The International Day of Families was established by the United Nations in 1993 as a way to raise awareness of issues faced by families throughout the world and highlight the important role that families hold in communities.
The UN also uses the International Day of Families as a way to recognize that family structures have undergone many changes due to social, economical and demographic factors. The International Day of Families is a day to celebrate all types of families.
The theme for 2025 is: 'Family-Oriented Policies for Sustainable Development: Towards the Second World Summit for Social Development.'
Special MY HERO Mentions
Dr. Joan Wicks: Scholar, Teacher, Parent and Athlete
By: Shannon Luders-Manuel
Dr. Joan Wicks is an educator, athlete, and the mother of Amanda and Gabrielle Gorman.
My Son, Mattie J. T. Stepanek
By: Jeni Stepanek
Rejoice with your family in the beautiful land of life! ~Albert Einstein
Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family. Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one. ~Jane Howard
What can you do to promote world peace? Go home and love your family. ~Mother Teresa
Enter your film about family to our Film Festival - click the image below to find out more
2024 iff cfe relatrionships new
Credit: myhero
Relationships First Award Sizzle
By: Michael Gankin
Learn all about the Relationships First Award in the MY HERO International Film Festival.
Film
A Love Letter to My Mother : An Environmental Short Film
Emily Le
Mother Nature has given up so much for our welfare, but how are we repaying her?
My Dad is a Legal Resident
Produced by:Brenda Perez
Julieta shares a very personal story about a big event for her family!
Down the Road [excerpt]
By: Care Dorghalli
Woody and Luna generously help people in need after the Paradise fire.
Daddy Will You Hold My Hand?
Produced by:Paul McClure
For fathers all over the world - how our lives are changed forever and for the better on becoming a father.
A Letter to my Dad
Brock Brenner
A film created to capture the milestones between a father and a young son.
I Have Four Parents
Daniel Roy
This video is a magical rendition of the story of my very unique four-parent family. Everything I talk about in the video is true, and these are the answers to the questions I most commonly get asked.
2021 IFF Special Hero Climate Activist Award | Slater Jewell-Kemker and Wendy Jewell
Slater Jewell-Kemker
Slater Jewell-Kemker and Wendy Jewell accept the Special Hero: Climate Activist Award at the 2021 MY HERO International Film Festival.
Moms Made Manhattan
Produced by:Video edited by Katie Graubart- myheroproject.org
Adapted from "New York and How it Got That Way," a history tour of Manhattan created by Ina Lee Selden. Video edited by Katie Graubart- myheroproject.org
2021 Global Educator Award - Frances Moore Lappé & Anna Blythe Lappé
Produced by:The MY HERO Project
Learn about Frances Moore Lappé & Anna Blythe Lappé in this video celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Book Diet for a Small Planet.
Conversations With My Mother
Tsering Wangmo
I try to capture the simplicity of her life and the warmth that she provides to her family.
Sheri
Produced by:Rebecca Stern
In this film, Rebecca Stern reads a letter to her mom and talks about a special memory they shared.
Two Weeks
Producer: Lori Nelson
Parenthood is not as easy as it seems.
The Light Tower
Producer: Po Chou Chi
This story honors parents who support their children to make their dreams come true.
Stories about Family
Esme Tran
By: Naomi Gledhill
Esme Tran wins MY HERO art contest.
Kitty Richardson
By: Abigail Richardson
My Grandpa
By: Brianna Rasmussen
Brianna's grandpa is helping out around the house while she and her brother are home due to COVID-19.
Frances Moore Lappé’s Diet for a Small Planet Celebrates 50th Anniversary
By: Deborah Neff, MY HERO Staff writer
Frances Moore Lappé’s Diet for a Small Planet Celebrates 50th Anniversary with new edition.
Marianne
By: Laura Nietzer
Laura's hero is her sister-in-law Marianne, a nurse who is helping patients with the coronavirus.
Dan & Amy Eldon
By: Kathy Eldon
Dan & Amy Eldon are not only Kathy Eldon's children; they are also her heroes.
Grandma Herring
By: Kaila Herring
A Boomer grandmother teaches her Gen Z granddaughter simple pleasures.
Mansour Azimipour
By: Sara Azimipour
Sara Azimipour's hero is her father, Mansour Azimipour, who began making money for his family in Iran at age 9.
Breaking the Silence
By: Nella Virga
Nella Virga advocated for a cochlear implant for her daughter, who became the first child under the age of two to receive one.
Aaron John David
By: Mary Joy
Mary Joy's hero is her brother, who provides a good example to follow.
MacGillivray Family
MacGillivray Family
founded the non-profit MacGillivray Freeman Films Educational Foundation.
Denise Buchner
By: Oliver from Redwood Meadows
Denise Buchner
is a hero to her son, Oliver, because she helps people in Third World countries.
Catherine Malonza
By: Keegan Malonza from San Marcos
Catherine Malonza
saved her brother's life.
Derwin and Tori
By: Ian from Woodland Hills
Derwin and Tori
gave Ian, and other kids, a chance at a better life.
Malick Seck
By: Seck from Dakar
Malick Seck
is respected by his community and family for his humanitarian works, and his wisdom and dedication.
Budi and Peggy Soehardi Roslin Orphanage
By: Wendy Jewell and David Kemker
Budi and Peggy Soehardi Roslin Orphanage provides a loving home to care for displaced and orphaned children in East Timor.
Art
Connecting Roads
By: Lillian Conroy
My brother
By: Esme Tran
My lovely sister
By: Jawhar Lamine
My Wonderful Mom
By: Khloe Liu
My Mom & Grandpa
By: Makenna Elgersma
Family Hero : Joneice by Doug Miller
By: Doug Miller
Happy mother
By: Assiatou Ngom from Senegal
The Road Was Paved By Us
By: Michael Mahue Moore
Raking Leaves
By: Doug Miller
Love of a Father
By: Hutton McKenna
My Brother Ebbie
By: Ashlee Cohen of Taft High School
Celebrating friends of MY HERO, the Minallah sisters:
A Very Special Mural
Produced by:Fauzia Minallah
The best things in life are made from the heart.
Pakistan - Art Miles Mural -design Fauzia Minallah
By: Fauzia Minallah
The mural ' Multi religious harmony' is designed by a Pakistani artist and peace activist, Fauzia Minallah. All the shapes were cut out from different colored cotton cloth. These pieces were put together like a jigsaw puzzle with christian children in a shanty town of Islamabad. Fauzia Minallah gave this statement to MY HERO regarding the MURAL. "Through this simple art activity I as someone from majority religion of Pakistan I wanted the kids from marginalized minority to know that I respect all religions".
Fauzia Minallah
By: Joanne Tawfilis
Fauzia Minallah is the founder of Funkor Childart Centre, a filmmaker and an ARTIVIST.
Samar Minallah Khan
By: Abigail Richardson
Samar is a filmmaker, anthropologist and activist. In the media, she has been referred to as ‘The Savior of Souls,’ one of the ‘Women who rock the world,’ ‘The Crusader with the Camera’ and the ‘Women that changed Pakistan.’
OutSwing [Trailer]
Samar Minallah Khan
On the outskirts of Islamabad, a committed coach teaches a team of unlikely players, their families, and a community how playing Cricket can change lives.
Samar Minallah Khan, Documentary Filmmaker and Human Rights Activist
International Day of Families