AWARDS CEREMONY

Youth Creating Change held its 14^th annual Directing Change Film Contest Award Ceremony at the historic United Theater on Broadway in downtown Los Angeles on Thursday, May 21st. Featuring screenings of youth-created films, a youth musical performance, announcement of statewide contest winners, and a range of esteemed guest speakers and presenters, the event celebrated excellence in mental health storytelling, youth creativity, and the true power of young people to shape important narratives, support one another, and advance change. This year’s ceremony was attended by nearly 800 middle and high school students (as well as parents, contest judges, mental health providers, entertainment professionals, and others working to advance the wellbeing of young people across the state). 

Youth films created for the Directing Change Film Contest will help raise awareness around mental health, suicide prevention, and substance use. 

• Facebook Live Segments Segment 1, Segment 2, Segment 3
• View and Download Event Photos by Sebastian Johnson-Deal and Vee Cisneros
• Statewide Winners 
• Award Ceremony Welcome Video
• Hope & Justice Art Reel
• Event Press Release  
• Event Sponsors

Youth-created films were submitted to one of the following categories: Suicide Prevention, Mental Health, Through the Lens of Culture, Substance Use, Walk in Our Shoes, or Hope & Justice, as well as the Boys, Young Men, and Those Who Care About Them Media Challenge.  For 2026, the contest received 1,306 submissions created by  3,688 youth from 171 schools and community-based organizations representing 33 counties (including Tri-City in Los Angeles County and Navajo Nation/Apache County in Arizona). As part of contest judging, top entries were shared with over 300 volunteer judges with backgrounds in entertainment, filmmaking, art, education, mental health, suicide prevention, and public health.  

Youth filmmakers honored at the event spoke on a variety of vital topics, including what inspires them to share their stories, the importance of building a community of support,  the way filmmaking can be used as tool to spread positive messages, their hopes for a better future, and the need to continue prioritizing the mental health of all young people. The event also featured a special youth performance of  the original song “We Will Pull Through” by Sophia Rohrer from Elite Academy in San Diego County.

Attending presenters for the ceremony included Mary Romero Barraza, Senior Deputy Director, Prevention and Child Wellbeing Administration, Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health; Dwight Paine, Deputy Cabinet Secretary, Governor’s Office; Brian Kaplun, Deputy Secretary for Policy and Strategic Planning, California HHS; Perry Chen, Director of Partnerships & Programs, Blue Shield of California Behavioral Health Services; and Ed Ternan, President, Song for Charlie. Together, these special guests provided words of encouragement, hope, and healing while sharing about their work, mental health resources and services, and even their personal experiences with suicide prevention and mental health. 

Also in attendance were several recipients of 2026 Directing Change Messaging Awards, which honor exceptional content, creators, and advocates for elevating conversations about mental health, suicide prevention, and substance use; reducing stigma; and encouraging a culture of help-seeking and support. In accepting their awards, actor Rachel Stubington (Mental Health Messaging in a Series, Shrinking), actor/producer Wood Harris (Mental Health Messaging in a Series, Forever), professional basketball player Lauren Betts (Mental Health Advocacy), and executive producer/writer/creator Sarah Lampert (Outstanding Substance Use Storyline, Ginny & Georgia) all shared inspiring remarks reaffirming the importance of coming together to celebrate youth creativity. For more about our Messaging Awards and additional winners from this year visit DirectingChangeCA.org/2026-Messaging-Awards/.

Ahead of the event, Youth Creating Change co-founder, Stan Collins gave an interview to Marla Tellez with Fox 11 in Los Angeles, highlighting May as Mental Health Awareness Month and providing an overview of our work. 

Youth filmmakers from across the state were also invited to a Youth for Social Change Event at the LA County Department of Mental Health on Wednesday, May 20th. In addition to youth, this networking and mentorship event also brought together a diverse group of industry professionals with expertise using visual media, art, and storytelling to spread positive messages, educate, and advance progress: Jeremiah Aja (Wellness Together), Lake Bell (director/writer/actor), Shailen Dawkins (musician), Gale L. Fitzgerald (two-time Olympian), Michael Gilvary (writer/producer), Chris Gordon (senior producer for the ABC station in Los Angeles), Karin Gornick (creative and development producer), Tysen Knight (artist/filmmaker), Matt Walton (writer), and Lori Woodley-Langendorf (CEO, All it Takes). During the event, youth and mentors viewed and discussed youth-created films submitted to the Directing Change Film Contest and had conversations around how to use their creative passion and artistic talent to make a difference in their communities, both now and in their future careers. 

As a nonprofit organization, Youth Creating Change needs support to continue doing this work. Please consider donating if you are able. We are also incredibly grateful for our sponsors and volunteers; we couldn’t do this without you!  Thank you to Blue Shield of California  for returning as our signature event sponsor and hosting the 7^th Annual People’s Choice Award and to the Devereaux Family Foundation for joining us as a signature sponsor this year!  

Additional sponsors included the family-run nonprofit Song for Charlie and the men’s mental health nonprofit Movember.