MY HERO CELEBRATES 30 YEARS WITH FILMS AND MUSIC AT RIVIAN THEATER

MY HERO CELEBRATES 30 YEARS WITH FILMS AND MUSIC AT LAGUNA'S RIVIAN THEATER

SEPTEMBER 25, 2025 - LAGUNA BEACH, CA – The MY HERO Project celebrated its 30th Anniversary at the Rivian South Coast Theater. Families, students, and longtime supporters filled the seats to watch films, hear music, and honor three decades of storytelling.

Mohamed Sidibay, Interim Director of The MY HERO Project, opened the evening with a reminder:
“For 30 years, MY HERO has shown that stories change lives. When young people see their voices valued and their heroes celebrated, they find the courage to shape a better world.”

Mohamed Sidibay welcomes the audienceMY HERO 

Co-founder Jeanne Meyers welcomed guest speaker Esther Wojcicki, the educator and journalism advocate who co-created the MY HERO Journalism and Filmmaking Workbook. Wojcicki spoke about the powerful learning that takes place when students work together on a film:

“The most effective is when you work together with another student on a project that you personally are interested in. It’s called peer to pear learning and that’s what this book teaches. We’re trying to help kids be as empowered as possible, feel as good about themselves as possible.”

Esther Wojcicki tells the crowd about the "MY HERO Journalism & Filmmaking Workbook"MY HERO 

The program included the premiere of Reel Heroes: Student Films and Filmmakers, a 30-minute documentary featuring award-winning student work from the MY HERO International Film Festival. Audiences also saw short films honoring local heroes. 

Dee Perry, longtime Laguna educator and school district board president, reflected:
“…having two wonderful former students, more than a decade apart, come together for a film— I was so proud and touched by both of my amazing boys!”

British reggae artists Pato Banton and Antoinette Rootsdawtah closed with Love is the Greatest Thing. MY HERO staff, teachers, and interns joined them on stage, lifting a mural of children of all faiths painted by Pakistani artist Fauzia Minellah. The crowd rose to its feet in applause.

British reggae artists Pato Banton and Antoinette Rootsdawtah perform at the eventMY HERO

About The MY HERO Project

Community support makes evenings like this possible and helps ensure the next generation of storytellers and changemakers have a platform. The MY HERO Project is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to celebrating unsung heroes through stories, art, music, and film. For 30 years, MY HERO has provided free media arts tools and curriculum that are now used in 197 countries and all 50 states. Learn more at myhero.com.