Dear Friends,

We hope you will continue to share and discover stories of hope and inspiration with our global learning community.

MY HERO, has wrapped up a productive school year and is gearing up to expand our media arts education programs in more classrooms and summer programs.

Please enjoy this newsletter, which we hope sparks ideas to help you and your students celebrate the world's heroes through stories, art, music, and short films.

Best wishes,

The MY HERO team

Saint George Thompson

MY HERO Media Arts Educator

This month, MY HERO takes part in the International Society for Technology Conference in San Antonio, Texas, from June 29 - July 2.

MY HERO Media Arts Educator Saint George Thompson will be at ISTE to present Discover, Create, and Share Positive Media - Celebrating Diverse Heroes Around the World. His talk will take place on Tuesday, July 1, at 10:30am - noon (CDT) at:

Discover, Create, and Share Positive Media - ISTE Poster Session

Media Arts Award Ceremony at Ascot Avenue Elementary

MY HERO Media Arts Educator Santos Herrera, USC Intern Jules Crawford and film teacher Frank Guttler returned to Ascot Avenue Elementary, in Los Angeles, to lead filmmaking workshops this year. Students used media and technology to tell stories about past and present heroes in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM).

This spring, MY HERO participated in the LAUSD STEAMFest with students at Ascot. The event took place at the Discovery Cube and Los Angeles High School.

MY HERO media arts workshops provide students with the fundamentals of making a short, hero-themed film. Sessions can culminate with a screening and awards ceremony for peers and families. Students are encouraged to submit completed films to the MY HERO International Film Festival.

The pilot program was initially funded by the Max Factor Family Foundation. The program continues with support from the Scripps Family Impact Fund and LAUSD.

"Ascot Elementary demonstrates the importance of film and media education in school," said Jules Crawford, a USC intern working with MY HERO at Ascot. "We give the kids the tools they need to navigate the internet and media, to better understand the digital content environment that they're growing up in. We teach film to help them learn how to dream and have confidence in themselves."

The MY HERO: Journalism & Filmmaking Workbook is a user-friendly textbook designed to take the mystery out of documentary filmmaking. With step-by-step instructions, and essential resources, the workbook details the process of filmmaking and gives storytellers of all ages a chance to tell their stories.

The book includes a foreword by global educator Esther Wojcicki, who explains how creating short hero-themed films is an excellent way to build critical thinking skills and boost confidence. Esther supports the MY HERO International Film Festival each year through the WOJ Youth Reporter Award, given to young filmmakers for their outstanding short films.

The workbook and complimentary video, funded by the Scripps Family Impact Fund, are designed to encourage young people to create their own short inspiring short films.

Media arts educators are invited to download a free digital copy of this workbook. To request your free download, email jeanne@myheroproject.org

Order your PRINT Copy on Amazon

Order your digital copy through the MY HERO Store

The MY HERO: Journalism & Filmmaking Workbook is being used in classrooms, after school programs and summer camps including:

The Annenberg Youth Academy for Media and Civic Engagement, which is part of the USC Annenberg School of Communication and Journalism.

Lincoln High School, in Los Angeles, will be integrating the MY HERO workbook into their film production courses.

The Anaheim School District has purchased the workbook to implement into their high school production classes.

At the Skirball Charter School, teacher Joan Wicks will use the workbook in her middle school classroom.

Kids in the Spotlight, a nonprofit that empowers foster youth through filmmaking, will also be using the book during their documentary workshops.

All hero-themed student films will be eligible for consideration for the WOJ Youth Reporter Award at the MY HERO International Film Festival.

View winning films from our library to inspire your students 

and show them the possibilities of making short films.

Browse MY HERO's Media Arts Education portal to learn more.

If you are interested in a MY HERO Workshop for your students, 

email media@myheroproject.org

A big thank you to this year's MY HERO International Film Festival interns, who have helped us throughout the year!

"We are so grateful to our interns," said coordinator Rachel Priebe, Assistant Director of the MY HERO International Film Festival and Media Arts Education Programs. "Interns from all over the country help support MY HERO’s website and film festival, while learning media arts skills and developing their portfolios. Our 2025 interns have been integral to promoting our upcoming film festival and have created exceptional short films, art projects, and content for our social media accounts."

Left to right: top row Ambi Butler - USC, Sam Fredericks - USC

bottom row: Andrew Scibelli - Marist College, Stewart Hvidston - Indiana University, Emily Sedeno - Santa Monica College

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.

Learn how you and your students can take part and compete for awards and pr aizes

The Ron Kovic Peace Prize is given annually at the MY HERO International Film Festival by artist and peace activist Ron Kovic. Kovic, a former United States Marine Corps sergeant, was wounded in the Vietnam War. His biography became the award-winning film, "Born on the Fourth of July." He inspired songs, including, "Born in the USA" and "Shut Out the Lights," by his friend Bruce Springsteen.

Ron Kovic by MY HERO

The Kovic Peace Prize comes with $1,000 in cash prizes and, is open to student, amateur and professional filmmakers whose short films reflect a theme of peace.

The deadline for submissions is September 1, 2025.

Submission fees are waived for students.

To receive your code, email myhero@myheroproject

Esteemed educator Esther Wojcicki presents the WOJ Youth Reporter Award at the MY HERO International Film Festival. All filmmakers in middle school and high school are encouraged to apply.

Submission fees are waived for students.

To receive the waiver code, email myhero@myheroproject.org

Share your hero films — compete for prizes!

Final deadline - September 1, 2025

The MY HERO International Film Festival 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.

Submission fees are waived for students.

To receive your waiver code, email myhero@myheroproject

View previous winning films online.

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

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.