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 around the world with an emphasis on sharing stories about those making a positive difference in the world.

Our curricula and tutorials are freely available online, providing users of all ages with instructions on using new technologies and developing important media literacy skills. Resources are adaptable for multiple subjects and grade levels.

The MY HERO Project provides media resources and technical training to teachers of underserved youth, including DVDs, books and USB drives with lesson plans to those who lack internet access.

MY HERO Media Arts Educators have led workshops in Morocco, Jordan, Egypt, Senegal, Netherlands, Qatar, Slovakia, Russia, China, Japan, Canada, Mexico, Colombia, Nepal and across the United States.

Slater Jewell-Kemker mentors a student in Nepal

Cheikh Darou Seck works with Wendy Milette at theiEarn conference in Dakar, Senegal

A student takes part in the Eco-Heroism program at the Laguna Beach Boys and Girls Club

A student takes part in the Global Exchange inJordan

MY HERO takes part in media arts program at Lennox School in Los Angeles, CA.

MEDIA ARTS EDUCATION

YOUTH EMPOWERMENT THROUGH DIGITAL STORYTELLINGWe have witnessed the impact of this project on students who have gone from publishing essays about their heroes as young children to becoming award winning filmmakers as teenagers and young adults honored at our International Film Festival.

MENTORS AND TEACHER TRAININGMY HERO staff trains teachers and students around the world to make films and develop programs with customized tools. In the process, MY HERO promotes character education and empowers students by giving them tools for self-expression. To bridge the digital divide, we seek support to provide cameras and computers to underserved youth.

MY HERO Project Global Exchange in JordanWendy Milette at Weemes Elementary School

Top of the World Elementary School

Slater Jewell-KemkerEmily Baker

MEDIA ARTS EDUCATION

“…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 global learning project comes from foundations, individuals, and corporations. Donations are tax deductible.

myhero.com/donate

For sponsorship opportunities for our International Film Festival, please contact

media@myheroproject.org