A Story That Traveled Further Than I Expected
- Xyle Altura
- Apr 27
- 2 min read
Updated: Apr 28
Some people work thousands of miles from home — this is their story. And somehow, that story ended up on a stage at the Avalon Event Center in Fargo, North Dakota, winning two ADDYs at the American Advertising Awards.
Carhartt Spec Ad
The Quiet Confidence of Not Knowing What's Coming
I walked into the AAF ND Chapter Awards ceremony this past February with my coworkers from AdShark, a few friends, and a quiet sense of uncertainty. I had only submitted one piece of work that year — a 45-second cinematic film I made for the Carhartt brand, entirely on my own. No crew. No big budget. Just a camera, a vision, and support from my parents.
The AdShark Team at the ADDYs
One Silver. One Shout. Then the Night Got Better.
I wasn't expecting much. When the first category came up and they called my name for a Silver ADDY in TV Advertising, I was already floored. Then someone in the crowd shouted, 'Give him gold!' — and by the end of the night, when the Cinematography category came around, they did exactly that.
From Fargo to District 8 — and Now the National Stage
Both advanced to District 8, where they won two Gold ADDYs — both in the student categories in TV Advertising and Cinematography. Now they are to be judged at the National Stage, which will be held later in May.
What the Win Really Meant
The recognition meant more than I expected — not just because of the awards themselves, but because of what this film represents. It's a story rooted in sacrifice, family, and the invisible hard work of people who leave everything they know to build something better. It's a story I've lived close to my whole life.
But to understand why that night hit the way it did, you have to know where the idea came from. That's what the next post is about.
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