Noah Berlow: Winner of the People’s Choice Award 2024

Act As If…, a short documentary directed by Noah Berlow, is the winner of the 2024 People’s Choice Award as well as joint second in the Humanitarian category at the MY HERO 20^th Annual International Film Festival. The film outlines the work of The Illumination Foundation a non-profit organization based in Orange County, California, dedicated to breaking the cycle of homelessness. Watch Act As If… here.

The window of an Illumination Foundation center. Taken from Noah Berlow's 'Act As If...'

MY HERO had the opportunity to interview Director Noah Berlow to find out more about his film.

What are you doing now?

I’ve never liked putting labels on myself, but when I’m asked what I do, the term I feel most comfortable identifying as is a social impact filmmaker. My career as a filmmaker is not just about telling stories for entertainment, but about using cinema as a tool for activism, to plant seeds of consciousness which hopefully will lead others to action. Right now, I’m fully immersed in social impact documentaries that focus on human rights, homelessness, and marginalized communities. I’ve found my purpose at the intersection of filmmaking and advocacy, where every project is an opportunity to drive positive social change. I believe that art can—and should—be a catalyst for conversations that lead to tangible, societal progress—even at risk of being controversial.

How long have you been making films? Have you made any others and, if so, what are they?

I’ve been making films since I was teenager –I wrote my first screenplay immediately after the school shooting tragedy at Columbine while I was in high school and began shooting it immediately after to help spark a conversation amongst my classmates about why such a tragedy would happen. Eventually my focus shifted to documentary work, specifically interviewing Holocaust survivors and eventually working at Steven Spielberg’s Survivors of the Shoah Visual History Foundation. Over the last decade, I’ve had the privilege of working on over 500 projects that span across entertainment and social impact cinema. Some of my recent works include WHO WE ARE, a documentary that won the Portrait of an Organization Award at the MY HERO International Film Festival in 2022, and ACT AS IF, which delves into homelessness in California. Each film has been a stepping stone towards creating a body of work that reflects not just my journey as a filmmaker, but my intention to create cinema that will live beyond my lifetime.

Why were you drawn to making this film?

I was drawn to create ACT AS IF after previously working with the Illumination Foundation on a couple other films about the work they are doing which helped to support their mission. The film features families and individuals who are struggling not just with housing, but with the negative effects of trauma and adverse childhood experiences. We were able to highlight the ground-breaking work that IF is doing to disrupt the cycle of homelessness, through the life changing solutions their organization provides. ACT AS IF remind us that we are all responsible for the world we live in, and it encourages other organizations and communities across the nation to look up to IF as a national model to solve this crisis.

How did the idea for the film arise?

Inspiration for each film project always seems to come in unexpected ways. For ACT AS IF, I was browsing a crystal shop in downtown Palm Springs when I came across a greeting card featuring the words 'Act As If' and I instantly knew that they would be the title of my next film. I bought the card, and it still stands on my office desk today. The goal wasn’t only to shed light on the issue, but to highlight a path that requires all of us to take responsibility and 'act as if' the future depends on it. More than anything, I hope this film inspires other communities and organizations across the nation to follow the model Illumination Foundation has created, because I truly believe they’ve found a solution to the homelessness crisis.

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

ACT AS IF puts a human face on an issue that is often reduced to statistics and stereotypes. The strength of the film lies on its focus on real, practical solutions that we encourage other communities to model. The Illumination Foundation's work serves as a powerful example of how the combination of housing and healthcare can transform lives.

By showcasing these success stories, we hope to inspire viewers to see that change is possible and that they can be part of that change. The film is a call to action, urging everyone to "act as if" the responsibility to create a better society rests on each of us. We want the film to lead others to action, whether that's volunteering, advocating for policy changes, or simply approaching the issue with more compassion and understanding.

Who was on the team? Who produced the film?

This film was produced by Immortal Cinema International, a production company I co-founded with a mission to create films that leave a lasting social impact beyond our lifetime. We partnered with Veterans in Cinema Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charity dedicated to employing U.S. Military Veterans in film projects. Everyone involved shared the same vision: to give these stories the platform they deserved.

The strength of this film lies in the collective passion and talent of an extraordinary team. Our dedicated producers, including Szilva Vecserdy, Ian Lococo, Arman Bryant, Amelia Iacobelli and Aryn Free Kelly (who also co-wrote the film with me), brought vision and commitment to every step of the journey. Our cinematographers—Lucas Preti, Bryan Tanori, and Sarah Anderson—constantly pushed to capture not just beautiful visuals, but the raw, real emotions at the heart of the story.

The film’s powerful soundscape is a testament to the exceptional work of our sound and music team. Composers Chris Landon and Szilva Vecserdy poured their talent and emotion into the music and score, while Tony Crowe of Crowe Audio provided a world-class sound mix that elevates every moment on screen. Our team combined our passion and unique talents to create a film that we hope will genuinely move and inspire those who watch it.

What was it like for you making this film? What were some of the challenges, successes, and high points?

As a filmmaker, there’s a delicate line between documenting someone’s suffering and unintentionally exploiting it, so we were consistently mindful of preserving the dignity of those whose stories we were telling. One of the most effective ways we achieved this was by prioritizing the music creation process before production. With a beautifully crafted score by Chris Landon & Szilva Vecserdy developed during preproduction, we were able to play this music on set before we began the interviews, allowing participants to connect with their emotions naturally before the interview even began. This approach helped us capture authentic, unscripted moments, encouraging our subjects to feel at ease and open up without feeling pressured to relive their trauma in an uncomfortable way.

The film’s greatest success has been its ability to inspire action—viewers are moved to contribute, volunteer, and take steps to make a difference. The film fosters a sense of shared responsibility, urging audiences to respond with compassion and support, as they would for their own neighbors or family members.

What most inspired you about The Illumination Foundation?

What inspired me most about the Illumination Foundation is their commitment to creating sustainable solutions to homelessness. Their dedication goes beyond providing temporary shelter—they focus on long-term transformation, offering healthcare, mental health support, job training, and more, all of which empower people to regain their independence.

I’ve seen firsthand the impact of their work, especially at fundraising events where the films we’ve made have been shown to audiences who are moved by the stories. It’s humbling to witness how these films—by telling the stories of those affected by homelessness—have translated directly into tangible resources that enable change. The most rewarding part for me as a filmmaker is knowing that the work we’re doing not only raises awareness but also makes a real difference in the lives of those who need it most.

After these events, I often immediately begin working on documenting new stories from those who have benefited from the services—whether that’s a family now housed in a new emergency shelter or a person who's started a new chapter in their life. The Illumination Foundation's transformative approach is a powerful testament to the profound impact achievable when dedication, strategic resources, and meaningful opportunities converge. It underscores that we have the collective capacity to disrupt—and ultimately end—the cycle of homelessness, provided we 'act as if' the responsibility rests with each of us.

Do you have a mentor or a personal hero?

My career as a social impact filmmaker was greatly influenced by my late mentor, Patty Zimmermann. She encouraged me never to shy away from topics that might be considered controversial. I still remember her telling me, "Without controversy, there cannot be change." Patty taught me that it's uncomfortable conversations where real growth happens. Her wisdom gave me the courage to tackle challenging subjects head-on, understanding that provoking thought and dialogue is a crucial step toward creating a more just and compassionate society. 

About The Illumination Foundation

The Illumination Foundation (IF) is a non-profit organization based in Orange County, California, dedicated to breaking the cycle of homelessness. Founded in 2007 by Paul Leon and Paul Cho, the IF adopts a holistic approach to solving homelessness by addressing the interconnectedness between housing and healthcare. By doing so, the IF aims to implement sustainable strategies that will help those experiencing homelessness in the long term, rather than just the immediate future.

Read more about The Illumination Foundation here.  

Explore The Illumination Foundation site here.

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.

Join us in celebrating 20 years of The MY HERO International Film Festival on November 16, 6pm @ the Ann and Jerry Moss Theater at New Roads School in Santa Monica, California. Find out more HERE.