MHIFF Overview v.9

1. INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

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