- Winning documentaries will be screened at schools, colleges and social events as part of preventive education
- Cash prizes worth three lakhs, trophies and recognitions await the winners!
Chennai, 12 June, 2025
Grace Foundation in association with Utopia Therapy invites passionate film makers to register and participate in “Say No to Alcohol” Awareness Documentary Contest and become a voice for positive change. The documentary contest is an open call for students, educators, and creative minds from across all age groups in Tamil Nadu to participate and make a collective effort in fostering a drug-free State of Tamil Nadu. The Documentary with a duration of up to fifteen minutes can either be in Tamil or a silent film that integrates education and creativity to bring about awareness on fighting against substance abuse. The video should be uploaded to a Google Drive / YouTube (unlisted) link and emailed to [email protected] The last date for submission of the video link along with the participant details is July 15, 2025. Winners will be announced on August 3, 2025 and will receive cash prizes and special recognition awards along with a Trophy and a Certificate of Excellence. The winning documentaries will be screened across all schools, colleges, community levels and at social events organized by the foundation to educate, encourage and empower student participation early in life to proactively build resilience and reduce the likelihood of drug use.
Grace Foundation Launches Pioneering Preventive Care Initiative to Combat Alcohol and Substance Abuse
In a significant step towards addressing the growing crisis of alcohol and substance abuse, especially among youth, Grace Foundation was officially launched today. At the launch conference, Dr. Aathira Naevis Prabhakar, Founder of Grace Foundation and Utopia Therapy, introduced the Foundation’s ground-breaking approach centered on preventive care and education.
“In today’s fast-paced and fragmented society, we are witnessing a disturbing rise in alcohol and substance abuse, particularly among young people. What often begins as harmless experimentation quickly spirals into addiction, stealing away potential, disrupting families, and hindering societal progress,” Dr. Aathira stated.
Grace Foundation stands firm on the belief that addiction is not a moral failure but a medical condition — one that demands early intervention through preventive education. While India has developed comprehensive models for treatment and rehabilitation, preventive care, particularly in rural and school systems, remains underdeveloped.
Prevention as the Most Powerful Treatment
At the heart of Grace Foundation’s mission is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)-based visual learning programs, beginning with the “Say No to Alcohol” Awareness Documentary Contest. This innovative initiative uses the power of visual storytelling to engage young minds, shaping their thoughts, behaviours, and ultimately, their character.
“As we all know, what we see becomes our thoughts, our thoughts shape our behaviours, and behaviours define our character,” Dr. Aathira emphasized. “By influencing children early through visual learning, we are equipping them to make informed, resilient choices even in the face of peer pressure.”
The winners of the short film contest will not only be recognized for their creativity, but will also play a major role in preventive care itself. Their films will serve as ongoing educational tools, screened across schools, colleges, community centres, and social events organized by the Foundation. These powerful visual messages will contribute directly to reducing the incidence of alcohol and substance abuse by empowering students and communities with knowledge and emotional resilience.
Beyond Addiction: Addressing the Root Causes
Through Utopia Therapy, Grace Foundation also incorporates neuroscience and emotional health to address the deeper issues often underlying addiction — including emotional wounds, family trauma, and gut-brain imbalances. This holistic approach ensures that prevention is not just about avoiding substances but building stronger, healthier individuals from within.
“Our goal isn’t just to treat addiction. It is to create a generation that never needs to be treated. We want a Tamil Nadu where, No thirteen-year-old buys tobacco from a corner shop, No college student reaches for alcohol to numb emotional pain, No parent cries over a lost child because society failed to guide them early enough. We strongly believe that addiction is not a moral failure—it is a health condition and prevention is the most powerful treatment that we can offer”, Dr. Aathira added.
In addition to awareness generation, Grace Foundation endeavours to offer counselling and evidence-based rehabilitation treatment and care in a supportive environment that will guide the individuals of substance use through every step of recovery and successfully reintegrate them back into the community. The foundation’s rehab centres will provide a holistic approach to recovery, where the individuals not only rebuild their connections and relationships, but also adapt to healthier and more fulfilling lifestyles. Grace Foundation calls for Parents, Educators, Youth, Policy Makers and Communities to come together to create a safe environment, be the first line of awareness and emotional support, be an active part of social campaigns against substance abuse, remove the stigma and become part of the de-addiction prevention drive.
Media Contact: Amarnath, Catalyst PR @ +91 98418 25081. Annexure:
About the contest:
- Theme & Objective: “Say No to Alcohol” Awareness Video/ Documentary Contest. This competition aims to spread awareness about the negative effects of alcohol abuse and its consequences on health, family, and society.
- Who can participate? Students, educators, and creative minds from all age groups
- Eligibility Criteria: All content must be original and created by the participants. Plagiarism or unauthorized use of copyrighted material will result in disqualification.
Competition Guidelines:
- Participants must create a short video (up to 15 minutes) that effectively delivers a strong, age-appropriate message against alcohol abuse.
- The video should highlight the dangers of alcohol addiction, its impact on health, family life, and the community.
- Content should be engaging, impactful for children, and suitable for viewers of all ages.
- The submission must be original and must not contain violent, offensive, or inappropriate content.
- Language: Only Tamil is allowed. Silent Movies are also accepted.
- All submitted videos will be copyrighted under Grace Foundation to be used for educational and awareness purposes.
How to Participate:
- Create a short video that meets the contest criteria
- Upload your video to a Google Drive / YouTube (unlisted) link and share the link to [email protected] along with the participant details [name, age, contact number]
- Submit your video link by 15th of July,2025
- Winners will be announced on 3rd August 2025
- Last Date for Submission: 15th of July 2025
- Announcement of Winners: 3rd August 2025
- For more details, email to [email protected]
What will the winners get?
Awards & Recognition:
- I Place: Rs. 1 Lakh cash prize + Trophy + Certificate of Excellence + Feature on our official platforms
- II Place: Rs. 75,000 cash prize + Certificate of Recognition + Feature on our platforms
- III Place: Rs. 50,000 cash prize + Certificate of Appreciation + Feature on our platforms
Special Recognition Awards (for 4 individuals):
Rs. 25,000 cash prize each + Certificate for Best Effort + Feature on our platforms Selected videos may be used for educational campaigns to spread awareness in schools, colleges, and social programs by Grace Foundation & Utopia Therapy.
Judging Criteria May Include:
- Message Impact – How effectively does the video convey the dangers of alcohol abuse.
- Creativity – Innovative storytelling and presentation.
- Engagement – How well does the video connect with children and audiences of all ages.
- Clarity & Quality – Clear visuals, audio, and well-structured content.
General Guidelines:
Content should be age-appropriate and suitable for a general audience, including children and families. Themes should encourage creativity, positivity, and constructive storytelling. Language used in the film should be respectful and appropriate for all age groups.
Prohibited Content
- Defamation: Films must not target, insult, or defame any individual, group, community, religion, or government body.
- Violence: Submissions must avoid explicit or graphic depictions of violence, cruelty, or abuse in any form.
- Adult Content: Sexual content, nudity, and vulgarity are strictly prohibited.
- Hate Speech & Discrimination: Content must not promote or glorify hate, discrimination, or prejudice based on race, gender, caste, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, or disability.
About Grace Foundation:
- Our Trust is more than an initiative — it is a movement. A movement to:
- Revive the minds of the youth with hope, education, and support.
- Rescue individuals from the grip of addiction through rehabilitation and counselling.
- Rebuild communities by promoting values, mental health awareness, and family support systems.
- Replace stigma with empathy, and silence with open conversations.
OBJECTIVES OF THE TRUST
a) Alcohol and Substance Abuse Prevention
Conduct awareness campaigns, school programs, and public seminars.
Collaborate with institutions and governments to address addiction-related issues.
b) Rehabilitation Services
Establish and operate de-addiction and rehabilitation centers.
Provide medical, psychological, and vocational rehabilitation for affected individuals.
c) Support and Reintegration
Offer counseling to addicts and their families.
Provide vocational training and support for reintegration into society.
d) Research and Advocacy
Conduct studies on addiction, mental health, and recovery models.
Advocate for evidence-based policies and de-stigmatization.
e) Any Other Charitable Purpose
Provide emergency relief, education, and mental health services aligned with the mission.
f) The foundation will organize competitions to actively engage people of all age groups and encourage their participation in the alcohol and substance abuse awareness initiative.
