The MY HERO Project hosted their 20th Annual International Film Festival Awards Ceremony on November 16th, 2024 at the Ann & Jerry Moss Theater at New Roads School in Santa Monica. The ceremony was hosted Gabrielle Gorman, a human rights advocate and friend of MY HERO, and featured performances from Sozi and Stu Pearlman and Friends.
American author, global educator, vice chair of the Creative Commons board of directors, and long-time friend of MY HERO Esther "Woj" Wojcicki attended to celebrate the four winners of the 2024 WOJ Youth Reporter Award, which is presented by Wojcicki at the Film Festival Awards Ceremony each year. The award celebrates youth reporters who are creating videos on heroes making a positive difference in their community and the world.
Myron McClure Photography/The MY HERO ProjectEsther Wojcicki gives a speech at the MY HERO Film Festival Awards ceremony, November 16th, 2024.
This year, there were four recipients of the award: When the Devil Smoked in Paradise by Katherine Liao (High School Documentary), System Failure by Robert Munic (High School Narrative), Sustainability? By Finn Dewitt (Middle School Documentary), and Joy Buolamwini by Abbigail Mira (Elementary School Documentary). Read more about each of the four winning films here.
Both Katherine Liao and Abbigail Mira were able to attend the ceremony to accept their awards, along with Ascot Avenue Elementary Principal Dr. Gustavo Ortiz and MY HERO Media Arts expert Frank Guttler; both were a part the MY HERO Media Arts Education program at Ascot Elementary, where Mira created her film. Both Guttler and Dr. Ortiz spoke about the need for organizations like MY HERO. Said Dr. Ortiz:
MY HERO brings an opportunity for children like Abigail to see hope. Especially after last week, you know, to see that that they could be the next president. I feel like MY HERO is needed today more than ever, not only in L.A. and the United States, but all over the world. Right? We need real life heroes to be in the schools and in our neighborhoods.
(From left to right) Abbigail Mira, Frank Guttler, and Dr. Ortiz receiving their awards at the MY HERO Film Festival ceremony on November 16th.Myron McClure Photography/The MY HERO Project
Finn Dewitt was unable to attend, but sent in a pre-recorded message in which he thanked both The MY HERO Project and The Sustainability Lab.
Wojcicki made a speech before the WOJ Awards were presented, in which she outlined her journey as a global educator focused on empowering young people. When she first began teaching, Wojcicki created a program for students to collaborate on a student newspaper. Over the years, as the program grew, Wojcicki added more and more publications and classes to the program until it became one of the largest media student programs in the world. “I'm trying to empower as many [kids] as possible,” Wojcicki explained, adding, “I want to give these kids a voice and I think video is really the way to do it. It teaches kids to think, teaches them to use digital tools… Video is the 21st century.” On the MY HERO Film Festival, Wojcicki said:
I've been really inspired by everything I've seen tonight. You know I came here, I guess probably with a lot of you all feeling the same way, depressed about what's happening in this country and depressed about what's going to happen for our young people. And I must say that I'm so happy I came for this because it gives me so much hope for the future. Thank you to all of you for this amazing presentation. It's just incredible.
Wojcicki also congratulated Katherine Liao, whose film also won the BEST of FEST Award, Dan Eldon Youth Activist Award, and the High School Documentary category:
I want to congratulate everybody and especially this incredible young woman. I could not believe her video. I had to look at it several times: When the Devil Smoked in Paradise. You're amazing and [need to] be recognized for your incredible work. It's incredible. And so, I want to congratulate all these incredible young people again. You're amazing. You're inspiring.
Myron McClure Photography/The MY HERO ProjectEsther Wojcicki invites Katherine Liao to the stage in celebration of her winning film 'When the Devil Smoked in Paradise.'
Find stories about the winning films 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.
MY HERO International Film Festival Highlights
MY HERO will host the 20th Anniversary MY HERO International Film Festival Highlights Ceremony on Wednesday, December 11th at The Rivian South Coast Theater from 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm. The ceremony will include screenings of top awards including When the Devil Smoked in Paradise. You can find out more here. Register here.
Page created on 11/21/2024 9:12:32 PM
Last edited 11/21/2024 11:08:23 PM
