FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Young Filmmakers Honored at 21st Annual International Film Festival
Los Angeles, CA — December 13, 2025 — The MY HERO Project hosted Part One of its 21st Annual International Film Festival Awards Ceremony on December 13, 2025, as a featured program during Eva Haller and Heidi Groshelle’s weekly salon. The event celebrated filmmakers from around the world whose stories spotlight individuals and issues driving positive change.
A highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of the 2025 WOJ Youth Reporter Awards, presented by Esther Wojcicki, world-renowned educator and author. The award is given annually to young storytellers whose films demonstrate thoughtful journalism and a commitment to global awareness.
This year’s WOJ Youth Reporter Award recipients are:
Bottles of Change is a documentary about High School youth taking charge of recycling.
More Crocodiles Than People: Cambodia’s Hidden Story is set in Siem Reap, Cambodia, and examines how crocodile farming once resulted in more crocodiles than people in the town. Following the collapse of the market, the film documents farmers’ struggles and the transition from breeding farms to modern conservation efforts, highlighting the urgent fight to save Cambodia’s critically endangered Siamese crocodile.
Mario Molina profiles the Mexican chemist whose groundbreaking research led to the discovery of the Antarctic ozone hole. Molina was a co-recipient of the 1995 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for identifying the threat posed by chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) gases to Earth’s ozone layer—work that helped inspire global environmental policy.
Esther Wojcicki
Said Esther: “It is a great honor to be here. These are some of the most amazing young people. I’m honored to have served as a judge at this festival, and I want everyone to know that the films that did not win are also excellent. If you look at all the films shown today, they address problems facing our planet—not just in one country, but all around the world. These young people care about others, about the planet, and about the world. I want to congratulate them on creating outstanding videos. Most of these students are in elementary, middle, or high school, and yet look at what they’ve produced—it’s amazing. Congratulations, and thank you so much for caring about our world.”
Ethan and Nathaniel were in attendance and shared how honored they and Eloise were to accept the award. They thanked the MY HERO International Film Festival and Esther Wojcicki and acknowledged Wendy Wert and the LA County Sanitation Districts for their support and for helping produce the film.
Ethan and Nathaniel
Said Ethan: “And to our parents, and to all the other people along the way who helped teach us about filmmaking, journalism, and reporting—thank you. This is the first time the three of us have made a film together, but we had a really great time, and we’re hoping to do more in the future.”
Kian
Said Kian: “In Cambodia, crocodiles are strong and ancient animals. They have survived floods, wars, and many changes. When I thought about a hero, I wasn’t thinking about someone strong and famous. I was thinking about someone who can be strong in any environment and someone who is not very well known. That is why I chose the crocodile.
Making this film taught me that heroes do not always fight—some simply endure what the world throws at them. Cambodia has a difficult history, but it is also full of beauty, culture, and kindness. I hope for peace, because this is my home. I want my generation to grow up protecting nature and culture, understanding one another, and telling stories that matter.
Thank you to my family and to everyone who supported me. Thank you again for listening to my story.”
Kevin
Finally, Kevin, a participant in the MY HERO Media Education Program at Ascot Avenue Elementary, accepted his award for his film Mario Molina: “I just want to say that I’m very happy. Thank you. And thank you to my teachers, Ms. Dawson and Mr. Aaron and to everyone who helped me. Thank you to the MY HERO Project for giving me this opportunity.”
PART TWO - MY HERO International Film Festival's Virtual Awards Ceremony
Please join us online, Saturday, January 10, 2026, as the MY HERO International Film Festival announces and celebrates more winning filmmakers from the 2025 festival. Special Award categories include the Relationships First Award, presented by the Foundation for the Contemporary Family, the Animation Awards, presented by Wacom, the Mattie Stepanek Poetry Prize, the People's Choice Award, the Community Heroes Award and more.
Location: Virtual event
Date and time: Sat, Jan 10, 2026 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM PT
The MY HERO International Film Festival celebrates the power of media to inspire compassion, understanding, and action, while uplifting young voices committed to telling stories that matter.
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.
Page created on 12/18/2025 3:13:22 PM
Last edited 12/18/2025 3:30:28 PM
