FINALISTS NAMED IN THE 2023 WOMEN TRANSFORMING MEDIA AWARD

Eva Haller WTM AwardMY HERO

CONTACT:                                                    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wendy Milette
Director The MY HERO International Film Festival
[email protected]

FINALISTS NAMED IN THE 2023 WOMEN TRANSFORMING MEDIA AWARD

OCTOBER 6, 2023 – LAGUNA BEACH, CA - Eva Haller is a philanthropist, an activist, a MY HERO board member and a mentor to generations. She’s a Holocaust survivor who lost her older brother in the war and vowed to spend her life helping people to honor his memory. Many individuals and organizations have benefitted from that vow — Women for Women International, Asian Initiatives, Free the Children and the Jane Goodall Institute are only a few. 

Each year, Haller sponsors the Women Transforming Media Award at The MY HERO International Film Festival. She established the award to inspire and support filmmakers whose work features women changemakers or women’s issues and has expanded the contest to include an award for students, from elementary school to college, as well as for professional filmmakers. 

MY HERO has chosen six professional filmmakers as finalists in this year’s competition:

The Black Mermaidby Zandile Ndhlovu
The Black Mermaid, by Zandile Ndhlovu, tells the story of Ndhlovu, the Black Mermaid, who is changing the perception of the ocean in her community.

Keiko Fukazawaby Anabelle Vo
Keiko Fukazawa, by Anabelle Vo, a film about a woman who uses her art to address gun violence, an issue that has greatly impacted the quality of life in America.

Undervalued Women in the Workplace ‘She’s Acting for Changeby Davon JohnsonUndervalued Women in the Workplace ‘She’s Acting for Change, the trailer of a documentary short by Davon Johnson, in which two women from different professions share their experiences with gender discrimination.

Willow + Lunaby Destiny Finn
Willow + Luna, a film by Destiny Finn, tells the story of creative artist and shop owner in Juneau, Alaska, who offers advice to the next generation of women and creators.

Cadena en Cadena (Stitch by Stitch), directed by Rachel Thompson and produced by: Juliana Kasmanas, tells of a women's embroidery collective in Mexico that passes down traditional Maya patterns while expanding gender roles.

GoddessesMorgan Maassen 

Goddesses, by Morgan Maassen, features three young, Tahitian women — sisters — who share a love of nature, surfing and and a glimpse into their way of life.

1.5 Degrees of PeaceKasha Sequoia Slavne 

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

In addition, three student finalists have been named:

A Prayer for My Mother: The Eva Brettler Story, by Cheri Gaulke and Samara Hutman, is an animated film that chronicles the extraordinary saga of Holocaust survivor Eva Brettler.

Heroes Among Us - A Conversation with Captain Alma Lowry, by Clara Yang, is a documentary in which student reporters interview Captain Lowry about her experiences in leadership and community service.

PB&J Productions My Hero, by Shelby Dahl, is an an interview of Savannah Ackerman, the School Outreach Coordinator for Tree People.

Oasis: The Projection of your own Identity, is Yearning, by Amiko Muscat, is the story of Jessica Recinos, a choreographer based in San Francisco who is yearning to pursue her identity and culture through dance.

My Hero Maya Angelou, by Sakura Forney, is a story about Maya Angelou's life and how she changed her community's perspective on racism and sexism.

View the finalists for the 2023 WTM Award online.

Save the date for this year’s MY HERO International Film Festival, a celebration of stories that celebrate the indomitable human spirit. The festival Award Ceremony will take place online, on November 18, 2023, at 2pm EST, hosted by Eva Haller during her popular weekly salon series. Learn more and register.

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.

About the Eva Haller Salon Series

Eva's Salons bring together artists, scientists, and media makers from around the globe. The Eva Haller Salons take place virtually every Saturday at 2:00 PM PST. MY HERO hosts an archive of the salon series. To request an invitation to attend the Salon Series please email [email protected]