Directing Change Film Contest

February 5, 2019

Directing Change in the News

Chia-Chia Chien was interviewed for an article in a local online newspaper about the Directing Change film contest. Chia-Chia talked about the importance of mental health and suicide prevention and why programs such as Directing Change, especially looking at mental health through people's cultural perspective can help prevent suicide.

September 16, 2018

2019 Directing Change Program & Film Contest Now Open for Submissions

2019 Directing Change film contest is now open for submission. The Culture to Culture Foundation is sponsoring the Through the Lens of Culture category of this state-wide contest for the fourth straight year. Submission deadline is March 1, 2019.

Similar to 2018, 1^st, 2^ndand 3rd place winners will be selected in each category (mental health, suicide prevention) by a judging panel. Prizes and other benefits remain unchanged, see 2018 announcement below.

Prizes in each category:

1^st place: $1,000
2^nd place: $500
3^rd place: $250

Additional information about the contest can be found on Directing Change's Through the Lens of Culture category information page.

Feel free to download and share 2019 Through the Lens of Culture flyer.

April 19, 2018

2018 Directing Change Film Contest Winners Announced

2018 winners were announced by Directing Change. A list of winners and the winning videos for the Culture to Culture Foundation sponsored category, Through the Lens of Culture, are on the 2018 Directing Change Winners page.

September 28, 2017

2018 Directing Change Program & Film Contest Now Open for Submissions

2018 Directing Change film contest is now open for submission. The Culture to Culture Foundation is sponsoring the Through the Lens of Culture category of this state-wide contest for the third straight year. Submission deadline is March 1, 2018.

1^st, 2^ndand 3rd place winners will be selected in each category (mental health, suicide prevention) by a judging panel.

Prizes in each category:

1^st place: $1,000
2^nd place: $500
3^rd place: $250
Schools, organizations, clubs and programs associated with the first place winning film in each category are eligible to receive $500 to support suicide prevention and mental health awareness programs and activities at their school or organization (subject to availability of funding and one prize per school). A short narrative outlining planned activities will be required.
Up to two participants from the first place film team will be provided with travel stipends to attend the award ceremony (subject to availability of funding).
Winning films will be featured on the Directing Change compilation DVD and the program website.

Directing Change engages students and young people throughout California to learn about the topics of suicide prevention and mental health by creating short films that are used to support awareness, education and advocacy efforts on these topics. By submitting a film in the Through the Lens of Culture category young film makers are encouraged to explore the topics of suicide prevention and mental health through the lens of a particular culture.

Feel free to download and share 2018 Directing Change Through the Lens of Culture Promotional Flyer

and 2018 Directing Change Promotional Flyer

June 6, 2017

2017 Directing Change Film Contest Winners Announced

In 2017, Culture to Culture Foundation again had the honor to be in partnership with Directing Change for the state-wide film contest. This year, the contest received 456 films, representing 1343 youth from 110 schools and organizations across California. Pictures, list of winners, together with the winning videos are on the 2017 Directing Change Winners page.

May 12, 2016

2016 Directing Change Film Contest Winners Announced

The Directing Change organization announced the winners of its film contest. Culture to Culture Foundation sponsored the Through the Lens of Culture category. 6 winners were selected in the suicide prevention sub-category and 5 winners were selected in the Mental Health Matters sub-category. The list of winners together with the winning videos are on the 2016 Directing Change Winners page.

February 11, 2016

Directing Change Film Contest Deadline Approaching

The submission deadline to the Directing Change film contest is March 1, 2016. Bay Area Chinese language television Channel 26 produced public service announcements to publicizing the contest.

October 27, 2015

Culture to Culture Sponsors Directing Change Film Contest

Culture to Culture Foundation is partnering with Directing Change as a sponsor of the new Through the Lens of Culture category in their California state-wide video/film contest. Culture to Culture is providing cash prizes for this category and will participate as judges as well. Feel free to download and share the flyer with anyone who may be interested in competing in this worthwhile contest.

Directing Change film contest is part of Each Mind Matters: California’s Mental Health Movement and statewide efforts to prevent suicide, reduce stigma and discrimination related to mental illness, and to promote the mental health and wellness of students. These initiatives are funded by counties through the Mental Health Services Act (Prop 63) and administered by the California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA), an organization of county governments working to improve mental health outcomes for individuals, families and communities. The film contest is open to high school students, youth and young adults in California.

Through the Lens of Culture is one of three categories in the 2016 contest. By submitting a 60-seconds film in the Through the Lens of Culture category, young film makers are encouraged to explore the topics of suicide prevention and mental health through the lens of a particular culture. The submission deadline for the contest is March 1, 2016.

Prizes for this category will be:

1st place: $1,000
2nd place: $500
3rd place: $250
4th place: $125
5th place: $125
Schools, organizations, clubs and programs associated with the winning film in each category are eligible to receive $1000 to support suicide prevention and mental health awareness programs and activities at their school or organization. A short narrative outlining planned activities will be required.
First, second and third place winners will be provided with travel stipends (for up to four people) to attend the award ceremony.
Winning films will be featured on the Directing Change compilation DVD and the program website

For more information on the contest, visit Directing Change's contest rules and FAQ page.

Sponsoring the new Through the Lens of Culture category in the state-wide Directing Change film contest.