Last month, San Clemente High School students Arantza Villarroel, Melanie Lopez and Natalia Reyes were recognized for winning fifth place in the “Through a Cultural Lens” category of Directing Change’s statewide video competition.
The Directing for Change program and film competition are part of a statewide effort to prevent suicide, reduce stigma and discrimination associated with mental illness, and promote youth mental health. Since 2011, the competition has provided California youth with the opportunity to learn about suicide prevention and mental health through filmmaking. While anyone can read or learn about the signs of suicide and mental illness, making a short film resonates on a deeper level with both youth and adults.
The “Through a Cultural Lens” category asks young people to share their cultural experiences and how they shape their perspective on mental health. Submitted videos will be assessed based on their technical skills and creative decisions. Entrants may take creative liberties in making their videos, but all submissions must follow guidelines that promote sensitivity and respect. While videos may depict individuals struggling with mental health issues, they must inspire young people to take action to protect their mental health. All submissions will conclude with a message of hope and resources.
The fifth place winning entry, “Cambiemos el Pasado” (Change the Past), explores the burden many children of immigrant parents face: the daunting task of meeting overwhelmingly high expectations. Through this story, the artists explore the prejudices embedded in Latino culture and the impact of intergenerational trauma on the mental health of young people.
This short film depicts the struggles of three teenagers as they struggle with academic pressures and try to hide their stress from their parents. The film conveys the pressures many children from immigrant families face as they try to be the “perfect kid” and achieve more than their parents. Many young people feel an immense responsibility to make their parents’ sacrifices “worth it,” even if it means sacrificing their own mental health. The video encourages young people from immigrant families to challenge these expectations for their overall mental health and break the cycle of intergenerational trauma.
When asked what inspired her to make “Cambiemos el Pasado,” filmmaker Melanie Lopez said that making the film allowed her to connect with other people and know that she is not alone in her struggles. Lopez elaborates, “By sharing our feelings, we can bring about positive change for our communities and future generations. This is what motivated me to produce and be a part of this project. I feel happy that I was able to contribute to bringing about change in my community.”
The Directing Change program and film competition receives over 1,000 submissions each year. It was a great accomplishment and honor for San Clemente High School students to win fifth place in the statewide competition. Orange County submissions performed well throughout the competition and received recognition in all categories. Students may enter the competition with the support of their school or community organization. The advisor for this submission was the Wellness & Prevention Center. To watch the film and learn more about the program, visit the Directing Change website at directingchangeca.org.
If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health or having thoughts of suicide, please call the National Suicide Helpline on 988. Also, talk to your loved ones about mental health – the more they discuss their mental health, the more likely they are to seek help.
Monica Robles is a Project Coordinator at the Wellness & Prevention Center. Monica served as advisor for student submissions to the 2024 Directing Transformation Program and Film Competition. SC
