How Do You Measure Up? Song Writing Contest Seeking Songs That Go Beyond!

Oct. 13, 2010 - PRLog -- Surviving a 25-year struggle with anorexia that almost claimed her life when she was just 12 years old, Dena Ashbaugh, Vancouver actress and former international model joined filmmaker Sonja Ruebsaat to create, "No Numbers: Identity beyond measure". This documentary looks at the possibilities of recovery and tells the stories of three women who use film to move past the self-destructive practices of disordered eating toward self-creation and the discovery of  their own voices.  

These filmmakers want you to find your voice and express your identity beyond measure in song. The contest is open to emerging and professional singers/songwriters in the US and Canada, the winning song will be professionally recorded at FaderMaster Studios in Vancouver, BC, and featured in the film's opening. This new song will premiere at screenings across North America throughout February 2011, in recognition of Eating Disorder Awareness Week. Celebrity judges include GLEE's Coach Ken Tanaka, Patrick Gallagher, Ryan Robbins from SANCTUARY and composer Hildegard Westerkamp whose music is featured in Gus Van Sant's LAST DAYS, and ELEPHANT. Visit www.nonumbers.ca for contest details and to enter!

Ashbaugh explains, " 'No Numbers' encourages reclaiming ourselves through creative expression and connection in resistance to a society that can be quite isolating in making us feel like we never quite measure up. We want to put the film’s message into action and give others, especially youth, the opportunity to celebrate living beyond measure.” Given the fact 80% -90% of North American women dislike the size of and shape of their bodies, this is a step in the right direction. Furthermore, with a percentage of all February DVD sales going toward eating disorder awareness groups, entire communities benefit.

Those in greater Vancouver can attend a free screening sponsored by Richmond Mental Health and CHIMO Crises Services, 7pm, October 20th at the Fisher Auditorium at Richmond Hospital. "No Numbers" screens the next afternoon in Whitby as part of the Imagine Film Festival (http://www.ontarioshores.ca/imagine/index.htm), also featuring a performance by Chantal Kreviazuk who will share her own connection to mental health.

"No Numbers" inspires change and as psychologist Aviva Laye-Gindu states, "The extraordinary strength and courage evident in this film’s stories of struggle and recovery remind us of the power of acceptance, creativity, and the sharing that is so vital in living fully.”

For full contest details and to enter, visit www.nonumbers.ca. Want to host a screening? Need more information?  Contact No Numbers Productions at 1-778-317-2050 or info@nonumbers.ca

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No Numbers Productions is comprised of Dena Ashbaugh and Sonja Ruebsaat. We created, produced and directed "No Numbers: Identity beyond measure" a groundbreaking documentary about recovery from disordered eating that offers hope and possibility by promoting new ways of thinking about health and well-being.