MY HERO is a Laguna Beach-based non-profit that provides resources for sharing hero stories, and offers a digital archive of inspiring content through stories, videos, and photos. Since 1995, MY HERO has reached out to over 300,000 teachers from over 194 countries. It receives over 5,000 stories about heroes per year from kids and adults alike, sharing their inspirational heroes and offers a platform where people of all ages can share their incredible stories with the public, enabling people to recognize their heroes and share their stories with others.
The One World One Ocean Campaign has teamed up with MY HERO to create the Sylvia Earle Ocean Conservation Award, and we are asking members of the public to send in videos about their ocean heroes.
“Our mission at One World One Ocean is to change how people see and value the ocean, which is why we are pleased to partner with MY HERO to create this new award,” said Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Greg MacGillivray, who will participate as a member of the judging committee for the award. “Sylvia Earle is our ocean hero, and we hope this award inspires aspiring filmmakers to shine a spotlight on other dedicated people from all walks of life who are working tirelessly on behalf of our oceans.“
A world-renowned oceanographer and explorer, Earle is an author, lecturer, explorer, leader, and research scientist who has led more than 70 expeditions and has logged more than 6,500 hours underwater. Formerly chief scientist of NOAA, and now a National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence, she was awarded the 2009 TED Prize for her proposal to establish a global network of marine protected areas, called “hope spots.” She is an inspiration to ocean activists everywhere, including One World One Ocean and she serves as principal advisor to the campaign.
The Sylvia Earle Ocean Conservation Award will be presented along with a $500 award to the winner at this year’s MY HERO International Film Festival in December to the filmmaker whose work best illustrates his or her personal ocean hero.
The deadline for submissions is May 1, 2013. Films must be five minutes or under and the winner will be announced on WORLD OCEANS DAY June 8, 2013.
Click here to submit and apply! Good luck to all filmmakers, we can’t wait to see who your ocean heroes are!