ONLINE SCREENING ROOM

All winning films are available on our website

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SHARE FILMS

Our online screening room hosts over 3,000 short films made by professionals and students

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INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

The Annual International Film Festival brings together professional and student filmmakers to honor those working for social activism

The MY HERO International Film Festival

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INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

Ray Stark Family Theater George Lucas Building

University of Southern California, School of Cinematic Arts

Ann and Jerry Moss TheaterThe Capshaw-Spielberg Center for Arts and Educational Justice Herb Alpert Educational Village, Santa Monica,

California

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FESTIVAL WINNERSFrank Marshall Ryan Coogler Abigail Disney Tiffany ShlainPlaying for Change Foundation CNN Heroes

MacGillivray Freeman Films

Frank Marshall

Abigail Disney Ryan Coogler

Paul Cummins

GLOBAL EDUCATOR AWARD RECIPIENTS

George Lucas Elizabeth Daley Erin Gruwell Cheikh Seck Peter Copen

George Lucas, Founder of EdutopiaElizabeth Daley, Dean of USC School of Cinematic Arts Erin Gruwell, Director of The Freedom Writers Foundation Cheikh 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

FESTIVAL WINNERS & AWARD RECIPIENTS

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WINNING FILMS

Because I’m a Girl: I’ll Take it From Here Produced by Raj Yagnik and Shona

Hamilton, featuring Plan International.

Racing Extinction Produced by Vulcan Productions

Directed by Louie Psihoyos

Isla Coronado Ghost NetDirected by Walter Marti

Featuring Kurt Leiber from Ocean Defenders Alliance

The Future of Our Species Directed by Tiffany Shlain

The Moxie Institute

Best of Fest

Ron Kovic Peace Prize Media Award

Relationships First Award Sylvia Earle Ocean Award People’s Choice Award

Defying Death in South SudanFrancis Meade

Young StorytellersDirected by Jill Jones, Brent

Yontz Nanuq Originals

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HEROES FEATURED

Wangari Maathai

Nelson Mandela Malala Yousafzai

Mohamed Sidibay SSlalateterrJJeewweelll-lK-Keemmkkeerr

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 8

PRIZE WINNERS

Rabiya Sudebar Muslim Student Association

Filmmaker Kayla Briet

Filmmakers Gabrielle and Amanda Gorman

Filmmakers Santa Barbara Team Press

Filmmakers Mark Manilo Malia Pyles

Nate Trives, Mr. Santa Monica

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PRIZE WINNERS

Filmmaker Nonny De La Peña

Filmmakers Trey Carlisle and Cheikh Seck

Will Parinello of Mill Valley Film Group Emerging Artist and filmmaker, Kenza Kadmiry

Royal Film Commission Liason Claire Naber MatalqaFilmmaker Tiffany Shlain

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UNSUNG HEROES

Environmental activist Jaime Lynn Butler Azim Khamisa founded the Tariq Khamisa Foundation, in his son’s memory

Unsung heroes and filmmakers from the 11th Annual Film Festival11

SPECIAL AWARDS

Filmmaker Ryan Suffern and Kathy Eldon

Kathy Eldon presenting the Eldon Activist Award Ron Kovic presents the Kovic Peace Prize 12

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

MEDIA ARTS EDUCATION

Media Arts Educators are mentors to students and teachers around the world, providing technical training and resources in global workshops

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GLOBAL IMPACT

“You have helped to reshape the word ‘hero’ for many

people. What a gift.”

Jeni Stepanek, Ph.D.USA

“The MY HERO mentors trained the students how to use

cameras, conduct interviews and edit video montages on

the computer.”

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.”

Cheikh Seck, Educator Dakar,

Senegal 14

FESTIVAL SPONSORS

Donors Include:

Judy and Doug AndersonAmy Eldon and Jon TurtletaubRon Kovic

Cynthia Costas & Larry CohenHelene CavanaughJames PeltsKathy Eldon

Ken KoslowDorothy MeyersEva & Yoel Haller

Prize Sponsors: