Riverside County Youth Triumph at Directing Change Film Contest

RIVERSIDE, CA (May 22, 2024) – Riverside County’s brightest young filmmakers were celebrated at the annual Directing Change Film Contest at the Fox Performing Arts Center in Riverside.

The May 16 event, hosted by Riverside University Health System's Behavioral Health and Public Health departments and the Riverside County Office of Education, showcased the powerful voices of youth dedicated to raising awareness about mental health and suicide prevention.

This year, 586 youth from 24 schools and youth-based organizations across Riverside County submitted over 200 films. The contest invited participants to create 30- to 60-second films addressing critical mental health issues, fostering community dialogue, and promoting awareness and advocacy.

The winners received trophies and cash prizes up to $1,000, recognizing their outstanding contributions to mental health awareness and suicide prevention. These awards celebrate the creativity and dedication of young filmmakers in addressing critical issues through their work.

This year’s winners were:

Suicide Prevention Nominees:

First Place: "Speaking Up" – Eleanor Roosevelt High School, Eastvale

• Filmmakers: Kaden Ammara, Kristopher Saucedo, Jayden Johns, Gewelle Grim
• Advisor: Jacob Fuller
• Video

Second Place: "Voices"– Eleanor Roosevelt High School, Eastvale

• Filmmakers: El Friedhof, Amber Frewing, Jenna Norris, Nathaly Mora
• Advisor: Jacob Fuller
• Video

Third Place: "Breaking the Silence"– Eleanor Roosevelt High School, Eastvale

• Filmmakers: Hyrum Smith, Brock Molina, Baetale Ayano, Mattew Tapia
• Advisor: Jacob Fuller
• Video

Through the Lens of Culture Nominees:

First Place: "Cleanse Your Mind" – Hillcrest High School, Riverside

• Filmmaker: Viviana Monroy
• Advisor: Amy Leulu
• Video

Second Place: "The Culture of Unity" – UC Riverside/Coachella Valley Free Clinic, Coachella

• Filmmakers: Sanaz Mirza, Diane Hashem, Kamron Sherafat, Lessly Tapia Torres, Anjali Palikhey
• Advisor: Dr. Ann Cheney
• Video

Third Place: "Mi Querido Bello" – Valley View High School, Moreno Valley

• Filmmakers: Angelica Muñoz, Aaliyah Duran
• Advisor: Chris Lorenz
• Video

Mental Health Matters Nominees:

First Place: "Paint Your Own Picture" – Great Oak High School, Temecula

• Filmmakers: Elizabeth Bujas, Alaura Francis, Mila Peralta, Nicole Lacey
• Advisor: Andrew Huff
• Video

Second Place: "YOU MATTER" – Martin Luther King Jr. High School, Riverside

• Filmmakers: Zach Halama, Anthony Guerrero, Alfonso Garcia
• Advisor: Jamal Gerren
• Video

Third Place: "Emergence" – Ramona High School, Riverside

• Filmmakers: Juliet Tilden, Cassandra Macedonio
• Advisor: Dacy Nottingham
• Video

Hope & Justice Nominees:

First Place: "The First Thing I Do When I Get Home" – Landmark Middle School, Moreno Valley

• Filmmaker: River Reyes
• Advisor: Vanessa Hoang
• Video

Second Place: "Rox" – Temecula Valley High School, Temecula

• Filmmakers: Hunter Shelton, Cole Elas, Chase Scorsone
• Advisor: Kimberly Randall
• Video

Third Place: "ME" – Heritage High School, Menifee

• Filmmaker: Daniel Gonzalez
• Advisor: Nicholis Kalantar
• Video

All video submissions and photos from the event can be found at the following link: RCOE Directing Change.

About Directing Change

The Directing Change Program & Film Contest is part of Each Mind Matters: California’s Mental Health Movement. By encouraging youth to create short films on mental health and suicide prevention, the program fosters awareness, education, and advocacy efforts statewide. Participants learn to recognize warning signs, respond to distress, and promote mental wellness, helping students understand and engage with these critical topics. For more information about the Directing Change Program, visit directingchangeca.org/riversidecounty.