CONTACT: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JEANNE MEYERS
Co-founder/Director
The MY HERO Project
[email protected]
WHEN THE DEVIL SMOKED IN PARADISE BY KATHERINE LIAO RECEIVES BEST OF FEST AT 2024 MY HERO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
Katherine Liao poses with her certificate and trophy at the MY HERO Film Festival Ceremony, November 16th, 2024. Myron McClure Photography/The MY HERO Project
NOVEMBER 20, 2024 – LAGUNA BEACH, CA – The MY HERO Project hosted their 20th Annual International Film Festival Awards Ceremony on November 16th, 2024 at the Ann & Jerry Moss Theater at New Roads School in Santa Monica. The ceremony was hosted Gabrielle Gorman, a human rights advocate and friend of MY HERO, and featured performances from Sozi and Stu Pearlman and Friends.
When the Devil Smoked in Paradise by Katherine Liao received the BEST of FEST Award at the ceremony, along with the WOJ High School Documentary Award and the Dan Eldon Youth Activist Award. The film also won the High School Documentary category. The short documentary details a grassroots campaign by residents from Irvine, Orange County against All American Asphalt’s (AAA) large plant in the center of the city, which was emitting dangerous chemicals into the atmosphere. You can watch When the Devil Smoked in Paradise here.
Myron McClure Photography/The MY HERO ProjectKatherine Liao attends the MY HERO Film Festival ceremony with her family.
Katherine Liao, a junior high school student and activist, became involved in the campaign against the Irvine AAA plant in 2021 and was inspired by the courage and dedication of the people around her fighting for change. “They all had families and kids,” she explained to MY HERO, “just like the rest of us. Yet, they took courageous actions and sacrificed their time for something that seemed impossible at first. Their resilience and commitment were truly eye-opening for me.”
Though Liao faced challenges in creating his film on her own, she knew that sharing her community’s story was too important. “[This film] shows the power within every single human to do good,” she told MY HERO, adding, “We harbor misconceptions that heroes must be iconic historical figures […] [but] we can do more good than we think.” She hopes that the film will inspire others to follow the example set by the campaigners in the film.
Myron McClure Photography/The MY HERO ProjectMY HERO Film Festival Director Wendy Milette (right) presents Katherine Liao (left) with the BEST of FEST Award.
Liao attended the MY HERO Film Festival Ceremony on November 16th, 2024, to accept her awards. Kathy Eldon and Esther Wojcicki, long-time friends of MY HERO and presenters of the Dan Eldon Activist Award and WOJ Youth Reporter Award respectively, both congratulated Liao on her win. Said Wojcicki:
I want to congratulate everybody and especially this incredible young woman. I could not believe her video. I had to look at it several times: When the Devil Smoked in Paradise. You're amazing and [need to] be recognized for your incredible work. It's incredible.
Myron McClure Photography/The MY HERO ProjectEsther Wojcicki invites Katherine Liao to the stage in celebration of her winning film 'When the Devil Smoked in Paradise.'
In her acceptance speech, Liao thanked The MY HERO Project, her family, and the campaigners featured in the film. “Thank you, guys for taking on the challenge and stepping up to protect Irvine. It's you who made Irvine one of the safest places to live in America,” Liao said. She closed her speech with an inspiring message:
I just want to convey one message tonight. It’s that we are ordinary, are everyday individuals, but we all have the potential to make a difference. Even though we may seem weak at first and we may seem that we can't do anything, as long as we take initiatives and as long as we unite, we come together. We can make this world a better place and we can be the heroes in our own story. Thank you so much.
Myron McClure Photography/The MY HERO ProjectKatherine Liao gives an acceptance speech, November 16th, 2024.
When the Devil Smoked in Paradise is Liao’s first film, but she is wasting no time in brainstorming her next.
About the Dan Eldon Activist Award
Dan Eldon was a fearless activist, artist, and photojournalist who dedicated his life to telling untold stories and helping those in need. His work appeared in art journals and exhibitions, inspiring countless individuals globally. In his honor, Kathy Eldon of the Creative Visions Foundation established this award to celebrate Dan’s legacy and creative spirit. Each year, Kathy Eldon and Dan's sister Amy Eldon Turteltaub present the Dan Eldon Activist Award to the filmmaker who best uses their craft to celebrate activists who create change in the world.
About the WOJ Youth Reporter Award
The WOJ Youth Reporter Award celebrates youth reporters who are creating videos on heroes making a positive difference in their community and the world. Esther Wojcicki, an outstanding media arts educator, author and journalist, presents this award.
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. The festival provides a platform for filmmakers to share inspirational stories of everyday heroes. Thanks to generous sponsors, prizes are awarded to elementary, middle school, high school, college and professionals in a variety of categories including documentary, narrative, music video, animation, experimental, and more.
The festival aims to inspire audiences to recognize the heroism in their own lives and encourage positive actions in their communities. Learn more.
MY HERO International Film Festival Highlights
MY HERO will host the 20th Anniversary MY HERO International Film Festival Highlights Ceremony on Wednesday, December 11th at The Rivian South Coast Theater from 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm. The ceremony will include screenings of top awards including When the Devil Smoked in Paradise. You can find out more here. Register here.
Page created on 11/21/2024 10:30:44 PM
Last edited 11/21/2024 11:12:06 PM
