MY HERO Announces 2023 Kovic Peace Prize Finalists

CONTACT:                                                                                                FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wendy Milette
Director MY HERO International Film Festival
[email protected]

MY HERO ANNOUNCES FINALISTS FOR 2023 KOVIC PEACE PRIZE

OCTOBER 12, 2023 – LAGUNA BEACH, CA – Ron Kovic is an artist, an activist and author of the New York Times best-selling autobiography Born on the Fourth of July, which chronicles his experience in the Vietnam war. On his second tour of duty, Kovic was paralyzed from the waist down, while leading a squad of Marines at the front of the battle. 

The experience showed him the horrible nature of war and, since then, he has been a tireless advocate and activist for peace. He was a prominent spokesperson for the anti-war movement in the 1960s and 70s and addressed the Democratic National Convention in 1976. He joined President Obama, and other dignitaries, at the 32nd annual Kennedy Center Honors Ceremony in 2009 and Rome's Mayor Gianni Alemanno, and other civic leaders, as a member of Council for Dignity, Forgiveness, and Reconciliation in 2010.

Each year, Kovic sponsors the Ron Kovic Peace Prize, as part of The MY HERO International Film Festival. The award comes with a $1,000 cash prize to support filmmakers who address the theme of peace in their work. 

This years Kovic Peace Prize finalists are:

Keiko FukazawaAnabelle Vo 

In Keiko Fukazawa, by Anabelle Vo, Keiko Fukazawa uses her art to address gun violence — an issue that has greatly impacted the quality of life in America.

Tears, Fears, Guns & SolutionsMitchell Waters

In Tears, Fears, Guns & Solutions, by Mitchell Waters, we learn about the struggles of teens in the Minneapolis inner city. 

1.5 Degrees of PeaceKasha Sequoia Slavner

In 1.5 Degrees of Peace, filmmaker Kasha Sequoia Slavner sets out to change the world.

WarMahyar Zaheri 

In War,  Mahyar Zaheri offers viewers an experimental glimpse of history and war, through the eyes of a young soldier. 

Four Youth Finalists have also been named:

In Kateryna Yushchenko: Effects of the War in Ukraine, by  Logan Montalbano and Ethan Sung of New Roads School, the former first lady of Ukraine shares the effects of the war in her country. 

NON VIOLENCE, by Mendy Kanu, is the story of a music group made of artists, with street life backgrounds, who sing about peace.By: 

Shalom Ukraine (Youth Bridge), by Olga Kotlytska, is a film about Ukrainian teenage refugees from different parts of Ukraine.

Echoes of War is a music video that features the song "Echoes of War," by singer and filmmaker Kedaton Campbell.

VIEW KOVIC PEACE PRIZE FINALIST FILMS HERE

About the MY HERO International Film Festival:

The My Hero Film Festival is an annual event dedicated to showcasing films that celebrate the power of the human spirit. Hosted by Eva Haller, a prominent philanthropist and advocate for social change, the festival provides a platform for filmmakers to share inspirational stories of everyday heroes. The festival aims to inspire audiences to recognize the heroism in their own lives and encourage positive actions in their communities. Learn more.