CONTACT: RACHEL PRIEBE                                                                          FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The MY HERO Project
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ALL INVITED - MY HERO FILM FESTIVAL VIRTUAL AWARDS CEREMONY - THIS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2025

NOVEMBER 4, 2025 — LAGUNA BEACH, CA - MY HERO invites you to join the 21st Annual MY HERO International Film Festival, a family-friendly celebration of creativity, courage, and compassion.

All are welcome! Join us in honoring the storytellers who are changing the world, one hero at a time.

This year’s festival will be held virtually on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at 2:00 PM (PST). There is no fee to attend, though donation-based reservations are gratefully accepted. Reservations are required — once you register, you’ll receive the Zoom link(s) to attend.

Event Details:
Date: Saturday, December 13, 2025
Time: 2:00 PM (PST)
Location: Via Zoom
RSVP: REGISTER HERE

The 2025 MY HERO International Film Festival Awards Ceremony will be hosted by Eva Haller during her renowned weekly salon. For the past eight years, Eva has proudly presented the Women Transforming Media Award (WTM) as part of the Festival, championing and supporting filmmakers whose work shines a light on the powerful influence of women in media. The $2,500 WTM award is shared by two divisions —student and professional filmmakers. 

The Virtual Event will feature inspiring filmmakers and heroes from around the world whose films reflect service, courage, and positive action. Categories include Narrative, Documentary, Music video, Experimental, Animation, Trailer, and Excerpt. Separate divisions honor Elementary, Middle School, High School, College and Professional filmmakers. During the program, the recipients of MY HERO’s special awards will be introduced, with presentations by leaders whose work has strengthened communities and inspired meaningful change.

The program will also include a tribute to Jane Goodall, a close friend of Haller’s.

A host of inspiring leaders, including Haller, will present Special Awards at the 21st Annual MY HERO International Film Festival. Other presenters include:

Esther Wojcicki (WOJ)

Esther Wojcicki is a legendary media arts educator, author, and journalist. Esther presents the WOJ Youth Reporter Award, which honors young storytellers who highlight individuals working for positive change.

The WOJ Youth Reporter Award offers up to $2,000 in prize money. This award encourages elementary, middle, high school, and college-age students to use their creativity and voice to highlight those working for positive change. 

Kathy Eldon, Amy Eldon-Turteltaub & Daniel Eldon-Turteltaub of Creative Visions Foundation present the Dan Eldon Activist Award, celebrating stories that honor Kathy’s late son Dan Eldon, a fearless activist, artist, and photojournalist who was killed on assignment in Somalia in 1993. Dan dedicated his life to telling the untold stories of those in need.

The Dan Eldon Activist Award offers up to $1,500 in prize money to filmmakers whose works highlight the theme of activism. 

Ron Kovic 

Ron Kovic is an author, artist and peace activist. His memoir Born on the Fourth of July was a New York Times best seller, and its film adaptation, directed by Oliver Stone won multiple Academy Awards. Ron presents the Kovic Peace Prize, which honors filmmakers who tell stories about peace and nonviolent action.

The $1,000 Ron Kovic Peace Prize is awarded to a filmmaker whose work best promotes peace. 

Camille Zamora, Monica Yunus, Jennifer Register, and Eva Haller

These leaders from Sing for Hope present the Sing for Hope Music Video Award, which celebrates music videos that use the arts to support healing and community.

The Sing for Hope Music Video Award offers up to $2,000 in cash prizes and is sponsored by Sing for Hope Board member Eva Haller and co-sponsored by Guitars in the Classroom. It celebrates music videos that harness the power of the arts to create a better world.

All winning short films will also be available to stream on the MY HERO Project website beginning December 13th — perfect for sharing with family and friends this holiday season. Many thanks to the Scripps Family Impact Fund for helping to make this happen!

To see all the special awards, go to: myhero.com/special-awards

Past festival winners can be viewed on the MY HERO website: myhero.com/winners. The festival is part of The MY HERO Project, a 501(c)(3) organization with a mission to celebrate the world’s heroes through stories, short films, music, and art. For more information, visit MY HERO’s award-winning website www.myhero.com.