Finding Peace in this troubled world through animation and documentary.
The Curious Scroll: How Does Something Ugly Become Beautiful
Andrew Purchin
Being curious could just be the needed element to bring people together and overcome differences.
The Peace of Wild Things
Katy Wang
When despair for the world grows in me…
...I come into the peace of wild things.
~Wendell Barry
MY HERO's Film Festival Peace Prize Winners
War
By: Mahyar Zaheri
The story of a boy named Farid Bardbar…
Alan Magee: art is not a solace [excerpts]
By: P. David Berez, David Wright
This film comprises three short excerpts from a documentary about the artist Alan Magee.
Eight Points to Peace
Produced by:Twin Cities Nonviolent
The film discusses the solutions to the violence that plagues the Twin Cities
Eight Points to Peace is Nominated for a Special Award at MY HERO's 18th International Film Festival
By: Deborah Neff, MY HERO Staff writer
Fractured Democracy
Produced by:Palisades Charter High School
In this short documentary, I deeply analyzed Roe V. Wade's overall impact it has on the political state of the country.
MY HERO Global Ambassador and Peace Activist Mohamed Sidibay
International Day of Peace '14 (30min edit)
Produced by:The MY HERO Project
International Day of Peace '14. Mohamed Sidibay: My Journey From Child soldier to Peace Activist
Mohamed Sidibay: Teaching Peace
Produced by:The MY HERO Project
Mohamed Sidibay is a survivor of a horrific civil war in Sierra Leone, where he was forced to fight as a child soldier. Now he advocates for better access to education worldwide.
This selection of short films appropriate for Middle and High School students includes people who are dedicated to bringing peace into this troubled world. Some have overcome great adversity and have learned the power of forgiveness, tolerance, and compassion on the path to deeper peace.
Kim Phuc - excerpt from The Sunrise Storyteller
Kasha Slavner
Young filmmaker Kasha Slavner interviews Unesco Goodwill Ambassador Phan Thi Kim Phuc, who survived a napalm bomb when she was a 9-year-old during the Vietnam War.
Power of Compassion & Importance of the Work of CCARE
CCARE at Stanford University
Dr. James Doty speaks on the power of compassion and importance of the work of CCARE.
Upstanders: The Mosque Across the Street
Producer: Howard Schultz and Rajiv Chandrasekaran
What happens when a mosque moves across the street from a church in the Bible Belt?
Azim Khamisa: The Tool of Forgiveness
Producer: The Institute for Advancing Unity/The Working Group
A grieving father overcomes tragedy by creating something beautiful in his son's name - Tariq Khamisa.
International Day of Peace Celebration Honoring Ron Kovic
By: Daniel Chavez
The MY HERO Project honors activist, author & artist, Ron Kovic, for his tireless dedication working for peace.
Women Transforming Media - Appropriate for High School to College Level Students
Women Transforming Media: Abigail Disney
Produced by:Jeanne Meyers, Xenia Shin
We talk to documentary filmmaker and philanthropist Abigail Disney about why she became a documentary filmmaker, her award-winning film "Pray the Devil Back to Hell," and her organization Peace is Loud.
Stories
Samar Minallah Khan, Documentary Filmmaker and Human Rights Activist
By: Abigail Richardson
Mattie Stepanek: For Our World
Mattie's poems of peace and hope have touched millions of lives.
An Israeli-Palestinian Sisterhood
By: Ruth Ebenstein
American-Israeli Orthodox Jew Ruth Ebenstein and Palestinian Muslim Ibtisam became best friends after meeting at a support group for women with breast cancer.
Ron Kovic: A Hero to the Voice of Peace
By: Sophia DelaRosa
Ron Kovic is a Vietnam War veteran and anti-war activist who fights for peace. He is the subject of the book and film Born on the Fourth of July.
From Child Soldier to Human Rights Activist - Mohamed Sidibay
By: Pace Porter-Zasada
Mohamed Sidibay's Journey
Le Ly Hayslip
By: Claudia Hudson
Le Ly Hayslip is a humanitarian, memoirist, and peacemaker who founded East Meets West, a nonprofit humanitarian relief organization that strives to rebuild post-war lives both emotionally and physically.
Newswire Stories
Walk. Listen. Care. Grassroots women’s groups help keep peace in Kenya
Credit: Christian Science Monitor
Violence plunged after he brought the arts to a Tijuana neighborhood
By: Whitney Neulich - correspondent
Raúl Cárdenas Osuna has dedicated his life to creating social change through community-driven art initiatives. His outlook helped transform Camino Verde into a neighborhood of hope and promise.
COULD CONSERVATION PROVIDE GROUND FOR PEACE IN CONFLICT ZONES?
By: EVA BOTKIN-KOWACKI CSM Staff writer
Accounts of scientists who state that conservation dialogues could bring areas of conflict to resolution.
AFTER EPIPHANY IN US, WOMAN FORGES PEACE AMONG INDIAN AND PAKISTANI YOUTHS
Aliya Harir was brought up in Pakistan to think of India as the enemy. So when she met Indians while studying in the US, she was surprised to gain a new perspective. She now works on peacebuilding initiatives.
HOW ONE MAN FOUND HIS CALLING AS A PEACEMAKER, ESPECIALLY IN PRISONS
By: DOUGLAS NOLL Encore.org
Douglas Noll was a trial lawyer for 22 years, but since leaving the courtroom, he has taught mediation techniques to inmates through the organization he cofounded, Prison of Peace.
Peace Is a Powerful Subject for Artists and Students Everywhere
Peace is often a common, yet powerful, theme for artists of all ages and done in any medium. It is a theme that resonates with people young or old, from all walks of life, and from anywhere in the world.
Protect Kids Not Guns by Micah Bazant/ Amplifier
By: Micah Bazant
Protest Art created for March for Our Lives sponsored by The Amplifier Foundation
Peace Pals International
Celebrating 2017 art honoree, director Jules Lamore and the 20th Anniversary of Peace Pals International, which inspires global youth to make art for peace.
Martin Luther King Jr.'s speech
By: Joplin Lefrandt
Combining words with his portrait of Martin Luther King Jr, Joplin Lefrandt has created a powerful tribute to this African-American civil rights hero.
PEACE IN HEART IS PEACE ON EARTH- Painted by 6th grade students from Morocco with the Art Miles Mural Project
By: Grade 6 Class at Aghbalou Elementary School
To mark their place in The Hero Mile of The Art Miles Mural Project, the 6th Grade kids at Aghbalou Elementary School in Morocco make this painting a peace offering to the world.
Audio
The following stories have audio links that allow students to listen to the story as they read.
Shirin Ebadi
By: Sabine from Beirut, Lebanon
Shirin Ebadi is an Iranian human rights activist and founder of Defenders of Human Rights Center in Iran. She received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2003.
Peace Pilgrim (Mildred Normal Ryder)
By: Shiloh from Alaska
Peace Pilgrim (Mildred Norman Ryder) was an activist, spiritual teacher and the first woman to walk the entire length of the Appalachian Trail in one season (over 25,000 miles) for peace.
Jeni Stepanek
By: Claudia Herrera Hudson
Jeni Stepanek is an ambassador for Muscular Dystrophy who continues to spread her son Mattie's message of peace.
Sadako Sasaki
By: Amanda E.
Sadako Sasaki inspired an international peace movement.
Enter the Ron Kovic Peace Prize in the MY HERO International Film Festival
https://myhero.com/ron-kovic-peace-prize
2021 CFE Kovic 10-1
Credit: MY HERO
The Ron Kovic Peace Prize is a $1,000 prize awarded to the short film that most effectively addresses the issue of world peace.
Some recent Ron Kovic Winning Peace Films from MY HERO's International Film Festival
OutSwing [Trailer]
Samar Minallah Khan
On the outskirts of Islamabad, a committed coach teaches a team of unlikely players, their families, and a community how playing Cricket can change lives.
Bullets to Books (Excerpt)
Produced by:Andy Truschinski, Gail Prensky, Sean MacLaughlin
A film exploring The Jüdische Kulturbund Project and the critical importance of peace in South Sudan.
Reclaiming Pakistan
Produced by:Lisa Donato
A civil rights activist, Mohammad Jibran Nasir, sparks a social revolution after almost 140 children were killed in the Peshawar Army School tragedy.
Related Links
Resources for celebrating the UN International Day of Peace in the Classroom!
Day of Peace
Credit: MY HERO
An International program designed to encourage youths to become peacemakers dedicated to living in the spirit of the words, “May Peace Prevail On Earth.”
Peace Pals International
Credit: Peace Pals
The Carter Center seeks to prevent and resolve conflicts, enhance freedom and democracy, and improve health.
Carter Center Link
Credit: Carter Center
Further information about the International Day of Peace.
