Tri-City

Directing Change is an evaluated suicide prevention and mental health program with the mission to educate young people about critical health topics through art and promote social justice and health by changing conversations in schools and communities.
Monthly Art and Film Contest
  • Open to youth ages 12-25
  • Deadline: October 31
  • Free to participate
  • Amazon Gift Cards (up to $300)
  • All art forms accepted (visual art, film, written works, TikTok, original music and more)
  • Use your creativity to show how the election has impacted your mental health and how you’re coping, share information about issues that matter most to you, or explore ways young people can involved in the election to advocate for positive change for our nation and ourselves.
  • Check out the Election Lesson Guide with activities, videos and discussion questions that educators can use to support youth in creating their submissions to this month’s contest.
  • Learn more by visiting the Hope & Justice contest page
  • Get inspired by visiting the Virtual Gallery

October Prompt:
What this Election Means to Me

Submission Categories: Hope, Justice, or Monthly Prompt


Submit to Contest
Annual Film Contest
  • Open to Middle, High School and College Students (12-25)
  • Deadline: March 1, 2023
  • Free to participate
  • Cash prizes for youth (up to $1000)
  • Regional winners advance to statewide round of judging
  • Award Ceremony in May

Submission Categories


  • Suicide Prevention
  • Mental Health
  • Through the Lens of Culture
  • Walk in Our Shoes
  • Animated Short
  • Hope and Justice

“Piecing it Together”


Claremont High School

Filmmakers: Hudson Colvin, Sebastien Brusselle, and Angelique Wiesner


News and Awards

Tri-City Youth Place in May Hope & Justice Contest

Our May contest asked youth to create art, films, written works, or audio pieces about how they cope with tough times (Hope), the changes they want to see in their communities (Justice), the impact of social media on mental health (Monthly Prompt). Feeling inspired? Check-out more Hope and Justice art and film submissions from Tri-City youth.

Feeling inspired? Checkout more Hope and Justice art and film submissions from Tri-City youth.

  • First Place Hope & Justice: “Helping Hand” by Simon Rockwell
  • Third Place Monthly Prompt (High School): “End the Stigma” by Xin Lu

View the full list of May winners across California here.


Tri-City Students Recognized for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Achievements

The Directing Change Program & Film Contest announced the regional finalists in the 12th annual student contest encouraging young people to create short films and art projects about suicide prevention and mental health.

  • First Place Mental Health (Region 3): “Piecing it Together
  • Second Place Mental Health (Region 3, Tie): “First Step
  • Second Place Suicide Prevention: “I Can

In addition to the films above, other fantastic films from Tri-City also received awards in various specialty categories, as well as “Honorable Mention” in their respective categories. View all 2024 winning films here.


Tri-City Youth Place in February Hope & Justice Contest

The February contest asked youth to create art, films, written works, or audio pieces about how they cope with tough times (Hope), the changes they want to see in their communities (Justice), and reassuring young people that they are never a bother and can share their feelings with others (Monthly Prompt).

Feeling inspired? Check out more Hope and Justice art and film submissions from Tri-City youth.

  • Second Place Monthly Prompt (High School): “Whenever and Wherever” by Jolean Feng
  • Honorable Mention Monthly Prompt (High School): “Eye Care About You” by Alexa Sobenes
  • Honorable Mention Monthly Prompt (High School): “Razzles” by Jacquelyn Varela

View the full list of February winners across California here.


Tri-City Youth Place in December/January Hope & Justice Contest

The December/January contest asked youth to create art, films, written works, or audio pieces about how they cope with tough times (Hope), the changes they want to see in their communities (Justice), and what they wish their parents and other adults knew about youth mental health (Monthly Prompt).

Feeling inspired? Checkout more Hope and Justice art and film submissions from Tri-City youth.

  • First Place Monthly Prompt (Visual Art – High School): “Alienated” by Jolean Feng
  • First Place (Hope & Justice): “Striking for Patients” by Emma DeWees

View the full list of December/January winners across California here.


Tri-City Youth Place in November Hope & Justice Contest

November’s contest asked youth to create art, films, or written works about how they cope with tough times (Hope), the changes they want to see in their communities (Justice), and the uplifting power of music (Monthly Prompt).

Feeling inspired? Checkout more Hope and Justice art and film submissions from Tri-City youth.

View the full list of November winners across California here.


Tri-City Youth Place in September Hope & Justice Contest

September’s contest asked youth to create art, films, or written works about how they cope with tough times (Hope), the changes they want to see in their communities (Justice), and their “anchor” (Monthly Prompt), which could be a hobby or activity, a form of self-care, or any little thing that brings joy, helps them cope, and reminds them about their reason for living.

Feeling inspired? Checkout more Hope and Justice art and film submissions from Tri-City youth.

  • First Place Monthly Prompt – Art: “Guiding Light” by Xin Lu
  • Third Place Monthly Prompt – Art: “My Protector” by Emma DeWees
  • Second Place September Hope & Justice – Art: “Sucked In” by Alexa Sobenes

View the full list of September winners across California here.


Statewide Winners Announced in Annual Directing Change Film Contest

Statewide winners in all categories were announced by the Directing Change Program & Film Contest! Two student-created films from Orange County (“We’ve Never Been Closer” and “Seams”) were screened at a red-carpet award ceremony hosted at the Theatre at Ace Hotel in downtown Los Angeles on Tuesday, May 16th. Congratulations to the filmmakers who placed!

Tri-City statewide winners:


Tri-City Youth Place in April Hope & Justice Contest

April’s Hope & Justice contest asked youth to share actions young people can take to improve and support the world we live in to celebrate Earth Day. Congratulations to the youth from Tri-City who placed in the contest!

Feeling inspired? Checkout more Hope and Justice art and film submissions from Tri-City youth.

  • First Place Hope and Justice: “Breakout” by Charlotte Griffiths
  • Third Place Hope and Justice: “Marigold” by Kaylani Raxajack
  • Honorable Mention Hope and Justice: “Help Yourself” by Ky Nguyen (This entry addresses themes of violence and abuse and may be upsetting for some.)
  • Second Place Monthly Prompt (Tie): “Corroding Coral” by Charlotte Griffiths
  • Honorable Mention Monthly Prompt: “Reusable Bags” by Abby Villanueva

View the full list of April winners across California here.


Tri-City Students Recognized for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Achievements

The Directing Change Program & Film Contest announced the regional and statewide finalists in the 11th annual student contest encouraging young people to create short films and art projects about suicide prevention and mental health.

View all 2023 winning films here.