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ATLANTA--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--And the winner isa The Sprite Filmsa" program is pulling back the curtain to showcase the talented winning filmmakers behind the short films that captivated online audiences after a consumer vote-off on Sprite.com. Simon Savelyev and Steven Huffaker from University of California, Los Angeles have been chosen as the Green Ribbon Panel Award winner for their short film aProm Nighta, and Jay Light, a graduate of Elon University, has won Americaas votes for aRocketeera and takes home the Consumersa Choice Award.

"We look forward to continuing to partner with prestigious film colleges and universities across the country in 2013."

Green Ribbon Panel Award winner a" aProm Nighta
Simon Savelyev and Steven Huffaker, University of California, Los Angeles

The Green Ribbon Panel of renowned film industry professionals has selected aProm Nighta for the first place award of the Sprite Films program. Simon Savelyev from Los Angeles and Simon Huffaker from Riverside, California, will see their short film shown in select theaters this November.

"Weare extremely thankful to have had this wonderful opportunity to share our work on a BIG level and weare SUPER excited to see our short film in theaters in November!a said Simon Savelyev and Steven Huffaker. aTo know that our short film was selected first place by a panel of industry pros is a really satisfying honor."

Consumersa Choice Award Winner a" aRocketeera
Jay Light, Graduate of Elon University

The six original shorts of the Sprite Films program were featured at Sprite.com for America to view and vote for their favorite film every day during the voting phase. The votes are in, and aRocketeera is Americaas top pick. Jay Light from Colleyville, Texas has won this honor.

aOur team came together to create aRocketeera from script to screen and I am very proud of the work we accomplished together,a said Jay Light. aI hope we showed the world what Elon University is capable of in the world of film. Itas so great to know that Americans enjoyed watching aRocketeera. Itas also satisfying to know I can produce a film people enjoy watching!a

aThere was fierce competition among the Sprite Films filmmakers this year and Simon Savelyev, Steven Huffaker and Jay Light join a very talented group of previous winners with strong creative talent,a said Karen Oettl, brand manager for Sprite. aWe look forward to continuing to partner with prestigious film colleges and universities across the country in 2013.a

Young filmmakers from colleges and universities across the United States submitted scripts to the Sprite Films program that were inspired by the 100 year film history of Universal Pictures. Six teams were selected to create and produce short films for the opportunity to see their scripts come to life on the big screen. The finalists were mentored by actor Tyrese Gibson who starred in a :30 pre-feature cinema spot encouraging consumers to visit Sprite.com and vote for their favorite film as part of Spriteas new integrated marketing campaign aThereas Nothing Soft About It.a

The History of Sprite Films

The Sprite Films program was formerly the Coca-Cola Refreshing Filmmakerasa" Award, which was presented annually by Coca-Cola beginning in 1998. The program will now continue through the Sprite brand and will engage youth nationwide with real-life challenging opportunities to leverage their talents, ignite fresh thinking and realize their potential for greatness behind the camera and beyond.

About The Coca-Cola Company

[ The Coca-Cola Company ] (NYSE: KO) is the world's largest beverage company, refreshing consumers with more than 500 sparkling and still brands. Led by Coca-Cola, the world's most valuable brand, our Companyas portfolio features 15 billion dollar brands including Diet Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Coca-Cola Zeroa", vitaminwater, Powerade, Minute Maid, Simply, Georgiaand DelValle. Globally, we are the No. 1 provider of sparkling beverages, ready-to-drink coffees, and juices and juice drinks. Through the world's largest beverage distribution system, consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy our beverages at a rate of 1.8 billion servings a day. With an enduring commitment to building sustainable communities, our Company is focused on initiatives that reduce our environmental footprint, support active, healthy living, create a safe, inclusive work environment for our associates, and enhance the economic development of the communities where we operate. Together with our bottling partners, we rank among the worldas top 10 private employers with more than 700,000 system employees. For more information, please visit [ www.thecoca-colacompany.com ] or follow us on Twitter at [ www.twitter.com/CocaColaCo ].