Cast Your Vote - Help Us Choose the Winners

The People's Choice and Young Audience films and ballots are a great classroom activity. Each is designed to fit into a single class period, with a runtime of approximately 30 minutes.


Watch a selection of short, hero-themed films with your students and promote discussions of heroism, character and perseverance. Check out our Teacher's Guide to Online Voting in the Classroom.


Each ballot is curated by MY HERO staffers from the finalist films in the 2026 MY HERO International Film Festival. The films were made by students and professional filmmakers of all ages.


The People's Choice Ballot is suited for viewers age 13 and older.


The Young Audience Ballot is tailored to elementary school students. These films are curated with younger viewers in mind, and can be enjoyed by people of all ages.


Voting will continue through November 29th. Cast your vote today!


Access the People's Choice Ballot (Total runtime = 30 minutes)


Access the Young Audience Ballot (Total runtime = 29 minutes)


MY HERO International Film Fest - Dec 12/13

Since 2005, the MY HERO International Film Festival has inspired audiences with uplifting, hero-themed films from filmmakers of all ages. Their films tell stories of heroes from all walks of life, from local activists to global change makers.


The festival honors outstanding short films in narrative, documentary, animation, music video and poetic formats. This year, we hope you will join us online, December 12-13, as we celebrate the winning films of 2026.


This year's virtual festival will take place over two days:


December 12, 2026 - 2pm - 3 pm PST

December 13, 2026 - 12pm - 2pm PST


Email media@myheroproject.org for a link.


The festival is part of The MY HERO Project, a nonprofit. 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to enhancing media literacy and cross-cultural understanding, through the sharing of hero-themed stories, music and art.


Many Thanks to Our Generous Prize Sponsors


We are grateful to our prize sponsors for their support of the MY HERO International Film Festival. Their generous donations allow winning filmmakers to earn prizes that help strengthen their craft and support them in their filmmaking journey.



 

MY HERO Special Awards

Past awards presenters - clockwise from top left: Kathy Eldon, Camille Zamora and .Monica Yunus, Ron Kovic, Eva Haller with Jane Goodall.

Special Awards are given, each year, to student and professional filmmakers whose work depicts a specific heroic theme, including Peace, Activism, Youth Reporting, Women Transforming Media, Family Relationships, There are additional awards for outstanding Poetic Films and Music Videos.


Many awards come with cash prizes. Filmmakers of all ages and levels of experience are encouraged to participate.



November Teacher Spotlight

Mendy Kanu - high school teacher - Sierra Leone

Throughout the school year, we shine a spotlight on a teacher who inspires as well as educates. This month, we celebrate Mendy Kanu, a film teacher from Sierra Leone.


"My school music team is currently working on a project titled Girl Child Education," Kanu explains. "It's a powerful song that encourages girls. Here in Africa, especially in my part of the country, some parents believe education is not for girls."


What inspired you to become an educator?


"Lots of things inspired me to become an educator. Growing up in a difficult background, I knew achieving your dreams would be challenging. I promised myself that, if I ever had the opportunity, I would build a school where children could come and learn for free."


How have you used MY HERO in your classroom?


"MY HERO has helped myself and my students learn a lot about media work and how to put stories together, make videos, songs, etc."


What is one memorable moment you have experienced with your students?


"That was 2014, when I newly constructed my school building and my first learning circle collaboration was with MY HERO."


Who is your personal hero, and why?


"That's my father. That man works very hard, even in poor conditions, just for us to have basic education. He inspires me a lot to be kind and always help when I have the chance."


Nominate a Teacher for the Teacher Spotlight


Do you know an educator who deserves recognition?



Email media@myheroproject.org with their name, email address and a few words about why you would like us to feature them.



Visualize Heroism Student Art Contest - Dec 1st

Who inspires you? The MY HERO Project invites students from Pre-K through college to enter the Visualize Heroism Art Contest.


Celebrate a hero in your life by creating an original work of art that shows what makes them special. It's a wonderful opportunity to share your creativity, recognize the people who make a difference and inspire others through art.


The deadline for submissions is December 1, 2026.


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