Elon student wins Nukebusters Short Film Contest

Jonny Deaton’s award-winning film, "Joining the Conversation," highlights millennials and their knowledge of nuclear weapons and development. 

Jonny Deaton '17 receives his Nukebusters Short Film Contest award at the Physicians for Social Responsibility’s Gala for Peace and Health in Washington, D.C. Photo courtesy of Jonny Deaton & The Pendulum

Jonny Deaton ’17, a cinema and television arts major in the School of Communications, captured first place in the student category of the Nukebusters 2015 Short Film Contest.   

His film, “Joining the Conversation,” examines the relationship between millennials and their knowledge of nuclear weapons and development. Elon alumnus Will Lee ’15 served as the project’s director of photography.

The Nukebusters competition was sponsored by Physicians for Social Responsibility, a physician-led organization working to protect the public from the threats of nuclear proliferation, climate change and environmental toxins. All contest participants were encouraged to create a 1-4 minute video that would inspire young adults to eliminate the United States’ use of nuclear weapons, according to the Physicians for Social Responsibility website.

Caroline Perry ’18, a senior reporter for The Pendulum, wrote an in-depth article about Deaton’s award titled “Breaking down nuclear weapons.” The article appeared in the Sept. 30, 2015, issue of The Pendulum.​