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 Ron Kovic is an accomplished author, painter, and activist who has worked for world peace over the last 40 years. As a former Marine Corps sergeant, he served two tours of duty in the Vietnam War before being wounded in combat and paralyzed from the mid-chest down. He went on to become a prominent spokes-person for the anti-war movement, having since addressed the Democratic National Convention in 1976, President Obama and other dignitaries at the 32nd annual Kennedy Center Honors Ceremony in 2009, and Rome's Mayor Gianni Alemanno and other civic leaders as a member of Council for Dignity, Forgiveness, and Reconciliation in 2010.
The MY HERO Film Festival is honored to annually bestow the Ron Kovic Peace Award to the director of the short film that most effectively addresses the issue of world peace. The accompanying $1000 cash prize supports the critical efforts of artists and peace activists whose work shows the power of non-violent solutions to our world's troubles.
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Right To Play [Excerpt]
Instead of cashing in on his Olympic haul, Johann Olav Koss embarked on a remarkable journey that has established him as one of the world's greatest ambassadors of sports. As the founder, President and CEO of Right To Play, Koss and his army of volunteers, teachers, coaches and diplomats have used the power of athletics to elevate the lives of the world's neediest children. This film is the winner of The Ron Kovic Peace Prize and Best of Fest in the 2012 MY HERO International Film Festival. Director Frank Marshall had this response: “Johann and his organization are literally heroes to children in need around the globe,” he stated. “So it’s extremely appropriate and a great honor to accept these two awards from The MY HERO Project on behalf of our film on Johann Olav Koss and his incredible organization, Right to Play.”
By Frank Marshall
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Azim Khamisa: The Tool of Forgiveness
A father whose son is killed in a shooting finds it in himself to forgive the family of the teen who murdered his son. He goes on to create foundation in his son's memory, the Tariq Khamisa Foundation, raises awareness and engages youth to resist a culture of violence and learn to live in harmony with one another.
By The Institute for Advancing Unity/The Working Group
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Let Them Bloom
Fauzia’s film Let Them Bloom tells the story of a peace mural, created by children from a refugee camp in Islamabad. The children’s artwork offers a compelling call for peace amidst an environment of violence.
By Fauzia Minallah of Pakistan
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Imagine Peace
The grade 5 class in Bradford Ontario Canada asked their global partners "How do you imagine Peace?" These are the images from Canada, USA, Australia, East Jerusalem, Iraq, Iran, Taiwan and Afghanistan, compiled together by the Dreamteam.
By Mali Bickley & The Dreamteam
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Peace it Together: Freedom
Produced by Illy Auerbach,
Mohammed Qassas, Jeremy Izso
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Everest: A Climb for Peace (excerpt)
Produced by Lance Trumbull
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Salam
Peace begins within.
By Sharif Christopher Matar & Erik Takagi Butts
..Click below to watch Ron's powerful introduction to the film "Salam"
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