Logan Turner and Nathan Harris
12th Grade
Martin Luther King / MLK Wellness Peer Educator
Riverside County
My short film tells the story of Jordan, a gifted basketball player quietly battling performance anxiety. The visual language reflects his isolation and inner tension, we avoid eye contact with him until the final moments, his hood stays up as a barrier, and he practices alone at night on an empty outdoor court. Subtle details, shaky hands, a distant, zoned-out expression, repeated missed shots, and the exhaustion of chasing the ball, capture the weight of unseen pressure. After a moment of frustration, Jordan chooses to turn back, reclaiming his focus and confidence. Only then do we finally meet his eyes, symbolizing resilience, self-belief, and the importance of empathy, reminding viewers to “walk in someone else’s shoes,” because struggles with mental health are often invisible.
