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The Shine Global Resilience Awards recognize and celebrate the films and filmmakers that highlight the resilience and strength of children in the face of adversity. In the four years since the Resilience Awards launched, Shine Global has supported 41+ films and 7 film festivals and organizations, providing over $100,000 in direct cash support in addition to in-kind services and support. The awards are open to films of any genre that showcase children overcoming challenges and demonstrate their resilience, courage, and determination. Shine Global has partnered with several festivals to award prizes throughout the year and will also present a grand prize of $10,000 at our Annual Gala in New York City in September. For 2026, Shine Global is reviewing a curated group of films.

2026 Shine Global Resilience Award Winners

Remaining Native

Winner of the Unstoppable Kids Prize for family-friendly films at the 2026 New York International Children’s Film Festival

Remaining Native follows 17-year-old Native American runner Ku Stevens as he pursues his dream of becoming a collegiate athlete while grappling with his heritage and the legacy of his great-grandfather’s escape from the Stewart Indian School.

Directed by Paige Bethman | Producers: Judd Ehrlich and Jessica Epstein | 85 min | USA | 2025

Winner Children’s Resilience in Disability Stories Award at 2026 ReelAbilities Film Festival

Sūnna (which means “listen” in Hindi) tells the story of Lakshmi, a young girl musician whose sudden hearing loss shatters her sense of identity. Through memory, touch, and cultural connection, she begins to reclaim both her music and herself.

Written and Directed by Rahda Mehta | Produced by Pallavi Sastry | 11 min | USA | 2026

Jury Members

Previous Resilience Award Jury Members include:
Jill Burkhart, VP of Unscripted Programming for MGM+
Maria Perez Brown, Head of Kids & Family, TIME Studios
Anita Chandra, VP and Director of Social and Economic Well-Being, RAND Corporation
Tyler Coates, Awards Editor at The Hollywood Reporter
Scott Feinberg, Executive Editor of Awards Coverage at The Hollywood Reporter
Amy Kennedy, child rights activist and Democratic congressional candidate
Anita Raswant, Lead Programmer at Nantucket Film Festival
Jana Sue Memel, Academy-Award winning producer
Eden Sapir, Campaign and Grassroots Partnership Manager at Picture Motion
Greg Sorvig, Artistic Director of Heartland Film
Amanda Spain, VP Longform Acquisitions at MSNBC Films
Kay Wilson Stallings, Executive Vice President, Chief Creative Development and Production Officer for Sesame Workshop
Brian Walker, CEO Picture Motion

In the Words of Attendees and Filmmakers

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“It reminded me why I love being in the [film] industry and how we play a role in positive change… Shine Global did that! So thank you”
– 2023 LA Awards Ceremony Attendee

“In all the years I have been making films and attending festivals, Shine Global’s Awards stands out as one of the greatest experiences I’ve had so far.”
– David Petersen, Director, LIFT

“It was an inspirational experience and reminds me of the bigger things in the world that need help and support… What you do reinvigorates my hope that we can make a difference in children’s’ lives.”
– 2023 LA Awards Ceremony Attendee

Film Festival and Organization Partnerships

Shine Global and Heartland Film have partnered to present the Spotlight: Children’s Resilience program at the Indy Shorts International Film Festival and award the $2,500 Short Film Prize.

All short film submissions should be submitted directly to Indy Shorts International Film Festival: https://filmfreeway.com/HeartlandFilmIndyShorts

Reel Abilities is dedicated to promoting awareness and appreciation of the lives, stories, and artistic expressions of people with disabilities. Shine Global is presenting a $2,500 prize for a project demonstrating the resilience of children withdisabiltieis

Montclair Film and Shine Global are presenting two prizes for student filmmakers participating in Montclair Film Education’s annual Emerging Filmmaker Competition (EFC). An award of $500 will be granted to the winning film in a new filmmaking category focused on resilience, and another cash prize of $500 will be awarded to the EFC’s Grand Prize winning film.

This prize is given to a film with outstanding storytelling that effectively portrays the resilience and strength of children and young people.

This collaboration establishes a special prize for filmmakers participating in the New York International Children’s Film Festival, with an Unstoppable Kids Prize award of $2,500 to the winning film, intended for youth audiences, that highlights children’s resilience.

This collaboration establishes a documentary prize for filmmakers participating in the Sheffield DocFest.

Shine Global is proud to partner with NewFilmmakers LA to present an annual prize.

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