Entertainment
Girls Who Code Launches Digital Experience to Change the Future of Women in Gaming
In this culture-shifting campaign, “Girls Who Code Girls” invites users to code the characters they want to see in games
Last Updated on July 30, 2024 by Daily News Staff
In this culture-shifting campaign, “Girls Who Code Girls” invites users to code the characters they want to see in games
The experience, in partnership with Mojo Supermarket, celebrates Computer Science Education Week.
Visit www.girlswhocodegirls.com
NEW YORK /PRNewswire/ — Today, Girls Who Code, a nonprofit working to close the gender gap in tech, launched Girls Who Code Girls, a desktop and mobile gaming experience empowering girls to create personalized video game characters with code. Right now, 77% of video game developers are men and only 20% of all characters are women. The platform aims to disrupt this imbalance and challenge a gaming culture marked by misogyny by inspiring users of all backgrounds to envision a gaming experience that’s more reflective of themselves and their communities.
Girls Who Code Girls is a gaming experience empowering girls to create personalized video game characters with code.Tweet
Girls Who Code Girls was designed to celebrate the diversity of the Girls Who Code community while teaching computer science fundamentals. The experience provides infinite code-able combinations, from hair texture to skin specificity to body size, and coders will be able to code their avatars with unique and underrepresented attributes. The learnings from the experience will be collected and shared with the intention of impacting the future of female characters in games. The library of characters will also be licensable and offered to gaming companies to inform their game development.
“Though almost half of all gamers are women, we don’t see them represented in game development. As a result, what we do see is a gaming experience catered to the white, male gaze that alienates some of its most passionate and diverse fans,” said Tarika Barrett, CEO of Girls Who Code. “That’s why we created Girls Who Code Girls. By turning users into creators, we’re empowering our community to use coding to upend the status quo and imagine a future where they can harness their passion and creativity into a career in tech. We want our students to know that they deserve to take up space in gaming and game development, and can create characters that reflect the best parts of who they are.”
Mojo Supermarket – the creative company behind previous Girls Who Code campaigns including the Cannes Lions Award and Clio Award-winning Doja Code – partnered with an interactive production studio, Make Me Pulse, to make Girls Who Code Girls a reality.
“With Girls Who Code Girls, we set out to accomplish two goals. First, provide girls and young women with a fun, creative entry point to trying out code. And second, to draw attention to the fact that if more women coded video game characters they would look more like real women. Our ambition is that with every line of code you type you can influence the future of women in gaming.,” said Kate Carter, Group Creative Director, Mojo Supermarket. “We saw how much girls enjoyed DojaCode as an interactive experience, so we wanted to give them another fun one, while showing the world, and gaming companies, why it’s so important that we invest in getting more young women into the tech and gaming fields.”
HOW DOES GIRLS WHO CODE GIRLS WORK?
- Gamers visit GirlsWhoCodeGirls.com, where they can code and customize their own gaming characters.
- Users are introduced to four coding languages featured on the site.
- As the experience continues, users are guided through the process with clear instructions on what to input and how — making it easy and seamless for a beginner.
- Users watch as their characters change in real-time based on the coding alterations they have written.
- As the experience wraps, fans leave Girls Who Code Girls and share the characters they have coded and created.
“As a woman in STEM, I am so excited and humbled to be partnering with Girls who Code on this campaign,” said Ainul Md Razib, a software developer & tech influencer based in Singapore (@ainlovescode). “Our global community still has much work to do in boosting women and non-binary people in gaming. That’s why I believe Girls Who Code Girls is and will be a crucial piece to expanding the diversity of people in gaming for the long term!”
Girls Who Code Girls was created with generous support from Lyda Hill Philanthropies.
“We are proud to see another innovative way more perspectives are being incorporated into gaming that young people consume in the Girls Who Code Girls experience,” Nicole Small, CEO and President of Lyda Hill Philanthropies said. “Closing the gender gap in technology spaces like video game design means a more inclusive and inspiring world for the next generation of young women.”
To enter the gaming experience, go to www.girlswhocodegirls.com.
About Girls Who Code
Girls Who Code is an international nonprofit organization working to close the gender gap in technology, and leading the movement to inspire, educate, and equip students who identify as girls or nonbinary with the computing skills needed to pursue 21st-century opportunities. Since launching in 2012, Girls Who Code has reached 500,000 students through in-person and virtual programming, and 115,000 of our alumni are college or career-aged.
Girls Who Code has sparked culture change through marketing campaigns and advocacy efforts, generating 14 Billion engagements globally. In 2019, the organization was named the #1 Most Innovative Non-Profit on Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies list, and in 2022 was named one of NonProfit Times’ Best Nonprofits to Work For.
Follow the organization on social media @GirlsWhoCode.
About MojoSupermarket
Mojo Supermarket creates ideas that rewire how people think. We’re a creative company responsible for Girls Who Code’s DojaCode, Truth Initiative’s Depression Stick, Match’s Adults Date Better, and more. And while we love our brand clients, we also create our own passion projects including Give Her a Break and The Slavery Cup. We’ve been named Ad Age’s Small Agency of the Year 2022, Ad Age’s Best Places to Work 2022, and a finalist for Adweek’s Breakthrough Agency of the Year 2022.
SOURCE Girls Who Code
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SeaWorld is leaning hard into summer nights in 2026, rolling out a coast-to-coast entertainment lineup across Orlando, San Diego, and San Antonio. The headline addition: all three parks will feature all-new nighttime drone shows, paired with nighttime animal presentations, seasonal concerts, parades, and event-style programming designed to keep families in the park after sunset.
SeaWorld says the goal is a bigger, more immersive summer experience that blends animal encounters with high-energy entertainment. Marc Swanson, CEO of United Parks & Resorts (SeaWorld’s parent company), said the company is “raising the bar across the country” with a mix of “cutting-edge drone displays” and “nonstop family fun” meant to create lasting memories.
What’s new across all three parks
Across Orlando, San Diego, and San Antonio, SeaWorld’s summer push centers on nighttime programming. The parks are introducing new drone spectacles (with San Diego and San Antonio debuting drone shows for the first time, and Orlando launching a new version), plus new nighttime animal presentations and event-style entertainment.
Families planning travel around theme parks will want to watch two things: start dates and nighttime schedules, since several offerings roll out in late May and mid-June depending on the park.
SeaWorld Orlando: Electric Ocean returns June 12
In Orlando, SeaWorld’s summer nights are anchored by Electric Ocean, beginning June 12. The event is built as a full evening block: performance show, dance party energy, animal presentations, and a closing sky show.
Electric Ocean includes:
- Hydro Surge: Cirque Spectacular Show, a high-energy cirque-style production with acrobatics, dancers, and live drumming
- Club SeaGlow, an evening DJ party with dancers and atmospheric acts
- An all-new drone spectacle, featuring hundreds of synchronized drones forming ocean-themed scenes
- Ignite: A Fireworks Spectacular, returning with an enhanced mix of fireworks, fountains, lighting, and music
Also beginning June 12, SeaWorld Orlando is introducing three new nighttime animal presentations:
- Shamu Celebration: Light Up The Night
- Sea Lions Tonite
- Dolphins: Touch the Sky
SeaWorld also teased a new attraction opening this summer: Expedition Odyssey: Fire & Ice, described as a scientific mission exploring the most powerful forces that shape one of the most extreme environments on Earth.
SeaWorld San Diego: Drone show debut, Shark Encounter, and a summer concert series
SeaWorld San Diego’s summer programming begins May 22, with a slate that runs from daytime experiences into nighttime entertainment. The biggest “first” is the park’s debut drone show.
New offerings starting May 22 include:
- Ocean of Dreams Drone Show, a 12-minute nighttime show featuring 600 synchronized drones set to a soaring soundtrack
- Shark Encounter, a refreshed, interactive, immersive experience featuring sharks from 11 species
- Dolphin Adventures, featuring dolphins, pilot whales, and “the next generation of dolphins”
- The Wonders of North American Wildlife, highlighting native wildlife diversity and rescue/rehabilitation stories
- Deep Sea Disco, a dance-focused nighttime experience under SkyTower lights
On June 12, SeaWorld San Diego adds three nighttime animal presentations:
- Shamu Celebration: Light Up The Night
- Sea Lions Tonite
- Dolphins: Touch the Sky
The park is also bringing back fan-favorite shows including BMX Blast! Powered by BODYARMOR and Pirates Ahoy! The Battle for Mermaid Cove. Plus, SeaWorld says its 2026 Summer Concert Series will run every Saturday, spotlighting artists tied to ’90s and early-2000s hip hop and R&B.
SeaWorld San Antonio: Electric Ocean, a 400-drone finale, and a new family coaster
SeaWorld San Antonio’s summer lineup also starts May 22, led by its own version of Electric Ocean. The park’s summer nights are built around parade energy, stunt action, and a drone finale.
Electric Ocean in San Antonio includes:
- RhythMotion Ocean Parade, featuring floats, dancers, and characters
- Hydropower: Xtreme FX, a waterski stunt show with pyrotechnics, lasers, and live music
- SeaWorld Illuminight Drone Finale, featuring 400 synchronized drones creating marine-life-inspired animations
San Antonio is also adding two nighttime animal presentations beginning May 22:
- Shamu Celebration: Light Up the Night
- Sea Lions Tonite
For families looking for a ride-centered reason to visit, SeaWorld San Antonio is promoting Barracuda Strike, described as the tallest inverted family coaster in North America.
Annual Pass angle for repeat visits
SeaWorld is positioning its Annual Pass as the best way to experience the summer lineup, emphasizing unlimited visits and perks like savings on merchandise, reserved seating, and add-ons.
A note on SeaWorld’s conservation and rescue work
Alongside the entertainment rollout, SeaWorld highlighted its conservation and animal rescue efforts. The company says it has helped more than 42,000 animals to date and that the SeaWorld Conservation Fund has provided more than $20 million to nearly 1,400 organizations since 2003.
Planning tips: what to watch before you book
If you’re planning a family trip around these summer events, the key details to confirm are:
- Event start dates (May 22 vs. June 12 depending on the park)
- Nighttime showtimes for drone shows and animal presentations
- Concert dates (San Diego’s Saturday series)
- Park hours and whether any offerings require reservations or have limited seating
Source: SeaWorld (press release distributed via PRNewswire, May 7, 2026).
Related: Sea World Orlando
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Hillbilly Bible Film Relaunch Honors John Amos, Adds Voyage Air Guitar Giveaway
Hillbilly Bible, a Memphis-rooted faith-based dramedy dedicated to John Amos, is set to begin production in Fall 2026 and is launching a $30 fan campaign with a Voyage Air Guitar giveaway.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Hillbilly Bible, a Memphis-rooted, music-driven faith-based dramedy, is being relaunched by Hillbilly Bible Movie LLC in association with MVP3 Foundation and MVP3 Network, with director KC Amos stepping in to honor the legacy of his father, actor John Amos.
The film is supported by Voyage Air Guitar as the leading product placement title sponsor and is scheduled to begin production in Fall 2026, with filming planned in Memphis and Nashville, Tennessee, and Clarksdale, Mississippi.
What the film is about
Written by Marie Pizano with co-writer Mark Selker and inspired by the book title Hillbilly Bible by Stevie Rey, the PG-13 story follows Billy Madden, a former foster kid whose early trauma shadows his adult life.
After a public fall tied to pride and addiction, Billy heads south searching for a legendary bluesman known as the “Cool Cat Jesus,” believing the musician can help restore his broken career.
Instead, he meets unexpected messengers who challenge him to face humility, inner-child wounds, and the cost of chasing applause over purpose.
The film tracks Billy’s road to repentance, healing, and restored identity, blending music, drama, and humor while carrying a dedication to John Amos.
The creative team
Pizano leads the project alongside director KC Amos and co-director Al Coronel, who makes his directorial debut. The producing team also includes Kent Wells, a longtime producer associated with Dolly Parton.
“This story carries the spirit of all of us,” Pizano said in the announcement. “We all stumble and fall, but we can get back up and find our ‘yes.’”
Fan campaign + giveaway
To bring supporters into the rollout, the film is launching a $30 fan supporter campaign and a Voyage Air Guitar giveaway. Organizers say the campaign is designed to give back to foster youth, ministries, and mental health advocacy.
Each supporter package includes an exclusive Hillbilly Bible T-shirt, entry into the Voyage Air Guitar giveaway, and access to a private screening before any wider public release.
More details and official rules are available at https://hillbillybiblemovie.com/. Fans can also follow the official Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/share/1ApXMKqqA1/?mibextid=wwXIfr.
What to Watch For
- Fall 2026 production start and location updates (Memphis, Nashville, Clarksdale)
- News from press-only conferences set for March 25, 2026 (Memphis and Clarksdale), plus a later Nashville event
- Casting, music partnerships, and additional sponsor announcements as the project ramps up
Sources: hillbillybiblemovie.com
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pop culture
May the Fourth: Celebrating National Star Wars Day | Fun Facts & Festivities
National Star Wars Day, also known as May the Fourth, is a celebration of the Star Wars franchise that takes place annually on May 4th.
Last Updated on May 4, 2026 by Daily News Staff
National Star Wars Day, also known as May the Fourth, is a celebration of the Star Wars franchise that takes place annually on May 4th. The day is filled with festivities such as costume contests, trivia games, and movie marathons. Fans of the series can dress up like their favorite characters, watch their favorite movies, and make outer space snacks.
The phrase “May the Fourth Be with You” was first introduced by the Conservative Party in the UK in 1979 to congratulate Margaret Thatcher on becoming the first female Prime Minister. Since then, the phrase has become synonymous with Star Wars Day and is used by fans around the world to greet each other on this special day.
National Star Wars Day was first organized in Toronto, Canada, in 2011, and has since become a worldwide phenomenon. Fans of all ages come together to celebrate their love for the franchise and to honor its creator, George Lucas.
Whether you’re a hardcore fan or just a casual admirer, National Star Wars Day is a day to let loose and have some fun. May the Fourth be with you!
National Star Wars Day
https://nationaldaycalendar.com/?s=Star+Wars+Day
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