That’s a Wrap!

Streets Are For Everyone celebrated its eighth annual Streets, Art, SAFE Film Competition on May 4 at the American Film Institute in Los Angeles!

This year’s Streets, Art, SAFE Film Competition was the largest yet: over 360 students from 29 schools across 5 CA counties as well as schools in AZ and FL competed, and, for the first year, the competition featured regional awards to acknowledge the growing impact of these students’ messages. 

“This year there have been so many creative, funny, impactful and awesome PSAs that we’ve introduced regional awards,” said Damian Kevitt, SAFE’s founder and executive director, from the AFI’s screening room stage. “The purpose of the regional awards was to ensure that the best PSAs from each region were acknowledged for the stellar work they’ve done.”

Photos of the Regional Awards being presented at the winning schools. From top left to right: Castaic High School, Best PSA Gold in North LA County Region; North Valley Christian Academy, Best PSA Gold in Arizona Region; Ramona High School, Best PSA Gold in Riverside County Region; Mountain View High School, Best PSA Gold in South LA County Region; Santa Susana High School, Best PSA Gold in Ventura County Region; and Troy High School, Best PSA Gold in Orange County Region.

Why Streets, Art, SAFE?

SAFE started the Streets, Art, SAFE Film Competition to give students a voice in the movement to improve the safety of their streets. In Los Angeles, traffic collisions are the #1 killer of children between the ages of 5 and 14, and California suffers the highest rate of pedestrian deaths in the country. 

The Streets, Art, SAFE Film Competition aims to educate and empower students to do something about it through creative, fun, artistic, and powerful visual storytelling — while also developing expertise in film and visual arts. 

“I was never into film, but after taking this film production class and working on this project, it’s really encouraged me to get more involved in filmmaking,” said Arturo, a senior at Bishop Mora Salesian. “I really enjoyed getting together and having fun with my group while also sending a valuable message.”

Other students — like Alexis, a 17-year-old from Castaic High School — have long had a passion for filmmaking, and the competition gave them a chance to channel that passion toward an important cause. 

“I have always wanted to be a filmmaker, and with a competition like this, I was able to show off my skills and use them for something that I am passionate about,” Alexis said. “I really like working with my team, having that support from everybody, and coming together for a common goal.”

The process of creating a Public Service Announcement also forces students to solve the problems all filmmakers face — and some that are unique to Streets, Art, SAFE.

Andrew and Matteo — two 15-year-olds from Mater Dei participating in their first Streets, Art, SAFE Film Competition — showed an admirable ability to go with the flow during the making of their PSA. 

“We got Matteo’s mom to put her car in the driveway, and we had a hose pointing at the car so it looked like it was raining; we also had a sheet, projector, and Matteo’s mom shined a light, so it looked like cars were passing by,” Andrew said. “It was fun finding interesting solutions to, you know, not being able to drive.” 

The Awards Ceremony

The awards ceremony featured student-made Public Service Announcements in categories like Best Distracted Driving PSA, Best Drowsy Driving PSA and Best Pedestrian Safety PSA. The Best PSA Gold, Silver, and Bronze awards went to Mountain View, Castaic, and de Toledo High Schools, respectively, and all three student groups — and their high schools — collected cash prizes.

No matter the stylistic and technical differences, all the PSAs conveyed powerful messages to drivers and pedestrians alike. 

“When I watch other people’s PSAs, a lot of them bring up new things to think about when I’m on the road,” said Connor, a student from Castaic participating for the third year. “I look forward to it every year. A lot of competitions are really stressful, and that takes the fun out of them, but with this one, there aren’t really any restrictions to your creativity, and you can just express yourself because it’s more about the message than anything.”

The day’s message was a sobering one, as Makenzi Rasey, the LA Department of Transportation’s Assistant General Manager of External Affairs, highlighted from the stage. 

“I get notified every time someone is killed in a car crash in Los Angeles, and last year that was 337 emails, or almost an email every day,” Makenzi said. “This is why the stories you’re telling are so important.”

A Joyful Process With a Powerful Message

The day’s PSAs powerfully portrayed the dangers that drivers and pedestrians across Southern California and the country face — but that doesn’t mean they weren’t fun. Despite the heavy subject matter, the joy the students took from their projects was evident in many of the PSAs. 

“I really enjoyed the whole process, especially the editing and getting to add the sound effects,” said Giselle, a 17-year-old from Theodore Roosevelt High School whose PSA, “Bicycle Safety,” took the silver in the Cycling Safety Special Awards. “I showed my video to my family, and they got squeamish, so it definitely had an impact. It’s made me more aware about the consequences of driving.” 

“This project sparked a new interest in filmmaking,” said Brian, a 16-year-old from Ramona High School who wants to be a camera operator and whose PSA, “Alcohol Kills Others,” won Best Driving Under the Influence PSA and Best Research and Accuracy of Traffic Safety Facts. “I feel blessed that my school has a good film program. It was so satisfying just being able to have proof that I’m improving in my filmmaking skills. It made me think, ‘Wow, I won an award. I’m getting good at this. Maybe I could work in film or film the news.’” 

Thank You!

Streets Are For Everyone extends its heartfelt gratitude to all the participants, sponsors, volunteers, and supporters who helped make the 8th Annual Streets, Art, SAFE Film Competition a resounding success.

And The Winners Are…!

Best PSA Category

Bronze: “It Won't Be Me,” de Toledo High School

Silver: “No Text Is Worth A Death,” Castaic High School

Gold: “Dose of Reality,” Mountain View High School

Street Racing Kills Special Awards Category

Bronze: “Street Racing Kills,” Castaic High School

Silver: “Street Racing Kills,” North Valley Christian Academy (Phoenix, AZ)

Gold: “Thrill Can Kill,” Reseda High School

Cycling Safety Special Awards Category

Bronze: “Bicyclists Need Safety Too,” Ramona High School

Silver: “Helmet Safety,” Theodore Roosevelt Senior High School

Gold: “(In)vincible Helmet,” Castaic High School

Category Awards

Script Originality and Creativity: “Heaven's Gate,” Mountain View High School

Cinematography: “No Text is Worth a Death,” Castaic High School

Make-Up: “(In)vincible Helmet,” Castaic High School

Acting: “It Won't Be Me,” de Toledo High School

Post-Special Effects/Graphics: "Drunk Driving Animation,” Mountain View High School

Editing: “It Can Wait,” Saint Monica Preparatory

Research and Accuracy of Traffic Safety Facts: “Alcohol Kills Others,” Ramona High School

Funniest PSA: “Drag Racing,” Saint Monica Preparatory

Best Animated PSA: “Eyes Up,” Reseda High School

Best Distracted Driving PSA: “The New Car,” de Toledo High School

Best Driving Under The Influence PSA: “Alcohol Kills Others,” Ramona High School

Best Pedestrian Safety PSA: “Day In The Life of A Jaywalker,” Vista del Lago High School

Best Safe Driving PSA: “The Fading Memory,” Golden Valley High School

Best Drowsy Driving PSA: “Too Busy To Be Tired,” Ramona High School