Iff overview 9
- 2. 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
- 3. FESTIVAL WINNERS Frank Marshall Ryan Coogler Abigail Disney Tiffany Shlain Playing for Change Foundation CNN Heroes MacGillivray Freeman Films GLOBAL EDUCATOR AWARD RECIPIENTS George Lucas, Founder of Edutopia Elizabeth Daley, Dean of USC School of Cinematic Arts Rowena Gerber, Director of The Abess Center for Environmental Studies Cheikh Seck, Media Arts Educator, Senegal Peter 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 Lucas Paul Cummins FESTIVAL WINNERS AND AWARD RECIPENTS Rowena Gerber
- 4. FEATURED HEROES Wangari Maathai Nelson Mandela Malala Yousafzai Mohamed Sidibay Slater Jewell-Kemker Wangari Mathaai, Nobel Peace Prize winner, Kenya Nelson Mandela, peace activist, South Africa Malala Yousafzai, human rights activist, Pakistan Mohamed Sidibay, peace activist, Sierra Leone Jon Rose, humanitarian, Waves for Water USA Jean-Michel Cousteau, environmentalist, USA Slater Jewell-Kemker, environmental activist, Canada Jon Rose Jean-Michel Cousteau
- 5. WINNING FILMS Sylvia Earle Ocean Conservation Award A 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 Here Produced by Raj Yagnik and Shona Hamilton, featuring Plan International. Blessed is the Peacemaker Produced by Wide Angle Youth Media’s Mentoring Video Project Directed by Taqi Juba The Conditioned Produced by Facebook Stories Directed by Michael Marantz Class of Rowdies Directed by Nitin Das Isla Coronado Ghost Net Directed by Walter Marti Feuturing Kurt Leiber from Ocean Defenders Alliance Present Trauma Directed by Mark Manalo, USC School of Cinematic Arts www.myhero.com/winners Relationships First A psychological drama about Keith, a Marine veteran struggling to cope with family life after a combat tour overseas. Best of Fest One in three girls around the world is denied an education by the daily realities of poverty, conflict or discrimination. Ron Kovic Peace Prize Safe Streets Baltimore is an organization promoting nonviolent solutions. Media Award Raimundo 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 Award What 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.
- 6. 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
- 7. 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
- 8. 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.
- 9. Kovic Peace Prize presented by author and artist Ron Kovic Sylvia Earle Ocean Conservation Award presented by OneWorldOneOcean.org Dan Eldon Activist Award presented by his mother, author and activist Kathy Eldon Relationships 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
- 10. MY HERO utilizes premiere multi-media screening facilities for our international film festival events. Ray Stark Family Theater George Lucas Building University of Southern California, School of Cinematic Arts VENUES Ann and Jerry Moss Theater The Capshaw-Spielberg Center for Arts and Educational Justice Herb Alpert Educational Village, Santa Monica, California
- 11. All winning films are available on our website to our growing global audience. ONLINE SCREENING ROOM
- 12. 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
- 13. 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 School Mohamed @ 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
- 14. MENTORS AND TEACHER TRAINING MY 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
- 15. “…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-Kemker Award winning filmmaker Canada/USA “You have helped to reshape the 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 , Educator Dakar, Senegal GLOBAL IMPACT Mattie and Jeni Stephanek Emily Murray and Wendy Milette Slater Jewell-Kemker and Cheikh Seck
- 16. FESTIVAL SPONSORS Prize Sponsors Featured Donors Sandra and Ken MALAMED Ron Kovic Kathy Eldon Judy and Doug Anderson Amy Eldon & Jon Turtletaub Cynthia Costas & Larry Cohen Helene Cavanaugh James Pelts Joyce & Bill Sharman Marilyn Athey Ken Koslow Dorothy Meyers And many more...
- 17. 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 media@myheroproject.org INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL