ATLANTA, GA–(Marketwired – April 14, 2016) – Illy, a global leader in direct trade with coffee growers, and an industry innovator in sustainability and technology spanning eight decades, will mark key milestones in its storied history, and set the stage for what’s next in coffee culture, at the annual Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA) Expo, April 14-17 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta.

One such milestone, in direct trade leadership, was reached in Sao Paolo last week with the 25th awarding of the Ernesto Illy Quality Award for Espresso Coffee, given to Tyko Armelin, from the city of Ibià (Minas Gerais). The award program, established in 1991, has from inception made social, economic and environmental sustainability its pillars, while playing a major role in transforming Brazil’s reputation from high-volume supplier to high-quality producer. Since its founding, more than 10,000 producers have participated in the Ernesto Illy Award program, with more than 4.5 million in Brazilian reais awarded, helping stimulate development of entire coffee growing regions within Brazil, such as the areas around Pirajù, the inland areas of Cerrado and the mountainous regions of the state of Minas Gerais.

The award program’s significance, and illy’s commitment to coffee growing communities around the world, will be underscored at SCAA with a screening of “A Small Section of the World,” a documentary produced by illycaffè and directed by Academy Award winner Lesley Chilcott. Attendees of the screening, on Sunday, April 17 at the Georgia World Congress Center, will learn the story of a group of brave women from Costa Rica who battled the economic crisis in their small community by growing coffee. Their uplifting story embodies strength and female emancipation, as the women of the ASOMOBI coffee cooperative develop a sustainable business that stands to support their families and community for many years.

As previously reported by The Costa Rica Star, “A Small Section of the World” is a look into the inspirational lives of a remarkable women’s coffee co-op in Costa Rica — the first female-run micro-mill in the country. A story of tenacity and empowerment, the film follows the women as they encounter a steep learning curve and numerous setbacks. They ultimately make an incredible global impact from their small section of the world.

Alanis Morissette, the best-selling female rock performer of all time, also found inspiration in this story and recording the original anthem for the film “The Morning.” Inspired by the women’s story, Morissette, a multiple Grammy winner, co-wrote the song with Costa Rican artist and Grammy-winner Carlos Tapado Vargas.