for picture editing, sound editing and sound mixing.
- The British postal service Royal Mail announced the release of a special series of twelve stamps commemorating The Who's 60th anniversary. Eight stamps featured their iconic albums: My Generation (1965), Tommy (1969), Who's Next (1971), Quadrophenia (1973), Who Are You (1978), Face Dances (1981), Endless Wire (2006), and WHO (2019). Other stamps depicted the band and their live performances. The Who thus became the seventh musical act to receive their own Royal Mail stamp series, following The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Queen, The Rolling Stones, Iron Maiden, and the Spice Girls.
- Mariah Carey, a longtime MTV favorite who had never previously won a VMA, finally received the Video Vanguard Award. Video of the Year went to Ariana Grande for the 26-minute short film “Brighter Days Ahead”.