Dear Friends,

This November, we celebrate the 18th Annual MY HERO International Film Festival and submissions are still being accepted, until October 1, for the festival's Special Awards. These awards honor filmmakers who work with themes of activism, peace, family relationships, women in media, ocean conservation and more. Our goal is to support those using media to create positive change in the world.​ 

Best wishes,

The MY HERO Team

Sponsored by Kathy Eldon and Amy Eldon Turtletaub,

founders of Creative Visions Foundation

Dan Eldon was an activist, photojournalist and artist. Fearless in quest to help others, he dared to tell the stories that were not being told. Sadly, in 1993, at the age of 22, Dan was stoned to death by an angry mob while working on assignment in Somalia.

Dan's journals, filled with photos and art, were first published in a beautiful book, edited by his mother Kathy Eldon, called The Journey is the Destination. She also produced a feature film about Dan's journey. Kathy and Amy continue Dan's legacy with their inspiring work at Creative Visions Foundation. 

Kathy and Amy annually present the Dan Eldon Activist Award at The MY HERO International Film Festival. This award honors creative activists using media to create positive change in the world.

Presented by Holocaust survivor, activist and philanthropist Eva Haller

Eva Haller is an outstanding communicator and mentor to youth and women leaders of non-profit organizations that are changing the world. Those who’ve benefited from Haller’s guidance include Kathy Eldon, of Creative Visions Foundation, Jessica Mayberry, of Video Volunteers, and world-renowned primatologist Jane Goodall. 

Women Transforming Media (WTM) began as a joint effort between MY HERO and the American Association of University Women to shine a light on women who are using media to change the world. Haller received the inaugural WTM Award in 2016, an event that inspired her to sponsor the annual award each year. The Eva Haller Women Transforming Media Award honors women who use media to promote gender equality.

Presented by Judith Anderson, Ph.D, clinical psychologist

and Professor of Psychiatry at the UCI College of Medicine 

Judy Anderson has been involved with MY HERO for more than 20 years and serves on our board of directors. Her nonprofit, Foundation for the Contemporary Family, works to better the lives of today’s couples and families by supporting innovative research, clinical education, intervention programs and innovative projects. Judy presents the Relationships First Award at our festival to honor a student and/or professional filmmaker whose work reflects the issues surrounding today’s families.

Presented by Esther Wojcicki, outstanding author and educator

Esther Wojcicki (WOJ) is known as the mother of Silicon Valley and was honored with the 2016 MY HERO Global Educator Award. Esther ran an award-winning journalism program at Palo Alto H.S. for 30 years before founding the nonprofit Tract - Project-based Learning, designed to spark creativity in the classroom.

The WOJ Youth Reporter Award is presented by Esther Wojcicki at the MY HERO International Film Festival. Youth reporters are invited to submit short films (under 10 minutes) on those making a positive difference in their community and the world. 

Presented by activist, artist and author Ron Kovic

For more than 50 years, Ron Kovic has been an outspoken advocate for peace. Combat in Vietnam left him paralyzed from mid-chest down and, for Ron, that's when the real fight began. He shared his story in a best-selling autobiography Born on the Fourth of July, which director Oliver Stone made into an Academy Award-winning motion picture starring Tom Cruise. 

Ron is a prolific writer and artist. He is also an avid supporter of MY HERO. We are grateful to him for donating and sharing his works of art online in order to support the project. Since 2008, Ron has chosen the winner of the annual Ron Kovic Peace Prize, which is presented to the filmmaker whose work celebrates those working locally and globally for peace.  

Presented by Jeni Stepanek, Ph.D, speaker, writer and

founder of the Mattie J.T. Stepanek Foundation 

Mattie J.T. Stepanek was a young best-selling poet and peace activist, who encouraged everyone to ‘listen to their heart song and to play after every storm." He died at age 14 of dysautonomic mitochondrial myopathy, a condition similar to muscular dystrophy, but not before making his mark. 

Mattie's mother Jeni Stepanek, Ph.D, founder of the Mattie J.T. Stepanek Foundation offers this inaugural award to honor the young poet, who touched the hearts of millions during his brief and spectacular time on earth. MY HERO is accepting submissions of short poetic videos made by students and professionals.

MY HERO's Immersive Storytelling Award goes to a storyteller who creates innovative Virtual Reality content that promotes creativity, engagement, activism & social good. Previous winners include Project Syria by Nonny de la Peńa, Bella Gaia by Kenji Williams and The Walk Again Project led by Dr. Miguel Nicolelis.

The Unsung Heroes Song Contest is a partnership with Guitars in the Classroom. 

Celebrate local & global heroes with original songs & music videos or submit your spoken-word poem. Prizes will be awarded to teachers, students and professional songwriters.

The 2022 People’s Choice Award Ballot will be available from Oct. 7-Nov. 7 for classroom and home use to explore the theme of heroism and the art of filmmaking.

Join us November 19, 2022, for the Special Awards Ceremony of The MY HERO International Film Festival. Winning films will be announced and celebrated and clips of selected shorts will be screened. The festivities begin at 2 pm (PST). 

To attend this special event, please email your request to myhero@myheroproject.org.

Join us for The MY HERO International Film Festival's Family-Friendly Awards Celebration on December 10, 2022, at 10 am (PST).  If you are interested in joining us for this special event, please email your request to myhero@myheroproject.org.

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For more information, please contact myhero@myheroproject.org