Local teens among winners of national youth film contest

EducationNonprofit
Written By Adam Russo

Left to right: Caleb Jesse and Daniel Ewer, City High Middle School

Mosaic Film Experience, a Grand Rapids-based nonprofit, has announced the 10 winners of Nourishing Narratives: Cultivating Youth Stories For Change—a national mobile film competition created in collaboration with Newman's Own Foundation. Among the honorees are Caleb Jesse and Daniel Ewer, a team of winners from City High Middle School. The competition, open to youth ages 10–18 nationwide, amplifies youth voices on the concept of food justice and highlights the need for a food system that is fair, ethical, humane, and equitable for all.

Based in Westport, Connecticut, Newman's Own Foundation is the private grantmaking foundation started by legendary actor Paul Newman, whose mission is to nourish and transform the lives of children who face adversity. The competition launched earlier this year in celebration of what would have been Paul Newman's 100th birthday, honoring his legacy by empowering young voices to advocate for food justice through storytelling.

Youth from all across the US captured powerful stories about food challenges in their communities, inspiring people or projects using food to make a difference, and what it looks like when we live in a world with a food system that works for all. The creators submitted films – filmed, edited, and uploaded entirely on mobile devices – up to three minutes in length that featured the theme of food justice and reimagined what a just, equitable, and fair food system for all looks like. A diverse jury featuring esteemed food justice leaders, film industry professionals, and media from NPR, NBC Nightly News, TIME for Kids, The Ten News, and others selected the top 10.

Each of the 10 winners will receive a $1,000 award and a prize package to further support their efforts in championing food justice and amplifying their creative voices. Winners and guardians will be honored at a special screening and awards ceremony at Paramount Theatre in Los Angeles on August 2, 2025, where their films will be showcased to an audience of industry professionals and community leaders.

"The stories these young filmmakers have told are powerful, creative, and deeply necessary," said Skot Welch, President and Founder of Mosaic Film Experience. "This competition reflects what Mosaic is all about, giving youth the tools and platform to tell their meaningful stories, explore their creativity, and realize the influence they already have to shape the world around them."

The list of winners includes:

"This experience has helped us learn how to convey important messages through film, and it's given us a great boost of confidence in our filmmaking abilities for future contests and classes," said Caleb Jesse.

Young filmmakers explored topics ranging from the availability of food justice and equity, social inequality and structural barriers, community empowerment and education, sustainability and growing techniques, food waste and rising food costs, social media's impact on how we eat, our responsibility to help others access healthy food, and more.

"We're delighted to work with Mosaic Film Experiences to give a platform to young people who are passionate about food justice," said Alex Amouyel, President and CEO of Newman's Own Foundation. "At Newman's Own Foundation, we believe that many solutions start at the community level, and bringing youth voices into the conversation is a key ingredient for change." 

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