Dear Friends,

The MY HERO International Film Festival is calling for filmmakers of all ages to share their inspiring short films with our global audience. Awards are given for outstanding documentaries, narrative films, music videos, animated shorts and experimental films. 

Thanks to our generous donors and prize sponsors, professional filmmakers and students in elementary, middle school, high school and college, receive awards for outstanding short films. Click here for Sponsorship Information.

For consideration in our 21st Annual Film Festival we will be accepting submissions of short films 10 minutes and under until October 1, 2025. Submissions must be made online via FilmFreeway. 

Fees are waived for all students. For a code, email media@myheroproject.org.

The festival celebrates diversity, environmental stewardship, and films that honor those working for social justice, peace and human rights. We seek uplifting family friendly content and will not accept work that promotes hatred, violence, racism or sexism.

Click here to view and share our print flyers for the festival and special awards

We welcome your participation in this global celebration. Read on to learn more.

Best wishes,

The MY HERO team



The Ron Kovic Peace Prize is given by the New York Times best-selling author, artist and peace activist. Ron Kovic, a decorated marine who was paralyzed from the waist down during combat on his second tour of duty during the Vietnam War. He has gone on to become a leading voice for peace in the world. His autobiography, Born on the Fourth of July became an Academy Award-winning film, directed by Oliver Stone and starring Tom Cruise. Bruce Springsteen credits Kovic for inspiring his songs "Born in the USA" and "Shut Out the Lights." The Kovic Peace Prize is open to students, amateurs and professional filmmakers whose short films shine a light on those working for peace.

Esteemed global educator Esther Wojcicki presents the WOJ Youth Reporter Award at the festival. The annual award was created to inspire students to create short films that showcase heroes in their communities. All student filmmakers are encouraged to apply.

The Eva Haller Women Transforming Media Award celebrates women creating positive change in the world. This prestigious award is sponsored by activist, philanthropist, and mentor Eva Haller.

Dan Eldon was a fearless activist, artist, and photojournalist who dedicated his life to helping those in need by sharing their stories. Each year, his mother Kathy Eldon and sister Amy Eldon Turteltaub present the Dan Eldon Activist Award to filmmakers who use their craft to raise awareness and create positive change.

The Immersive Storytelling Award celebrates innovative and immersive content creators who push the boundaries and tell stories that matter, using VR, animation, or other cutting-edge mediums.

Sponsored by the Foundation for the Contemporary Family, the Relationships First Award celebrates short films that explore and illuminate the powerful and poignant connections within any type of contemporary family relationship.

For the Sing for Hope Music Video Award, we invite filmmakers to celebrate unsung heroes in their communities, and around the globe, through song. This award is given in partnership with the nonprofit Sing For Hope and board member Eva Haller.

The Mattie Stepanek Poetic Film Prize  is given by Mattie's mother Jeni Stepanek to celebrate the power of poetic storytelling and filmmaking to uplift and inspire.

Young Mattie was a wise young soul. In his short but spectacular life his poetry touched the lives of millions of people around the world including Oprah and Jimmy Carter. Students and professional filmmakers are invited to explore this genre and to give vision to their voice with this special award.

Participate in The MY HERO Film Festival by voting with your students for their favorite film this fall. Each year our team curates a special slate of finalists short films for the People's Choice Award. The films take approximately 30 minutes to screen and can be viewed during a class period. This is a great way to introduce students to a discussion on what makes a hero and what makes a good short film.

Check out our Teacher's Guide to Online Voting in the Classroom.

We hope that this will get students to think about the kind of stories they would like to share for next year's festival.

For 30 years, MY HERO has championed the use of media, art and technology to celebrate the best of humanity. MY HERO CONTESTS for stories, poetry, art, music and short films promote creative self-expression and media literacy for students and life learners.



Learn how you and your students can take part.

Enjoy a FREE download of our new MY HERO Journalism and Filmmaking Workbook to help those students interested in making their own short hero films. The MY HERO Journalism & Filmmaking Workbook, is a user-friendly textbook designed to take the mystery out of documentary filmmaking. The book written by Jonan Steinhart includes a foreword by renowned educator Esther Wojcicki, who explains how creating short films is an excellent way to build critical thinking skills and boost confidence. 

To download a Free Digital Copy, click this link: MY HERO Journalism & Filmmaking Workbook - Go to checkout: Scroll down to the bottom of the payment page and enter the discount code: 2025Workbook!

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.

Order your PRINT Copy on Amazon

Order your digital copy through the MY HERO Store

We need and value your support for The MY HERO Project so we can continue to provide our free educational resources to millions of teachers, students and families around the world.

Help support MY HERO's global learning community.