Big F*cking Deal is a short film that explores the stigma and systemic inequality that people experience when living with HIV and additional challenges. Even though HIV can be medically managed, stigma and inequality continue to determine who gets consistent, safe care. When living with HIV includes facing mental health challenges, substance use, unstable housing, or discrimination, treatment can quickly become impossible to maintain. The film brings those lived realities to the surface, showing how a treatable condition can turn into a life-shaping crisis. The creative idea began with a simple insight: we often see unhoused people and look away. The film helps humanize those we disregard, especially the people for managing HIV without a strong support system. By fully inhabiting Jordan’s life, the story shows love, joy, loss, and deterioration, not as a moral failure, but as the result of stigma, shame, and eroding mental health. The film engenders empathy by showing how easily any life can unravel. https://smashstigma.ca/ CREDITS Agency Bensimon Byrne Chief Creative Officer: Joseph Bonnici  Executive Creative Director: Gints Bruveris Creative Director: David Mueller Art Director: Diana D’Alesio   Writer: Justin Ross Senior Producer: Katie Link VP, Group Business Lead: Will Dell Business Lead: Skye Gandy Associate Media Director: Zeenat Asif Project Manager: Ginifsa De La Cruz Narrative XPR  VP, Narrative: Rohini Mukherji Account Director, Marketing Integration: Ashley Belfast Account Director: Sheri Clish  Executive Creative Director: Jessie Sorell  Production Folktale Films Directed by Hubert Davis Executive Producer: Tom Evelyn Executive Producer: Nicholas Taylor Executive Producer: Reuben Taylor Producer: Erik Wilson DOP: Daniel Grant 1st AD: Jeff Cowan 1st AC: Chris Reilly  2nd AC: Marty Monette Wardrobe Designer: Alexandra Busgang HMU: Cathyann Cuthbert Production Designer: Jenna Allain Location Manager: Alex Panavas Editorial Editor: Ashton Lewis Post Producer: Katie Link DarlingVFX Colourist: Patrick Samaniego Colour Assistant: Eric Kingsbury Post Producer: Faith Clark Executive Post Producer: Kristen Van Fleet VFX / Finishing DarlingVFX Lead VFX Artist: Steve McGregor VFX Assistant: Lee Nisar VFX Producer: Faith Clark Executive Post Producer: Kristen Van Fleet Audio Berkeley Inc. Original Music Composition: Berkeley Inc. Sound Design & Mix: Berkeley Inc. Creative Director: Jared Kuemper Producer: Julia Vasiliev Engineer: Tyler Young Asst Engineer: Adrian Morningstar SOCIAL LINKS CASEY HOUSE https://www.instagram.com/caseyhouseto/ BENSIMON BYRNE https://www.instagram.com/bensimonbyrne/ Learn more at caseyhouse.ca

Director: TUSK (Steam Films) Editor: Izzy Elhrich (School Editorial) Finishing: DarlingVFX Audio: Pirate Sound

Director: Sergi Shevtsov (Radke) DOP: Shady Hanna Editor: Mark Paiva (Saints Editorial) Colour: Patrick Samaniego (DarlingVFX) Finishing: DarlingVFX Audio & Sound Design: Pirate Sound

Director: Angie Bird (Westside Studios) DOP: Daniel Grant Editor: Izzy Ehrlich (School Editorial) Colour: Eric Whipp Finishing: AlterEgo Audio & Sound Design: Oso Sound Track ID: Praise You (cover) - Hannah Grace

Director: Director X (Fela) DOP: Shady Hanna Editor: Nick Yumul (Nimiopere) Colour: Dave Hussey (Company3) Original Music and Sound Design: Oso Sound

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