MY HERO Search for Youth Reporters

Dear Friends,

We are seeking student reporters, poets and artists to honor and celebrate unsung heroes. Please find, within this newsletter, some exciting opportunities available to students of media, journalism, and art.

Sincerely,

The MY HERO Team

Middle and High School Students are invited to apply for a mentoring opportunity with The MY HERO Project! Our team will help youth create videos of those working for positive change in their communities. Selected videos will be included in the documentary project: The MY HERO Report - Youth Edition.

There are two ways to apply for the Youth Journalist Mentor Program:

Write an Essay about your hero.

Make a short film about your hero.

The MY HERO Student Reporter Essay Contest is open to middle school and high school students who have a passion for storytelling and a desire to uplift those who embody the values of courage, kindness, and resilience. Essays can celebrate local and global heroes, who've had a a positive impact in their community. Deadline for essay submissions is June 1st.

For students choosing to submit a short film, entries must be 10 minutes or less. Videos created for this program will also be considered for the WOJ Youth Reporter Award in the MY HERO International Film Festival.

Esteemed educator and author Esther Wojcicki sponsors the annual 'WOJ' Youth Reporter Award, which comes with $2,000 in cash prizes. The award celebrates student reporters, whose short films showcase heroes making a positive difference in their communities and the world. Deadline September 1st.

Mattie Stepanek Poetic Contest

The Mattie J.T. Stepanek Poetry Award is named for the late poet and peace activist who encouraged everyone to sing the songs in their hearts. It's open to poets, artists, filmmakers and spoken word artists. The submission deadline is June 1st.

Robert Shetterly Portrait Contest

The Robert Shetterly Portrait Contest, is named for the artist, activist and founder of Americans Who Tell the Truth. Submit your artwork by May 15th.

MY HERO International Film Festival

Submit your film

Submit your film to the 20th Annual MY HERO International Film Festival. Prizes are awarded to elementary, middle school, high school, college and professionals in a variety of categories — documentary, narrative, music video, animation, experimental, and more. The final deadline for all festival films is September 1st.

The final submission deadline is September 1, 2024, via FilmFreeway.

The submission fee is waived for students through our Student Submission Form.

Sponsorship opportunities are available. Inquire here

All winning films can be viewed online. Click here to learn about Special Awards.

Free Media Arts Resources

Check out MY HERO's free Media Arts Resources to help students create their own inspiring films.

Media Rich Lesson Plans and Resources

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Help support MY HERO's global learning community.

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.