AWARDS CEREMONY

Youth Creating Change held its 13th annual Directing Change Film Contest Awards Ceremony at the historic United Theater on Broadway in Downtown Los Angeles on Thursday, May 22nd. The event included screenings of youth-created films, a youth musical performance, announcement of statewide contest winners, and a range of esteemed guest speakers and presenters and was attended by over 700 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). 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.

Youth films created for the Directing Change Film Contest will help raise awareness of mental health and suicide prevention.

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• View and Download Event Photos by Sebastian Johnson-Deal and the YCC Team
• View Statewide Winners and 2025 Winning Films
• Event Sponsors

Youth films were submitted to one of the following categories: Suicide Prevention, Mental Health, Through the Lens of Culture, Walk in Our Shoes, Animated Short, or Hope & Justice. For 2025, the contest received 1,268 60- and 30-second film submissions created by 3,161 youth from 172 schools and community-based organizations representing 34 California counties and the Tri-City area. As part of contest judging, select entries were shared with over 300 volunteer judges with backgrounds in entertainment, filmmaking, art, education, mental health, and suicide prevention.

Youth filmmakers accepting awards 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 “Hold On” by Brooklyn Lightfoot from Serrano High School in Orange County.

Attending presenters for the ceremony included Dr. Erica Reynoso, Ph.D., LCSW of the Office of Transition Age Youth, Prevention and Child Wellbeing Bureau, Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health; Director for the Office of Youth and Community Restoration, Judge Katherine Lucero; actors Keiko Agena (Gilmore Girls, Prodigal Son) and Geffri Maya (All American, All American: Homecoming); Ali Vangrow, Senior Policy Analyst for the Office of Policy and Strategic Planning at CalHHS; Angela Padilla, mental health advocate and founder of FundaMental Change; and mental health and LGBTQ+ activist Juan Acosta. Together, these special guests shared words of encouragement, hope, and healing while sharing about their work, available mental health resources and services, and their personal experiences with suicide prevention and mental health. The guest speakers also reaffirmed the importance of coming together to celebrate youth creativity while reminding young people everywhere that they are not alone and can always reach out for help.

Ahead of the red-carpet event, top 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 21st. 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, Shailen Dawkins (musician), Chris Gordon (senior producer for the ABC station in Los Angeles), Karin Gornick (creative and development producer), Tara Miele (filmmaker), Matt Walton (writer), Aaron Wolf (co-founder, Howling Wolf Productions), 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, as well as how to use their creative passion and artistic talent to make a difference in their communities, both now and in their future careers. Learn more about our youth mentors here!

In the lead up to the Awards Ceremony, Youth Creating Change also announced the recipients of its 2025 Messaging Awards, honoring exceptional content, creators, and advocates for elevating conversations about mental health and suicide prevention, reducing stigma, and encouraging a culture of help-seeking and support. This year’s winning films, shows, and advocates provide a shining example of how to encourage positive change through entertainment while also reminding all creatives that their work has the power to shape how audiences understand important topics like mental health in their own lives and communities.

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 6th Annual People’s Choice Award.

People’s Choice 2025

We once again hosted a 2025 People’s Choice Award, which was a chance to vote for your favorite film. A big thank you to our sponsor, the Blue Shield of California BlueSky youth mental health initiative. Congratulations to our People’s Choice Award Winners!

Statewide Finalists

Suicide Prevention

Mental Health