Pomona and Claremont students earned statewide recognition in the 2020 Directing Change youth film contest
The Directing Change Program and Film Contest is part of Each Mind Matters: California’s Mental Health Movement. The program is a statewide initiative designed for students and young adults across California to learn about the topics of suicide prevention and mental health in an innovative way: through the art of filmmaking. The 2020 program received 1,080 films created by nearly 3,500 youth from 190 schools across California.
We learn through action and our minds begin to change when we apply our knowledge. Anyone can read about the signs of suicide or mental illness, but it requires a deeper level of involvement to thoughtfully and respectfully capture these topics in a 60-second film to advocate change. By lending their perspective to the mental health movement, local youth are creating a lasting impact in the minds of others about wellness, suicide prevention and stigma.
The 8th annual Awards Ceremony, normally held at the Ace Theatre in Downtown Los Angeles, was streamed virtually to announce the statewide 2020 contest winners. This year was a sweeping success for students in Pomona and Claremont who earned winds and honorable mentions in several film categories.
The 2020 Directing Change Award Ceremony and regional short-films are available below. The Directing Change Tip Sheet shows how to use these films to promote mental health awareness.
2020 Directing Change Award Ceremony
Category: SanaMente
* First Place: “Del Barrio”
The School of Arts And Enterprise
Filmmaker: Jesse Marquez Jr., Dario Alatorre, Julian Valdez, and Kenny Marquez
Advisor: Mr. Ryan Metzler
Language: Spanish with English subtitles
A boy struggles with a lack of family support and connection until he finds SanaMente and is able to find the right path.
Un nino batalla con la falta de apoyo y conexión con su familia hasta que encuentra el sitio web de SanaMente y encuentra su camino.
Del Barrio from Directing Change on Vimeo.
Category: Suicide Prevention
Honorable Mention: ”Secrets”
Claremont High School
Filmmakers: Oscar Jan, Cameron Edeson and Ben Tzobery
Advisor: Sarah Hills
Secrets from Directing Change on Vimeo.
Category: Mental Health Matters
* First Place: “I Am Me”
Claremont High School
Filmmakers: Eli Kupetz, Jenna Gossett, Ryley Swift and Gabriel Herrera
Advisor: Sara Hills
I Am Me from Directing Change on Vimeo.
Second Place: “Together We Matter”
The School of Arts And Enterprise
Filmmakers: Andrew Magana, Angel Cruz, Seth Corwin, Ashley Moreno, Victor Tessier, Jasmin Camacho, Jessica Garcia, Josh Juarez, Susana Garcia and Andrew Asebedo
Advisor: Ryan Metzler
Together We Matter from Directing Change on Vimeo.
Honorable Mention: “Not Just In Your Head”
Claremont High School
Filmmakers: Sophia Spencer, Katie Mcgruder, Faris Banihani and Sarah Pino
Advisor: Sara Hills
Not Just In Your Head from Directing Change on Vimeo.
Honorable Mention: “Can We Talk?”
Claremont High School
Filmmakers: Dillon Leslie, Max Sanders, Vaughn Wilbur, Tatyana Locklin and Luna Rodriguez
Advisor: Sara Hills
Can We Talk? from Directing Change on Vimeo.
Category: Walk In Our Shoes
Second Place: “Saving a Friend”
Mountain View Elementary School
Filmmakers: Alex Gonzales, Danny Vu, Julian Valverde and Paul Rosa
Advisor: Jacqueline McElvy
Saving a Friend from Directing Change on Vimeo.
Third Place: “Words Have Power”
Marshall Middle School
Filmmakers: Rena Ko, Jannell Gonzalez, Jannese Gonzalez, Vincent Cruz, Atiqa Shafiq and Estefany Romero
Advisor: Nicole Soussens
Words Have Power from Directing Change on Vimeo.
Honorable Mention: “The Importance of Help”
Mountain View Elementary School
Filmmakers: Emily Hayes, Khloe Wales and Jeffery Khaddour
Advisor: Jacqueline McElvy
The Importance of Help from Directing Change on Vimeo.
Honorable Mention: “Words Matter So Think Before You Speak”
Mountain View Elementary School
Filmmakers: Maryum Amjad, Jammie Park and Lucia Mustoe
Advisor: Valri Jacobs
Think Before You Speak from Directing Change on Vimeo.
Honorable Mention: “Words are Sounds”
Mountain View Elementary School
Filmmakers: Brenden Coronado, Nicholas Ramos and Jude Garcia
Advisor: Valri Jacobs
Words are Sounds from Directing Change on Vimeo.
Honorable Mention: “The Paintbrush”
Mountain View Elementary School
Filmmakers: Victoria Resendiz, Danni Gutierrez and Alexandria Bermudez
Advisor: Jacqueline McElvy
The Paintbrush from Directing Change on Vimeo.