Washington, D.C. — A local filmmaker is receiving national recognition for her powerful work raising awareness about food insecurity in underserved communities.
Morgan Hawkins, a Washington, D.C. native, was named a winner in the Nourishing Narratives Mobile Film Competition, a national contest aimed at highlighting personal stories connected to food access, equity, and justice.
Her short film explores the harsh realities of living in a food desert—urban or rural areas where residents have limited access to affordable, healthy food. Through raw storytelling and visuals captured on her mobile device, Morgan brings to light how food insecurity impacts everyday lives in her own community.
A Personal Mission
In a recent interview with 7News’ Kidd O’Shea, Morgan shared how deeply personal this topic is for her.
“This isn’t just something I read about—this is something I’ve lived through and witnessed in my own neighborhood,” she said. “I wanted to give a voice to people who often feel overlooked when it comes to healthy food options.”
Morgan added that during the filmmaking process, she gained a deeper understanding of how food deserts disproportionately affect low-income families and communities of color, leading to long-term health and economic challenges.
Recognition and Future Opportunities
As part of her award, Morgan will be traveling to Los Angeles next month to officially accept her honor and participate in networking events with fellow filmmakers, food justice advocates, and industry leaders.
“It’s surreal,” she said. “I never expected a project shot on my phone to go this far, but it shows how powerful storytelling can be when it comes from the heart.”
The Nourishing Narratives initiative is designed to empower emerging creatives to tell their own stories using accessible technology. The competition attracted submissions from across the country, each focusing on themes like food justice, hunger, and community resilience.
Learn More
Morgan’s winning film and others from the competition can be viewed on the Nourishing Narratives website, where visitors can also learn how to get involved in supporting food equity efforts.
With her award-winning film, Morgan Hawkins is not just telling a story—she’s helping spark a conversation that matters.
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