Greg Berlanti proudly received the first-ever Greg Berlanti Social Impact Award at the UCLA Center for Scholars and Storytellers’s annual Teens and Screens Summit on Thursday in Los Angeles. As a celebrated writer, director, producer, and showrunner known for acclaimed works including “Love, Simon,” “Dawson’s Creek,” “Riverdale,” “You,” and many productions within the CW’s “Arrowverse,” Berlanti delivered an emotional acceptance speech about his own journey towards self-acceptance that inspired him to create inclusive narratives that allow audiences to feel valued and embraced.
“As storytellers in Hollywood, we have the chance to heal our past narratives, crafting new ones that are genuine and vulnerable. These stories can transform hearts and perceptions, reminding audiences how much our human experiences connect us across differences,” Berlanti reflected with emotion. “We all desire connection. We all strive to be seen and understood. We all yearn for love.”
Berlanti recounted some of his personal “old stories” that provided him with the opportunity for healing and growth throughout his remarkable career. He reflected on his childhood fondness for television, along with the harsh realization of a significant void: “I was a closeted gay teenager, and LGBTQ representation on TV was sparse.”
He continued by describing a fortuitous encounter at an AIDS march in New York City, which offered him his first semblance of positive representation of queer individuals, yet when a marcher extended their hand towards him, he hesitated. “He stood there waiting for me to take it, but I didn’t. I lacked the courage. I feared revealing my secret to my parents or others, so I simply looked away,” he said. “Much of my youth was spent evading that outstretched hand, filled with fear at first, but later, discovering the strength to embrace who I truly am and, ultimately, love myself.”
The narrative circled back years later when Berlanti had the chance to screen “Love, Simon” in Olathe, Kansas, in 2018. Following the screening, a 14-year-old boy came out publicly and expressed his gratitude to Berlanti for the films and shows that had helped him feel less isolated. “As he reached out his hand to shake mine,” Berlanti shared, “I realized it was a second chance to grasp the hand I had left unheld so many years prior.”
Julie Plec and Kevin Williamson, Berlanti’s writing partners, introduced the award and its namesake. “Working with Greg often brings tears, though that’s not coincidental. His work is centered around profound, heartfelt emotion because that’s simply who Greg is,” said Williamson, with Plec adding, “He has gifted us some of the most heartfelt, diverse, and ambitious storytelling in television. Whether it features a superhero, a teen’s first love, or a family navigating challenges, his shows don’t just entertain; they truly see us.”
Molly Ringwald, known for her role in “Riverdale,” contributed a video message likening Berlanti to filmmaker John Hughes. She noted that while her iconic collaborations with Hughes from the 1980s have “stood the test of time, they are also reflective of their era,” and emphasized how “Greg Berlanti has built upon this legacy, innovating our modern depictions of adolescence with more inclusive representations of our diverse society.”
The ceremony’s emphasis on Berlanti’s impact on the young adult genre resonated beautifully within the context of the Summit, aligned with the Center for Scholars and Storytellers’ annual Teens and Screens report. This report sheds light on the media preferences and consumption patterns of Gen-Z Americans, revealing that young individuals continue to cherish traditional films and television, typically experiencing them in shorter formats on platforms like TikTok and YouTube. Additionally, they demonstrate a strong affinity for animation, a disinterest in overly sexualized storylines, and a demand for authentic representations reflecting their realities.
The Summit explored these insights through various panels and discussions featuring media executives, creators, and scholars. One standout session was the “Ask The Teens” panel, where four teenagers engaged in a conversation about their preferences, moderated by Roblox Youth Engagement Program Manager, Andres Cuervo. The young participants backed much of the report’s findings, elaborating on their aversion to “trend chasing” media that feels disingenuous, instead opting for more sincere storytelling. “Teens, much like adults, are not a monolith. They possess varied opinions, beliefs, races, sexualities, and religions. We should explore and embrace these differences,” asserted Hollyn Alpert, a 15-year-old creator of the Stories Without Borders podcast, capturing the attention of a room full of seasoned Hollywood professionals.
Concluding his address, Berlanti highlighted the significance of listening to these youthful voices, stating, “It is a tremendous gift to positively impact the lives of young audiences by reminding them of their worth and fostering empathy and belonging. In return, they inspire us with hope. Young people are where I find my deepest sense of hope these days. Regardless of how bleak times might appear, or how tumultuous our journey toward the future may be, I trust the future will shine brighter because of our youth.”
