Art Center student Ellen Houlihan is up for the 2012 Talenthouse filmmaker of the year award for her public service announcement starring gay comedian Todd Glass in a homophobic role.

>In the 30-second spot, Glass plays a father whose gay son has recently committed suicide. The ad questions if there’s a difference between suicide and negligence by parents who push “archaic beliefs and misinformation” on their LGBT children.

Houlihan, a Broadcast Cinema major, was inspired to create the ad after hearing Glass come out on a recent podcast of “WTF with Marc Maron,” a revelation which surprised Houlihan and others given Glass’ brash brand of comedy.

“[I] decided that it would be powerful to combine Todd’s in-your-face confessional style of performing…with a subject usually told in a safe, delicate manner,” says Houlihan. “I emailed Todd, and to my surprise, he responded favorably and we immediately started brainstorming ideas.”

The spot — which was produced as an entry in a contest for GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network) — earned Houlihan the Cannes Young Director Award in France and a prize at the Porsche International Student Advertising Awards.

You can vote for the PSA in the Talenthouse competition through Friday. The winning filmmaker, to be announced Jan. 28, will receive $1,000 and become a featured artist on the company’s website.