MY HERO CALLS FOR ENTRIES OF SHORT, OCEAN-MINDED FILMS - SCREENING TO BE HELD AT RIVIAN LAGUNA

CONTACT: Rachel Priebe                                                                                  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MY HERO International Film Festival
[email protected]

MY HERO CALLS FOR ENTRIES OF SHORT, OCEAN-MINDED FILMS - MAY 1ST DEADLINE

APRIL 16, 2026 - LAGUNA BEACH, CA - Submissions are open for the 2026 Sylvia Earle Ocean Conservation Award, which honors filmmakers whose short films highlights ocean heroes around the world. The award is presented each year on June 8th - World Oceans Day. The deadline for submissions is May 1, 2026.

Sylvia Earle Ocean Conservation AwardMY HERO 

The award is named for Dr. Sylvia Earle, Ph.D., world-renowned oceanographer, author and explorer who has led more than 70 expeditions, including one this month in the Antarctic region. Earle is Founder and President of the nonprofit Mission Blue organization and a National Geographic Society Explorer in Residence. 

Sylvia EarleMission Blue 

The award, which comes with up to $2,000 in Cash Prizes, is part of the MY HERO International Film Festival and is sponsored by MacGillivray Freeman Films Educational Foundation's One World One Ocean Campaign. 

“Sylvia Earle is our ocean hero, and we hope this award inspires aspiring filmmakers to shine a spotlight on other dedicated people from all walks of life who are working tirelessly on behalf of our oceans.“     

                                                         - IMAX filmmaker.Greg MacGillivray

Student filmmakers submit for free - email [email protected] for a fee waiver code.

Submit your short film HERE.

Ocean Award ScreeningMY HERO 

 Join us for a World Oceans Day celebration featuring a special screening of winning short films from the 2026 Sylvia Earle Ocean Conservation Award. Filmmakers and award presenters will be on hand at this special event and local organizations will be recognized for their work in protecting our oceans.  

Saturday, June 6, 2026
Doors open at 6:30pm
Films start at 7:00pm

Rivian South Coast Theater
162 South Coast Highway,

Laguna Beach, CA 92651

Ocean-minded nonprofits are welcome to participate in the June 6th event. Email [email protected] for information. 

About The MY HERO Project

The MY HERO International Film Festival is part of The MY HERO Project, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to sharing stories, art, music, and short films about everyday heroes throughout the world. Since 1995, MY HERO has hosted the world's largest archive of hero stories, and MY HERO resources are used in classrooms and after-school programs in 197 countries. Learn more at myhero.com.

About the MY HERO International Film Festival

The MY HERO International Film Festival unites professional and youth filmmakers who use their craft to create positive change in the world. Thanks to generous support from our sponsors, prizes are awarded across multiple categories—including documentary, narrative, music video, animation, experimental, and more. The festival honors work from filmmakers of all ages, from elementary school to professionals. For more information, visit: myhero.com/FilmFestival.

About MacGillivray Freeman Films

MacGillivray Freeman Films, makers of IMAX films since the 1970s, launched its One World One Ocean campaign to raise awareness of ocean degradation, to inspire people by showing the ocean in its healthy, wild state, and to spark a global movement to protect the world's seas. Each year, the organization sponsors the Sylvia Earle Ocean Conservation Award.