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Dear Friends,
This spring, we have many opportunities for you and your students to explore stories, art, and short films that celebrate heroes from all walks of life.
Our calendar, with 365 days of heroes, offers curated content, stories, art and films, to spark discussions on the theme of heroism in your homes and classrooms.
Check out our current film and poetry contests.
Read on to find ways you can get involved with our Global Learning Community. Thank you for your ongoing participation and support. Please share our resources with teachers and students that you know.
Sincerely,
The MY HERO Team
| | Calendar and Lesson Plans | | MY HERO Film Festival 2026 | | A Blueprint for Creating Inspiring Short Films | | A Heartfelt Thank You from a Youth Reporter | | |
Wilbroad Kiiza, a student in Uganda participated in the 2025 Film Festival, won the High School Portrait of an Organization award for his first film My Hero Ubuntu International. This spring, MY HERO sent a media kit and workbook to support Wilboard's future films. Thanks to Pato Banton and Antoinette Rootsdawtah for their support of The MY HERO International Film Festival and for bringing our resources to Uganda.
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Students - Win Prizes for Your
Short, Hero-themed Films
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Student reporters of all ages are invited to share their short, journalistic films on the theme of heroism. Cash prizes of up to $2,000 are awarded to short, journalistic films.
This award, presented by Global Educator Esther Wojcicki, (WOJ), celebrates elementary, middle, high school, and college students for their creativity and voice in highlighting everyday heroes working for positive change. Details here
| | Join us in Celebrating Eva Haller's 96th Birthday | | |
Join us online for a Special Salon, Saturday, May 9th, celebrating activist, philanthropist, and mentor Eva Haller on her 96th birthday. The celebration is part of Eva Haller's ongoing Salon Series, which brings together scholars, artists, scientists and journalists.
For an invitation to the event, email jeanne@myheroproject.org.
To view past salons, click here.
| | Congratulations Shetterly Contest Winners | | |
My Sister - by Christiana Williams
Overall winner and 1st Place H.S.
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My Grandpa - by Caelyn Kim
1st Place Middle School
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Frida Kahlo - by Samantha You
1st Place Elementary School
| | Poetry Peace Through Arts Contest 6/1 | | |
MY HERO, in partnership with the Mattie J.P. Stepanek Peace Foundation, invite poets, artists, filmmakers, and spoken word artists to share their “heart song” about the local or global heroes working for peace, human rights, and the environment.
View contest requirements.
View All MY HERO Contests
| | Join Us June 6th at Rivian Laguna
to Celebrate Ocean Heroes | | |
Join MY HERO, on June 6th, for a World Oceans Day celebration. We will honor local heroes and showcase the winning short films of the 2026 Sylvia Earle Ocean Conservation Award.
Greg and Barbara MacGillivray present this annual award as part of the MY HERO International Film Festival. They will be in Laguna Beach to honor this year's winners.
Their company, MacGillivray Freeman Films has been producing award-winning IMAX films for more than 50 years. Their work often focuses on ocean conservation and the beauty of ocean life.
Filmmakers and local ocean-minded nonprofit organizations will be recognized for their work in protecting our oceans.
Thanks to Rivian South Coast Theater, and the Coast Music and Film Festival, for their support for this special event.
Reservation are required.
Reserve your place HERE.
Saturday, June 6, 2026
Doors open at 6:30pm
Films start at 7:00pm
Rivian South Coast Theater
162 South Coast Highway,
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
| | MYHERO Staffers help students create news segments at the 2026 LAUSD Arts Fest. | | |
The MY HERO International Film Festival & Media Arts Education Programs hosted an interactive “Mock News Studio” experience at the 2026 LAUSD Arts Fest.
Students, families, and educators were invited to take step into the role of an on-air reporter and conduct mock interviews and deliver short news segments in a live studio-style setting.
The hands-on activity demonstrated how media tools can empower students to tell stories, build confidence on camera, and engage with creative media arts learning.
| | Media Arts Education Resources | | |
MY HERO staff, and award-winning filmmakers, have helped build MY HERO’s Media Arts Education Resources, which are freely shared online.
MY HERO has conducted Media Arts Education Programs in schools and with community partners around the globe.
Supported by grants from foundations we work virtually, and in classrooms, mentoring young storytellers and teachers, helping them bring hero-themed story telling into literacy, character education, and media classes.
Explore MY HERO's Media Arts Resources
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Check out The MY HERO Blog
We highlight new heroes, share our latest news and contests, feature interviews and excerpts, and respond quickly to current events—creating a dynamic and personal experience.
| | We need your support for The MY HERO Project so we can continue to provide free educational resources to millions of teachers, students, and families around the world. | | Help support MY HERO's global learning community. | | | | |
