Dear Friends,

As we celebrate World Oceans Day on June 8th, MY HERO is proud to present the winners of the annual Sylvia Earle Ocean Conservation Award, named to honor the pioneering oceanographer Dr. Sylvia Earle. The award, given by the MacGillivray Freeman Films' One World One Ocean campaign, is presented each year as part of the MY HERO International Film Festival. Student and professional filmmakers, whose work highlights the heroes working to protect the world's oceans, are recognized with this special award.

Tess Felix: Portrait Artist

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Co-director Cynthia Abbott and Andrea E. Leland won first place for their short documentary Tess Felix: Portrait Artist. Their film follows Tess Felix, a Bay Area artist who discovered her local beach was covered with plastic debris after a major storm. She began collecting the pieces of plastic — toys, water bottles and lighters — and fashioning into portraits of her eco heroes.

Barbara MacGillilvray, who helped judge the Earle Award, was impressed by the message of the film — "DON'T BUY PLASTIC! I hope a lot of people see it and understand that, 'Every eight minutes, full garbage trucks of plastic are dumped into the ocean.' I know that as I was watching this, I was constantly thinking how can I avoid buying anything in plastic ever again?"

Talia Seidner, from Lane Tech College Prep High School in Chicago, is the high school winner. Her animated, call-to-action short The Plastic Problem, features a song about the problem of plastic in the seas.

The Plastic Problem by Talia Seidner

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Climate Solutions!, directed by Will Moffett of Episcopal School in Florida is the middle school winner. His short documentary follows a group of young people as they create manmade coral "trees" for the Coral Restoration Foundation, to help restore coral reefs in Key Largo and around the world.

Climate Solutions! by Will Moffett

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Since 1995, MY HERO has promoted the use of media, art and technology to celebrate the best of humanity. The MY HERO website provides a safe venue for people around the world to discover and share stories of diverse heroes from all walks of life.

Through stories, art, music and short films, MY HERO CONTESTS amplify the voices of people making a difference in their communities and beyond. Our contests promote creative self-expression and media arts education and literacy for students, professional and life learners.

Check out the recent finalists and winners of this year's Shetterly Portrait Contest!

Share your hero films with our global audience and compete for cash prizes!

Final deadline - September 1, 2025

Submissions are being accepted for the 2025 MY HERO International Film Festival, which brings together filmmakers, of all levels of experience, to celebrate local and global heroes working for positive change in the world. 

Prizes are awarded to elementary, middle school, high school, college and professionals working in documentary, narrative, music video, animation, experimental films, and more. View previous winners online.

Submission fees are waived for students. Email myhero@myheroproject to receive the code.

The MY HERO: Journalism & Filmmaking Workbook is a comprehensive guide to creating hero-themed films. With step-by-step instructions, and essential resources, the workbook simplifies the process of filmmaking and gives storytellers of all ages an opportunity to be heard.

Media arts educators working in schools, and after-school and summer programs, are invited to download a free digital copy of this workbook. To request your free download of the workbook, email jeanne@myheroproject.org.

The workbook, funded by the Scripps Family Impact Fund, is designed to encourage young people to create short films for the MY HERO International Film Festival and the WOJ Youth Reporter Award, given by esteemed educator and author Esther Wojcicki.

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