FILMS

Featured Festival Winners

Watch winning films from our International Film Festival!

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Man of Heal "Man of Heal" is a poignant short film created for the Black & Unlimited Black Fatherhood Project, offering an intimate portrayal of Joel's transformative journey as a father
Gabriel Diamond Gabriel Diamond, filmmaker and his inspiration.
Tiffany Shlain Receives Media Award The MY HERO Media Award 2024 was presented to Tiffany Shlain and Goldie Hawn for their short documentary 'The Teen Brain.'
Tribute to Wendy Milette My Hero’s Film Festival and Media Arts Education Director, Wendy Milette, has directed the festival for 20 years while bringing hope and inspiration to millions of people around the globe.
Superhuman Body - Behind the Scenes Superhuman Body shows the extraordinary ways our bodies work, and how science and technology help us to intervene when things go wrong.
Grillo Grillo (2024) follows the story of David “Grillo” Amodio, a man shaped by gang violence, addiction, and incarceration in East L.A. WARNING: MATURE SUBJECT MATTER .
Rewilding Honeybees Progressive conservationist Michael Thiele is “re-wilding” honey bees — introducing swarms to habitats that are more conducive to the instinctive preferences that allow them to thrive.
When the Devil Smoked in Paradise 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.
ROOTED FOR THE FUTURE We see the life-changing and transformational work of this crisis center, the Relatives, through the teen's eyes.
Daga - A Woman’s Fight to Empower Girls in her Village In southern Senegal, Daga Baldé, a local leader in her community, is a passionate advocate for girls’ and women’s education.
Run The writers wanted to tell a unique and authentic story about mental health
It's Not About the Question What happens when social change leaders meet? Strangers from a wide range of regions and issue areas met up to share a unique experience of getting to know each other in a radical way.
Her Voice PASSWORD: Education1961, Under a tight deadline, journalism student Gwendolyn struggles to choose a historical figure as the focus of a high school homework assignment.
The Future Innu An ode to the land in relation to my double identity as an urban Indigenous person. A story that is both personal and poetic.
Caine's Arcade Caine Munroy created a working cardboard arcade in his father's garage.
Tiger Talk A tiger tells us his story.
TRANSPARENCY: Becoming Oliver Experimental short film made to visually accompany the original poem "Becoming Oliver" written by Oliver Marino.
Amelia Earhart It is a documentary about Amelia Earhart and how she is a hero.
The Forgotten Hero - Carl Lutz This video is about the Holocaust hero Carl Lutz, who saved 62,000 Jews during his lifetime.
The Story of José Rizal This is a short biographical film about the life and death of José Rizal, considered by many to be a national hero of the Philippines.
Fannie Lou Hamer - A Civil Rights Unsung Hero fanny This documentary is about the unsung hero Fannie Lou Hamer who helped African Americans receive their right to vote.
Finding Home A short documentary put together by a youth film maker regarding the systemic problems behind Homelessness and possible solutions.
Oasis: The Projection of your own Identity A young woman looking at the camera, with the sunset behind her. Jessica Recinos, a choreographer based in San Francisco is yearning to pursue her identity and culture through dance.
The Art Of Discovery Like scientists, artists conceptualize and put together ideas in new ways. Artists and scientists both have the ability to offer a deeper understanding of our Ocean.
One World One Ocean One World One Ocean campaign inspires stewardship of the sea.
Voice Above Water Learn about 90 year old, Wayan Nyo from Indonesia, who does his part to clean the ocean and make the world a much better place.
The Emerald Edge: Cedar's Story TREES "Explore the world’s largest coastal temperate rainforest in 360 degrees in a new immersive experience.
Ministry of Surf An intimate look inside the healing power of water & surfing on autistic children and the surfers who offer "one perfect day" to kids!
The Space Between Us dancers A radical somatic dialog about race and gender.
One More Time A woman facing the screen In this short documentary, One More Time, former band members of the Mighty Ram Band of Eastside High recall their golden days of performances
Water 3 A short film about my affinity for the ocean, its mystery and power.
Ocean Guardians whales Visionary creates grassroots social enterprise to prevent whale extinction.
The Hill We Climb Students in Wide Angle's Virtual Event Planning class created a collaborative artistic work surrounding Amanda Gorman's poem, "The Hill We Climb," which represented everything the students believed in.
Freeman Every day we pass homeless people, like Freeman, on the street and we don't know anything about them. This film is about one homeless man.
Heroes Among Us - A Conversation with Captain Alma Lowry In this student reporters interview, Captain Lowry and I talk about her experiences in leadership and community service.
Hard to Say HARD TO SAY dramatizes a moment in a teen girl’s life, when she speaks her truth and allows another person into her trauma.
Water, Star Medicine A teacher and her students study the nature, science, and brilliance of water. They visit the Rio Grande in New Mexico and interview Veda Austin, a New Zealand Māori scientist to learn that water is life, memory, and healing.
Green SuperHeroes 2030 Trailer A group of 10 young environmentalists changing the world for the better. Their powers make the planet greener.
Protecting Coral Reefs coral NOAA and the National Park Service are creating a geo-referenced coral reef base map to better understand coral reefs
Down the Road [excerpt] dad and daughter Woody and Luna generously help people in need after the Paradise fire.
A Prayer for My Mother: The Eva Brettler Story An animated film that chronicles the extraordinary saga of Holocaust survivor Eva Brettler – a child facing brutality and profound loss who finds sustenance in faith and her own dreams for the future.
Echoes of War by Kedaton Campbell A song titled "Echoes of War" by Kedaton Campbell
We are the Earth colorful face A powerful expressionistic animation for connecting to life.
The Unbound Project - Sarah Heiligtag cow The founder of Transfarmation shares her vision for a healthier world.
2023 Global Educator - Martin Smatana man Martin shares about creating his book A YEAR OF GOOD NEWS!
Reclaim Pigs in a pig farm Jo-Anne McArthur visited two pig farms: one industrial, packed with thousands of pigs, and one long abandoned.
60 Sec Docs with Jahkil Jackson Jahkil Jahkil Jackson from Chicago is the founder of Project I Am, an organization raising awareness about homelessness.
Twisted Tale Cinda Real [excerpt] Cinda Real (our take on the Cinderella), a story about a girl who is stigmatised for having only one leg and her intention to come to a dance, “only to dance”.
Wellness Song Three children standing next to each other An original song about wellness made by students at Pacific Elementary mentored by Wendy Milette
NON VIOLENCE
PB&J Productions My Hero This is an interview of Savannah Ackerman, the School Outreach Coordinator for Tree People.
Shalom Ukraine (YouthBridge) A film about Ukrainian teenage refugees from different parts of Ukraine, who with their art and talents convey to Europeans the truth about Ukraine.
Keiko Fukazawa Keiko Keiko Fukazawa uses her art to address an issue that has greatly impacted the quality of life in America: gun violence.
The Descent The Descent is an animated Virtual Reality journey into the mythical Underworld that explores the themes of grief and loss
Just A Girl A young woman standing in front of the sea The emotive film shares the voices and stories of three young girls whose childhoods were stolen when they became child brides and mothers in Nigeria.
War The story of a boy named Farid Bardbar…
Gratitude Revealed [trailer] girl Take a breath and be inspired...
It Takes a Lemon This film is about a grieving man who builds a lemonade stand in the park in honor of his daughter
This Fragile Paradise Watch 17-year-old Ashley Tsai honor Mbororo pastoralist and sacred resource cartographer Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim.
Mother Moon Elciana shares her poetry for the Moon.
Goddesses A short film on Vahine, Heimiti and Kohai Fierro of Tahiti.
My Hero - Maya Angelou Maya Angelou's life and how she changed her community's perspective on racism and sexism.
The Kite An enchanting tale about remembering those who are no longer with us.
Martin Smatana is the winner of the MY HERO 2023 Global Educator Award Martin SmaMartin has been honored with the Global Educator Award for his educational films and his uplifting children’s book, A Year of Good News.
Pieces of Us Pieces of Us’ reminds us of the positive and negative impacts of tourism, and what can be achieved by human ingenuity in the fight against plastic pollution.
SGT. PUSHUP | Helping Children One Pushup at a Time (Trailer) Patrick Parker, a decorated war veteran who loves his country, created the character of 'Sgt. Pushup' to feed children
Andy Animated golden retriever sitting on the floor. An uplifting story of how one puppy overcomes a series of obstacles to find his purpose in life.
Amazon Frontlines: "Who Should Decide the Future of the Amazon?"
Racism Must Stop A young girl looking into the camera A documentary short exploring the impact of racism on the lives of children and adults.
Alan Magee: art is not a solace [excerpts] This film comprises three short excerpts from a documentary about the artist Alan Magee.
2021 IFF Special Hero Climate Activist Award | Slater Jewell-Kemker and Wendy Jewell Slater Jewell-Kemker and Wendy Jewell accept the Special Hero: Climate Activist Award at the 2021 MY HERO International Film Festival.
Young Storytellers -

Our mission is simple: we inspire young people to discover the power of their voice. Using one-on-one mentorship, low-income students learn how to write original stories and see them brought to life on stage and film. As a result, young people learn that their voice matters.
The Future of Our Species This fall marks the release of 'Leonardo's Brain,' the book that Director Tiffany Shlain's father and best-selling author, Leonard Shlain, finished days before he passed away. Tiffany builds off her father's ideas to explore the future of our species.
I'll take it from here... Because I'm a Girl

One in three girls around the world is denied an education by the daily realities of poverty, conflict or discrimination.
Andy (excerpt - from Iff Awards 2022) Animated golden retriever sitting on the floor. An uplifting story of how one puppy overcomes a series of obstacles to find his purpose in life.
Michael Ben-Eli on Creating a Sustainable World Michael Ben-Eli and his Sustainability Laboratory are creating some new ideas and experiments to change the way that we take care of our planet and ourselves.
Nancy Economou and Watts of Love
Endangered Species An original song and video to raise awareness about endangered species. Made by Elementary students.
My Hero's Chair My superhero is no longer of this world…yet …he is forever of MY world, because superheroes never die.
Waking from a Dream about Forests A poem appreciating forests
The Morning Mist A poem about the beauties of the different times of the day.
Dian Fossey; A Hero This is a film about the life and career of Dian Fossey.
Anne Frank; A Hero This video is about the life of Anne Frank.
The White Rose Animated white rose The story of the German students who resisted the Nazis by distributing incendiary leaflets.
Sky so Blue A poem appreciating the wonders of nature.
Breonna's Garden AR Animated image of Breonna Taylor in a garden Breonna’s Garden is an Augmented Reality experience being created in collaboration with Ju’Niyah Palmer, Breonna Taylor’s little sister.
Who Should Decide The Future of the Amazon? A global campaign aims to raise awareness on the urgent need to respect Indigenous people's right to decide over the future of their territories, cultures & lives.
UKWATI // The Wedding “UKWATI” captures the relationship between a mother and her daughter as they both struggle to survive.
Wapikoni Mobile and "The Future Innu" Win Big at MY HERO 18th Annual Film Fest
2022 Emerging Artist Lucy Schacher Lucy is an emerging artist with a strong voice for humanity.
Made in Madras Made in Madras is the story of an 18-year-old soccer player, Sangeetha, who lives on the streets of Madras (aka Chennai).
The Sustainability Laboratory A short video highlighting the good work of Dr. Michael Ben-Eli & the Sustainability Laboratory in their mission to save the planet.
2022 TEACHER HERO - JEFFREY RUDKIN A wonderful media arts educator who inspires his students with a focus on hero based storytelling!
Dr. Mandeep Rai: Dr. Rai - 'The Values Compass' Global authority on values working with companies & institutions around the world. London Sunday Times / WSJ bestselling author, "The Values Compass."
The Poet Mohameth Niane, from Senegal, shares his poem about the need to respect women and stop violence against them. Others chime in on his poetry.
LITTLE BIG STEVE (Trailer) A portrait of a guy with surprising resilience and his return to the shanty town, where he began his life!
Hello Anna! Author and illustrator Anna Walker recounts her memories of writing and creating her award-winning children's books.
Super Ruby This piece pays homage to the power of positivity generated by Ruby, a young sporting champion who endeavours to lead her best life everday.
Inclusion On the Air Emily Perl Kingsley is a former Sesame Street writer and longtime activist for children with disabilities and their families.
Building a Shower Trailer for Chico's Houseless on a Budget... of Love! This video is one of the latest from the Respectful Revolution project that is dedicated to documenting humane solutions to our world's many challenges.
Sylvia Earle Ocean Conservation Award
G.I. José G.I. José WARNING - This film is recommended for mature audiences - it contains strong language and violence -viewer discretion advised. A Mexican-American U.S. Army soldier comes back home and has a dilemma.
Frame by Frame [Trailer]

After decades of war and an oppressive Taliban regime, four Afghan photojournalists face the realities of building a free press in a country left to stand on its own -- reframing Afghanistan for the world and for themselves.
Rainforest Action In 2020 Nemonte received the prestigious Goldman Environmental Prize and was named to Time Magazine’s Top 100, its annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world.
Still I Rise A visual and musical interpretation of American poet and civil rights activist Maya Angelou’s electrifying poem "Still I Rise."
Hummingbird [excerpt from dirt! THE MOVIE] Wangari Maathai shares a simple story to illustrate a powerful point.
VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS: CHASE THE DREAM [Trailer] Kamala Harris, the first black woman and South Asian American to serve as the Vice President of the United States ...
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