ORANGE, CA – May 29, 2018 – Twenty-one students from Canyon High School earned state and regional honors for their mental health awareness and suicide prevention films at the sixth annual Directing Change Program & Film Contest. The student films either placed in the top three or earned honorable mentions within their categories for the region including Orange, San Diego and Imperial Counties. Three of the film entries advanced to the statewide round of judging, and two were announced as second and third-place winners in their categories during the awards ceremony at the Ace Hotel in Los Angeles on May 22, 2018.
Student filmmakers Isaac Resurreccion, Matthew Bachor and Lance Hahn earned third-place statewide honors in the Suicide Prevention category with their film “Don’t Be Afraid to Ask,” while Victoria Neller earned second-place statewide honors in the Mental Health Matters category with her entry, “Hear the Music.” Also considered in the Mental Health Matters category was “First Steps” by Creston Brown, Brandon Khong, Hunger Lopp, Delaney Yourstone, Neemav Wangyal and Logan Campos.
Faculty Advisor Alex Graham expressed pride in his students’ regional and statewide achievements and great respect for how they addressed the stigmas of mental health and suicide in such powerful and creative ways, while also offering hope and a pathway to help for those who are suffering.
“Struggles with mental health and suicidal thoughts are crises that far too many people, especially teens, are facing in their daily lives,” said Graham. “The Directing Change FilmContest has provided students with a platform to raise awareness about these issues and to work towards removing the stigma that surrounds people who are suffering and in need of help. I am so proud of what each of my students has done to address these serious issues in such a profoundly personal and meaningful way.”
Nearly 2,500 students from 164 schools and community-based organizations competed from five regions in this year’s Directing Change Program & Film Contest, which is sponsored by Each Mind Matters and the California Mental Health Services Authority. The contest was
created to empower young people to start important conversations in their communities by creating 60-second films about suicide prevention and mental health. Contest categories included Suicide Prevention, Mental Health Matters and Through the Lens of Culture, which required a language other than English or a focus on another culture.
The following student-produced entries from Canyon High School received regional and state honors:
SUICIDE PREVENTION CATEGORY
THIRD PLACE – STATE
SECOND PLACE & DIRECTING CHANGE TEAM PICK – REGION ONE
“Don’t Be Afraid to Ask,” Canyon High School, Orange Unified School District
Filmmakers: Isaac Resurreccion, Matthew Bachor & Lance Hahn
https://vimeo.com/258204827
THIRD PLACE – REGION ONE
“I Am,” Canyon High School, Orange Unified School District
Filmmaker: Megan Beehler
https://vimeo.com/258168943
HONORABLE MENTION – REGION ONE
“Dancing Again,” Canyon High School, Orange Unified School District
Filmmakers: Audrey Berry & Amanda Quach
https://vimeo.com/259244170
MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS CATEGORY
SECOND PLACE - STATE
HONORABLE MENTION & DIRECTING CHANGE TEAM PICK – REGION ONE
“Hear the Music,” Canyon High School, Orange Unified School District
Filmmaker: Victoria Neller
https://vimeo.com/258154008
NOMINEE – STATE
FIRST PLACE – REGION ONE
“First Steps,” Canyon High School, Orange Unified School District
Filmmakers: Creston Brown, Brandon Khong, Hunger Lopp, Delaney Yourstone, Neemav Wangyal & Logan Campos
https://vimeo.com/259377555
SECOND PLACE – REGION ONE
“I Am,” Canyon High School, Orange Unified School District
Filmmakers: Colette Grob, Nick Sherman, Max Furtek & Luke Fisher
https://vimeo.com/257981169
HONORABLE MENTION – REGION ONE
“#StatusofMind,” Canyon High School, Orange Unified School District
Filmmaker: Camille Celifie
https://vimeo.com/258168306
THROUGH THE LENS OF CULTURE CATEGORY – SUICIDE PREVENTION & MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS
SECOND PLACE – REGION ONE
“Proud to Be Me,” Canyon High School, Orange Unified School District
Filmmaker: Hallie Conrad
https://vimeo.com/258208917
HONORABLE MENTION – REGION ONE
“What Will the People Think?”, Canyon High School, Orange Unified School District
Filmmaker: Mana Javadi
https://vimeo.com/257978139
HONORABLE MENTION – REGION ONE
“Talk About More,” Canyon High School, Orange Unified School District
Filmmaker: Tiffany Le
https://vimeo.com/258020822
For a complete list of state and regional winners, visit www.directingchangeca.org/films.