Students can submit either a short film, story, or artwork for publication. Explore examples of films, stories, and art on MY HERO.
Short Films Created by Elementary Students
My Bus Driver
By: Kevin Rodriguez
Ascot Elementary student Kevin made this film to honor his bus driver.
Joy Buolamwini
By: Abbigail Mira - Ascot Avenue Elementary School
This film was made by Ascot Avenue Elementary student Abbigail Mira.
Ildaura Murillo-Rohde
By: Sophia Guillen
This film was made by Ascot Avenue Elementary student Sophia Guillen.
Nicole Hernandez Hammer
By: Ascot Avenue Elementary School
This film about Nicole Hernandez Hammer was made by Ascot Avenue Elementary student Jade Figueroa.
My Hero: Antonia Garcia
By: Mareline Martinez
Mareline Martinez made this film to honor Antonia Garcia, her hero.
Pip's Kitchen
By: Mentor: Wendy Milette
Pip, an axolotl invites guests from around the world to share recipes on her cooking show.
For Mom, My Lighthouse
By: Emilee Sung
You are the light who watches over me. The light who searches for me when I’m curled up in the darkness.
Short Films Created by Middle School Students
Sustainability
By: Finn Dewitt
Finn takes us through a time machine into two possible futures—each depicting the potential outcome of choices we make today regarding climate change and our treatment of the planet.
Viva La Veta
By: Natalie Chien
13-year-old Natalie wonders why Veta La Palma, a magical fish farm in Spain that produces the most delicious fish double-Michelin star Chef Dan Barber has ever tasted by harnessing Nature to raise fish, is a secret from the world.
When the Light Dances
By: Clarissa Ngo / Jordan
9-year-old Jordan performs his poems, "When the Light Dances,” “Love & Soda,” and “Blue Fear."
The Runaway Bear
By: Alivia Hsu
For the kid in you who refuses to take orders from anyone.
Kuinerraq
By: Magnus Shipe - MESA/ Turquoise Trail Middle School
A young seventh grader explores the heritage of his maternal grandma through this glance at a Yu'pik village and his Native Alaskan roots.
Marie Curie: A Scientific Hero
By: Avery Olivia Calloway - Lora Batchelor Middle School
This is a film about the life of Marie Curie and her many accomplishments
Short Films Created by High School Students
When the Devil Smoked in Paradise
By: Katherine Liao
In a city where the median home price is $1.8M and land costs $6M per acre because it is “The Safest City in America,” few know that tucked away in a hillock, a secret “All American Asphalt” plant is quietly belching 221 pounds of benzene and 1,800 pounds of formaldehyde every year.
LOLA
By: DCTV Youth Media
A documentary from the perspective of a grandchild exploring his grandmother's legacy as an aid worker.
Gone
By: Hunter Nickless - Governor's School of the Arts
Luca, a teenage boy navigates life through his new surroundings, life lessons, and clouded memories.
Fear of Drowning
By: Luna Adams
A self-portrait piece that explores the facets of sexuality, identity, and growing up. Following streaming of consciousness that shares my thoughts paired with unique images.
The Sound of the Rain
By: Teagan Burgess - New Roads School
A poetic film about how grief and loss can change the things you love.
Short Films Created by College Students
Man's Best Friend
By: Jaimi Qiu - California Institute of the Arts
A variety of animals are interviewed about their experiences with humans!
Catch the Moon
By: Schantelle Alonzo - School of Visual Arts
Javi's father has left for America to provide for the family. Javi copes with his absence as he ponders the moon, pretending to catch it as his father once said he would do for him.
Keeper of the Night Sky
By: Karina Loerchner
A adventurous little girl with an overactive imagination ventures into places she shouldn't ought to be, and wreaks havoc with a poor unsuspecting dragon.
Mirror, Mirror
By: Grayson Bellingham - The Animation School
Jackie is startled to find a boy in her mirror instead of her reflection.
Aqui
By: Anabella Gonzalez - School of Visual Arts
A girl going through stressors in her life starts to physically unravel.
You can explore all of the winning films from the 2024 MY HERO International Film Festival, along with winners from previous years, here.
Stories For Early Readers
Esme Tran (Early Reader Edition)
By: Naomi Gledhill
Esme Tran won the MY HERO Robert Shetterly Portrait Contest in 2022 with a painting she did of her and her brother, Hugo.
Nelly Cheboi: CNN’s Hero of the Year 2022 (Early Reader Edition)
By: Naomi Gledhill
Nelly Cheboi's work to help give children a better education meant she was voted Hero of the Year 2022 at CNN.
Ellen Ochoa: Early Reader Edition
By: Naomi Gledhill
Ellen Ochoa enjoyed learning about math, science, physics and engineering. In 1985, Ellen decided that she wanted to become an astronaut and fly to space.
Mae C. Jemison: Early Reader Edition
By: Naomi Gledhill
Mae C. Jemison was accepted to Stanford University with a scholarship aged 16. In 1987, Mae decided that she wanted to become an astronaut and fly to space.
Katherine Johnson: Early Reader Edition
By: Naomi Gledhill
Read this early-reader-friendly story about American mathematician, Katherine Johnson.
