The Orange County Department of Education (OCDE) will support middle and high school students to develop videos for the California Directing Change Program and Film Contest. This statewide contest encourages students to create 30 and 60 second films to raise awareness about mental health and promote suicide prevention in their school communities.
OCDE’s Student Advocates for Mental Health program can provide training, technical assistance, and materials to a selected number of Orange County schools to create and showcase films.
Directing Change Program and Film Contest Goals
Promote awareness and education about mental health in a creative way
Change and normalize conversations about mental health in school communities to increase help-seeking behaviors
Advocate for a shift in mindset through the use of film to support destigmatizing mental health
Inspire a new generation to better understand the warning signs of suicide and how to get help for themselves or a friend when concerned
Promote school and community resources that support suicide prevention and mental health services
OCDE Directing Change Project Participation Guidelines:
Schools must engage a minimum of five students in the project to develop films to submit to the California Directing Change Program and Film Contest on or before March 1, 2026.
A minimum of one school site advisor needs to support the development of student films.
Advisors must work in close partnership with the school's counseling department and school administration to support students to develop a mental health showcase video or event by May 15, 2026.
Submit a completion form following each event.
Why Partner With OCDE?
While schools can submit films directly to the Directing Change Program and Film Contest, OCDE’s Student Advocates for Mental Health program can provide training, technical assistance, and materials to a select number of Orange County middle and high schools to develop films. In addition, each participating school will have the opportunity to hold a showcase event to raise awareness among students, staff and families through the sharing of their film(s).
Click here to view last year’s Directing Change Program and Film Contest winning films.
Application
The Directing Change Film Project Application is now open. To apply, click here. Applications will be accepted until Friday, October 3, 2025.
For more information, please contact Stephanie Loscko, Program Specialist, at sloscko@ocde.us or 714-966-4319.
