14th Annual Directing Change Screening and Award Ceremony

Youth Creating Change is a non-profit organization (501 c3) dedicated to placing young people’s voices and creativity at the center of suicide prevention and mental health programming. Our signature initiative, The Directing Change Film Contest, prepares youth to recognize signs of distress and how to support themselves or a friend.

The Directing Change Program’s 14th Annual Screening and Award Ceremony will recognize amazing youth and their inspiring films. Youth filmmakers from across California are given awards for their short films to raise awareness about mental health and suicide prevention in several categories, including Mental Health, Suicide Prevention, Substance Use Prevention, Through the Lens of Culture, Walk in Our Shoes, and Hope and Justice.

Thursday, May 21st 2026

11am to 2pm

11 am: Red Carpet and Doors Open

12 pm: Screening & Award Ceremony

• Self-parking and valet parking available for a fee.
• General admission is free.
• Youth Creating Change is a nonprofit organization and greatly appreciates your support.
• A VIP ticket experience is available for a $50 donation. This includes priority seating.
• All films will be captioned in English, and we will have an ASL interpreter on stage during the ceremony and screenings.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Signature Sponsor
A big thank you to Blue Shield of California and their Blue Shield of California BlueSky Initiative for returning this year as our signature sponsor.

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Host or Publisher Directing Change Program & Film Contest