Tri-City
- Open to youth ages 12-25
- Deadline: April 30
- Free to participate
- Amazon Gift Cards (up to $300)
- All art forms accepted (visual art, film, written works, TikTok, original music and more)
- Create a poem, video, or other creative piece that shows how you cope when life gets tough. Show us your hacks for dealing with setbacks or keeping hope alive when things look dark.
- Decoded is an educational campaign funded by counties and cities throughout California that aims to support young people in their overall well-being both physically and mentally.
- Learn more about April and May’s prompts by visiting the Hope & Justice contest page
- Get inspired by visiting the Virtual Gallery
April 2024 Monthly Prompt: Decoded
Featured Art
For contest rules, submission category details, entry form
and other information visit the contest page.
- Open to Middle, High School and College Students (12-25)
- Deadline: March 1, 2023
- Free to participate
- Cash prizes for youth (up to $1000)
- Regional winners advance to statewide round of judging
- Award Ceremony in May
Submission Categories
- Suicide Prevention
- Mental Health
- Through the Lens of Culture
- Walk in Our Shoes
- Animated Short
- Hope and Justice
Featured Film
“We’ve Never Been Closer”
Claremont High School
Filmmakers: Liam Plunier, Louis Nolte, Emilio Hernandez, Jacksan Gorman, and Dustin Divine-Sicherman
For contest rules, submission category details, entry form and other information visit www.DirectingChangeCA.org
Tri-City Students Recognized for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Achievements
The Directing Change Program & Film Contest announced the regional finalists in the 12th annual student contest encouraging young people to create short films and art projects about suicide prevention and mental health.
- First Place Mental Health (Region 3): “Piecing it Together”
- Second Place Mental Health (Region 3, Tie): “First Step”
- Second Place Suicide Prevention: “I Can”
In addition to the films above, other fantastic films from Tri-City also received awards in various specialty categories, as well as “Honorable Mention” in their respective categories. View all 2024 winning films here.
Tri-City Youth Place in February Hope & Justice Contest
The February contest asked youth to create art, films, written works, or audio pieces about how they cope with tough times (Hope), the changes they want to see in their communities (Justice), and reassuring young people that they are never a bother and can share their feelings with others (Monthly Prompt).
Feeling inspired? Check out more Hope and Justice art and film submissions from Tri-City youth.
- Second Place Monthly Prompt (High School): “Whenever and Wherever” by Jolean Feng
- Honorable Mention Monthly Prompt (High School): “Eye Care About You” by Alexa Sobenes
- Honorable Mention Monthly Prompt (High School): “Razzles” by Jacquelyn Varela
View the full list of February winners across California here.
Tri-City Youth Place in December/January Hope & Justice Contest
The December/January contest asked youth to create art, films, written works, or audio pieces about how they cope with tough times (Hope), the changes they want to see in their communities (Justice), and what they wish their parents and other adults knew about youth mental health (Monthly Prompt).
Feeling inspired? Checkout more Hope and Justice art and film submissions from Tri-City youth.
- First Place Monthly Prompt (Visual Art – High School): “Alienated” by Jolean Feng
- First Place (Hope & Justice): “Striking for Patients” by Emma DeWees
View the full list of December/January winners across California here.
Tri-City Youth Place in November Hope & Justice Contest
November’s contest asked youth to create art, films, or written works about how they cope with tough times (Hope), the changes they want to see in their communities (Justice), and the uplifting power of music (Monthly Prompt).
Feeling inspired? Checkout more Hope and Justice art and film submissions from Tri-City youth.
- First Place Monthly Prompt (Visual Art): “Musical Connection” by Xin Lu
- Second Place Monthly Prompt (Visual Art): “Music and My Mood” by Jolean Feng
- Third Place Hope & Justice: “Innocence” by Joy Ile Cheng
View the full list of November winners across California here.
Tri-City Youth Place in September Hope & Justice Contest
September’s contest asked youth to create art, films, or written works about how they cope with tough times (Hope), the changes they want to see in their communities (Justice), and their “anchor” (Monthly Prompt), which could be a hobby or activity, a form of self-care, or any little thing that brings joy, helps them cope, and reminds them about their reason for living.
Feeling inspired? Checkout more Hope and Justice art and film submissions from Tri-City youth.
- First Place Monthly Prompt – Art: “Guiding Light” by Xin Lu
- Third Place Monthly Prompt – Art: “My Protector” by Emma DeWees
- Second Place September Hope & Justice – Art: “Sucked In” by Alexa Sobenes
View the full list of September winners across California here.
Statewide Winners Announced in Annual Directing Change Film Contest
Statewide winners in all categories were announced by the Directing Change Program & Film Contest! Two student-created films from Orange County (“We’ve Never Been Closer” and “Seams”) were screened at a red-carpet award ceremony hosted at the Theatre at Ace Hotel in downtown Los Angeles on Tuesday, May 16th. Congratulations to the filmmakers who placed!
Tri-City statewide winners:
- First Place Animated Short: “Seams”
- Statewide Suicide Prevention finalist: “We’ve Never Been Closer”
Tri-City Youth Place in April Hope & Justice Contest
April’s Hope & Justice contest asked youth to share actions young people can take to improve and support the world we live in to celebrate Earth Day. Congratulations to the youth from Tri-City who placed in the contest!
Feeling inspired? Checkout more Hope and Justice art and film submissions from Tri-City youth.
- First Place Hope and Justice: “Breakout” by Charlotte Griffiths
- Third Place Hope and Justice: “Marigold” by Kaylani Raxajack
- Honorable Mention Hope and Justice: “Help Yourself” by Ky Nguyen (This entry addresses themes of violence and abuse and may be upsetting for some.)
- Second Place Monthly Prompt (Tie): “Corroding Coral” by Charlotte Griffiths
- Honorable Mention Monthly Prompt: “Reusable Bags” by Abby Villanueva
View the full list of April winners across California here.
Tri-City Students Recognized for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Achievements
The Directing Change Program & Film Contest announced the regional and statewide finalists in the 11th annual student contest encouraging young people to create short films and art projects about suicide prevention and mental health.
- First Place Animated Short: “Seams”
- Third Place Suicide Prevention (Tie) (Region 3): “We’ve Never Been Closer”
- Honorable Mention Suicide Prevention (Region 3): “Light”
- Second Place Mental Health (Region 3): “Life in Time Lapse”
- Honorable Mention Mental Health (Region 3): “The Gifts You Can Give”
- Honorable Mention Mental Health (Region 3): “A Night Out”
- Honorable Mention Mental Health (Region 3): “Get Help”
View all 2023 winning films here.
If at any time you are experiencing an emotional crisis, are thinking about suicide, or are concerned about someone call Tri-City’s Supplemental Crisis Line at (866) 623-9500 or call/text the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988. Both of these are available 24/7.
