KITS has Won a MY HERO Award at the 20th Film Festival

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CONTACT:                                               
Wendy Milette
Director The MY HERO International Film Festival
[email protected]

KITS has won a MY HERO Award at the 20^th Film Festival

“Run” directed by Brandon Broady and written, acted, and produced by Kids In The Spotlight (KITS*) has won 1st place in the student mentor narrative category at the 20^th MY HERO International Film Festival. 

Run

'Run'Brandon Broady

In the film 'Run', the writers wanted to tell a unique and authentic story about mental health, addressing the stigmas that cause people to hide their issues and/or prevent them from getting the mental health care help they need. The story centers on a family grappling with these challenges, focusing on a mother who denies her son’s mental illness to the detriment of her own safety and her daughter’s education. The film concludes with the daughter’s graduation from high school where she makes a heartfelt speech urging families everywhere to acknowledge and prioritize mental health.

MY HERO interviewed Brandon about the process of making the film ‘Run’:

How long have you been making films?

I have been making films for about 20 years now having my humble beginnings as early as film school at Towson University in Towson, MD. I have directed a short for Kids in The Spotlight* for the last 13 years. Some of my latest projects include "Project Foster", "Mind Games", and "Run".

What in your opinion is the importance of the film, and what are its strengths?

"Project Foster" tackles an important issue within the foster care system that is not as commonly discussed as it should be - over-medication of youth for profit by pharmaceutical companies.

What are the issues that are most important to you?

I think that youth deserve to be heard and have a platform to speak on the traumas they have endured in a truthful way. Kids In The Spotlight has allowed me to bring these voices to life. There's no particular issue, just as a whole, I think that it is important for them to be heard.

Could you please tell us about the film's process: Who was on the team?

My team was comprised of close friends, all who are extremely talented in their own right. I had my friend Niki McElroy produce and 1st AD, she was one of my first friends in Los Angeles. My old college roommate and best friend Samuel Akinyele was my DP, my sister from another mister, Joncea Dixon, who I know from the stand-up comedy world was my 2nd AD. My friend Lamps who has been my sound mixer for the last 6 years made his return as well. 

How did the idea for the film arise?

The idea came from the brilliant minds of the Kids in The Spotlight 18-22 age foster youth.

What were some of the challenges, successes, and high points?

Making these films is always a challenge I enjoy taking on because I am working with actors who have limited experience, the production has a limited budget, and I am limited to one day of shooting. Nonetheless, I am always able to complete a project that I am proud of. I know that I could make some REAL MAGIC if I didn't have as many limitations.

What was it like working with KITS?

I love working with Kids In The Spotlight and it is one of the highlights of my year. From the table reads, to rehearsals, to production, to screening and awards, I am able to bear witness to real-time transformations with the youth, which is truly heart-warming and remarkable.

Do you have a personal hero?

My personal hero is my Dad. He believed in me before anyone else did and said I was destined for greatness. He passed in November of '23, but not before letting me know he was proud of me and loved me. He always said you don't have to be a perfect person, you just have to be a good person, and that's what I always strive to be 

*Kids in the Spotlight founded by Tige Charity

KITS empowers foster care youth, ages 12-22, to heal and overcome trauma through storytelling and filmmaking. The idea behind KITS is simple yet profound: allow foster youth to create their own narratives. This process provides a creative outlet and helps the youth build confidence, learn new skills, and heal from past trauma. KITS mentors guide these young filmmakers from script to screen, culminating in an annual awards ceremony where the films are showcased, and the achievements of these young people are celebrated.

KITS' flagship program, Script-to-Screen, brings filmmaking to youth in foster care. Through a series of workshops and mentorship sessions, participants learn the essentials of scriptwriting, acting, casting, and production. With the support of industry professionals, they transform their ideas into 10-minute short films. This hands-on experience allows the participants to express their thoughts, feelings, and experiences in a safe and supportive environment.

Read more here: www.myhero.com/tige-charity

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.

The 2024 Awards were presented at the 20th Anniversary MY HERO International Film Festival Awards Ceremony on November 16th, 2024 in Santa Monica at the Ann & Jerry Moss Theater at New Roads School. You can read all about it here: myhero.com/2024-award-ceremony