INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
The MY HERO International Film Festival brings together professional and budding filmmakers and their heroes. Films honor those working for human rights, the environment, peace, and social activism.
INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
www.myhero.com/films
FESTIVAL WINNERSFrank MarshallRyan CooglerAbigail DisneyTiffany ShlainPlaying for Change FoundationCNN HeroesMacGillivray Freeman Films
GLOBAL EDUCATOR AWARD RECIPIENTS
George Lucas, Founder of EdutopiaElizabeth Daley, Dean of USC School of Cinematic ArtsRowena Gerber, Director of The Abess Center for Environmental StudiesCheikh Seck, Media Arts Educator, SenegalPeter Copen, Founder of iEARN.org (International Education Association and Resource Network)Paul Cummins, Founder of New Roads School & The Coalition for Engaged Education
Frank Marshall Abigail Disney Ryan Coogler
Peter CopenCheikh SeckElizabeth DaleyGeorge LucasPaul Cummins
FESTIVAL WINNERS AND AWARD RECIPENTS
Rowena Gerber
FEATURED HEROES
Wangari Maathai Nelson Mandela Malala Yousafzai
Mohamed Sidibay Slater Jewell-Kemker
Wangari Mathaai, Nobel Peace Prize winner, KenyaNelson Mandela, peace activist, South AfricaMalala Yousafzai, human rights activist, PakistanMohamed Sidibay, peace activist, Sierra Leone
Jon Rose, humanitarian, Waves for Water USAJean-Michel Cousteau, environmentalist, USASlater Jewell-Kemker, environmental activist, Canada
Jon Rose Jean-Michel Cousteau
WINNING FILMS
Sylvia Earle Ocean Conservation AwardA group of divers work to remove a “ghost net” from the sea to prevent it from damaging more sea life.
Because I’m a Girl: I’ll Take it From HereProduced by Raj Yagnik and Shona Hamilton,
featuring Plan International.
Blessed is the PeacemakerProduced by Wide Angle Youth Media’s Mentoring Video Project
Directed by Taqi Juba
The ConditionedProduced by Facebook StoriesDirected by Michael Marantz
Class of RowdiesDirected by Nitin Das
Isla Coronado Ghost NetDirected by Walter Marti
Feuturing Kurt Leiber from Ocean Defenders Alliance
Present TraumaDirected by Mark Manalo,
USC School of Cinematic Arts
www.myhero.com/winners
Relationships FirstA psychological drama about Keith, a Marine veteran struggling to cope with family life after a combat tour overseas.
Best of FestOne in three girls around the world is denied an education by the daily realities of poverty, conflict or discrimination.
Ron Kovic Peace PrizeSafe Streets Baltimore is an organization promoting nonviolent solutions.
Media AwardRaimundo Arruda Sobrinho was homeless in São Paulo, Brazil, for nearly 35 years. Impressed by his poetry, Shalla Monteiro, created a Facebook Page to feature Raimundo’s writing.
People’s Choice AwardWhat happens when a young teacher meets a class of rowdies? This film is dedicated to all teachers who create empowering spaces that make learning come alive.
Rabiya Sudebar Muslim Student Association
Filmmaker Kayla Briet with familyFilmmakers Gabrielle and Amanda Gorman
Filmmakers Santa Barbara Team Press
PRIZE WINNERS
Prizes are awarded to filmmakers in elementary, middle, and high school, college students, as well as professionals in the following categories: documentaries, narratives, music videos, animation, experimental, excerpts, trailers, and features in development.
Students
Filmmakers Mark Manilo Malia Pyles
Filmmaker Kun Yang
Producer John Grimshaw, Dr. Angelo Capozzi, Director Wayne Schoenfeld
Filmmaker Mike Patterson, USC Faculty
Professionals
Filmmakers Adele Rene and Jon Poll
PRIZE WINNERS
Emerging Artist and filmmaker, Kenza Kadmiry
Royal Film Commission Liason Claire Naber MatalqaFilmmaker Valentina Canavesio
UNSUNG HEROES
Environmental activist Jaime Lynn Butler is one of several young people who went to court to compel their government to protect the environment.
Azim Khamisa founded the Tariq Khamisa Foundation, in his son’s memory, to engage young people to resist the culture of violence and embrace peace.
Community activist Brian Cox (second from right) transformed a broken neighborhood through his work as Senior Director for the South Park Recreation Center.
Kovic Peace Prize presented by author and artist Ron KovicSylvia Earle Ocean Conservation Award presented by OneWorldOneOcean.orgDan Eldon Activist Award presented by his mother, author and activist Kathy EldonRelationships First Award presented by the Foundation for Contemporary Family Filmmaker Ryan Suffern and Kathy Eldon
SPECIAL AWARDS
Kathy Eldon presenting the Eldon Activist Award Ron Kovic presenting the Kovic Peace Prize
MY HERO utilizes premiere multi-media screening facilities for our international film festival events.
Ray Stark Family TheaterGeorge Lucas Building
University of Southern California, School of Cinematic Arts
VENUES
Ann and Jerry Moss TheaterThe Capshaw-Spielberg Center for Arts and Educational Justice
Herb Alpert Educational Village, Santa Monica, California
All winning films are available on our website to our growing global audience.
ONLINE SCREENING ROOM
MY HERO Media Arts Educators provide training and mentorship to students and teachers with an emphasis on sharing stories about those making a positive difference in the world.
MYHERO @ iEarn Dakar, Senegal
Eco-Heroism program @ the Laguna Beach Boys and Girls Club
MY HERO Global Exchange - Jordan MY HERO workshop @ Lennox School in Los Angeles, CA.
MEDIA ARTS EDUCATION
MY HERO Global Exchange - Macedonia
MY HERO Global Exchange - Bosnia and Herzegovina
MY HERO Global Exchange - Macedonia
Slater Jewell-Kemker mentors a student in Nepal
Slater Jewell-Kemker was a home schooler, working with MY HERO for over a decade as a student reporter sharing stories, art, music and
winning short films. Today she is directing a feature documentary on climate change.
Mohamed Sidibay, a former child soldier, is celebrated on MY HERO for his courage and peacemaking. In 2014 he hosted MY HERO’s
International Day of Peace Celebration and recently graduatedfrom George Washington University.
Slater @ iEARN Egypt
Slater w/ her hero Jean Michel Cousteau
Slater during the making of An Inconvenient Youth
Slater interviews Jackie Speier for MY HERO Report
Mohamed in Sierra Leone
Mohamed @ W.H. Day Elementary SchoolMohamed @ Lennox Middle School
Mohamed w/ Erin Gruwell @ Freedom Writers Teacher Symposium
Mohamed as a MY HERO Reporter
MEDIA ARTS EDUCATION
A SPOTLIGHT ON YOUNG STORYTELLERS
MENTORS AND TEACHER TRAININGMY HERO staff trains teachers and students around the world to make films and develop programs with customized tools.
MY HERO Global Exchange - JordanWendy Milette @ Weemes Elementary MY HERO Media Arts @ Top of the World Elementary
Emily Baker is an enthusiastic MY HERO storyteller. Her films have won several awards at our festival.
MEDIA ARTS EDUCATION
MY HERO workshop @ Laguna Boys and Girls Club MY HERO Global Exchange - Jordan
“…the project gives people my age and younger hope, inspiration, and motivation to believe in themselves, and their ability to change the world.”
Slater Jewell-KemkerAward winning filmmakerCanada/USA
“You have helped to reshapethe word ‘hero’ for many people. What a gift.”
Jeni Stepanek, Ph.D.
“As a teacher, I greatly benefited from the resources and exchange of ideas the website offers; it has also enabled me to know more about my students...”
Ikram Eseghir, Mohamed 5 High School,Kenitra, Morocco
“The MY HERO mentors trained the students how to use cameras, conduct interviews and edit video montages on the computer...our staff also received training from MY HERO, as well as equipment, so that we can continue creating and celebrating heroes on myhero.com.”
Emily Murray, Director of Arts Programs, Laguna Beach Boys and Girls Club, USA
“ The MY HERO Project has created a unique opportunity for me to undergo professional and personal development. Many of my compatriots have been touched by MY HERO and see the world and its inhabitants from a new angle as a result of taking part in this global story telling project. “
Cheikh Seck , EducatorDakar, Senegal
GLOBAL IMPACT
Mattie and Jeni StephanekEmily Murray and Wendy Milette
Slater Jewell-Kemker and Cheikh Seck
FESTIVAL SPONSORS
Prize Sponsors
Donors
Sandra and KenMALAMED
Judy and Doug AndersonAmy Eldon & Jon TurtletaubJoyce & Bill Sharman
Cynthia Costas & Larry CohenHelene CavanaughJames Pelts
Marilyn AtheyKen KoslowDorothy Meyers
And Many More...
The MY HERO Project is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, tax-exempt organization designated by the Internal Revenue Code.Support for this award-winning project comes from foundations, individuals, and corporations. Donations are tax deductible.
myhero.com/donate
For sponsorship opportunities, please contact
INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL