FOCUS on IMPACT STUDENT ART COMPETITION & EXHIBIT
Part of the San Diego International Film Festival’s FOCUS on Impact Education Program, the Student Art Competition & Exhibit provides young artists with a platform to explore complex social issues through creative expression. The FOCUS initiative engages students year-round with short-film screenings, guided curriculum, and conversations with filmmakers and subject-matter experts — fostering dialogue, empathy, and social awareness through both art and film.
⭐️ Congratulations to the finalists of the 2025 Student Art Finalists
and winner, Matisse Kinney for her piece ‘Reaching In’!⭐️
2025 WINNER
ART TITLE: Reaching In
MEDIUM: Acrylic Paine
ARTIST/STUDENT: Matisse Kinney
Grade: 9
School: San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts
Teacher: Terisa James
STUDENT STATEMENT
This painting is a visual representation of how it feels for me to go through depression and start to come out of it. The blue represents someone who is stuck in sadness and feels alone. The warm colored figure, full of reds, oranges, and yellows, represents something much more powerful and stands for strength, growth, and healing. She could be part of ourselves and that fighting to get better, or someone who helps and makes us feel seen and supported. When the warm figure places a hand on the blue figure’s shoulder, the color starts to spread, showing the moment when things begin to change. This small gesture represents support, whether it comes from someone else or from within ourselves. The painting is about how, even in dark times, growth and healing are possible.
Student Art Competition & Exhibit (Year 2)
Each year, participating students create original artwork that sparks conversation around critical social impact topics—climate change; environmental pollution (ocean, land, plastic, soil, thermal); autism and neurodiversity; immigration and refugee experiences; human rights; and more.
Finalists for the 2025 competition were announced at our July16th Film Insider Series screening . Congratulations to these talented young artists from participating San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD) schools!
Reaching In — Matisse Kinney
Hear Our Voice — Lorenzo Cortez
Cause & Effect — Laura Low
The Fight for Trans Rights — Jett Comer
Power and Destruction — Pepper Mueller
AI Kills Artists — Kalista Taylor
LGBTQ Rights — Cell Rojas
The Problem — Zoe Patz
Program Reach
We’re piloting the program with a limited number of SDUSD middle and high schools and will expand in phases. The goal: highlight the creative, analytical, and advocacy skills students develop through visual arts while encouraging informed, respectful dialogue on today’s most pressing challenges.
Student Recognition & Awards
- Winning Artwork Integration: One student’s work will be selected to appear with the San Diego International Film Festival branding in elements of the 2025 Festival marketing campaign.
- Festival Merchandise: The winning image will be featured on select Festival merchandise sold during the 2025 Festival; proceeds benefit the FOCUS on Impact Education Program.
- Festival Invitations: All finalists are invited to attend the 2025 San Diego International Film Festival (Oct 15–19). Additional recognition opportunities may be announced.
- Winner Reveal: The winning artwork will be unveiled at the August 20 Film Insider Series screening.
Student Eligibility & Submission Format
Submission window for the 2025 cycle is now closed.
If you—or a teacher you know—would like to get a class involved in the 2026 FOCUS on Impact Education Program, sign up below to learn more and receive enrollment updates.
TEACHERS
A variety of SDUSD Critical Concepts and Learning Targets can be addressed in the visual arts curriculum when students are developing ideas and creative works for this challenge. See below for examples.
7.AMP1—Develop and apply methods and criteria to meet goals
Prof.AMP2—Apply relevant criteria to examine and revise works of art and design in progress
Prof.AME1—Investigate and respond to an aspect of everyday life using contemporary art and design practices
Acc.AME1—Redesign or design in response to contemporary issues
Acc.AME2—Use inquiry methods to investigate unfamiliar subjects through artmaking
2024 Art Competition
2024 WINNER
ART TITLE: Analogous (Body Dysmorphia)
MEDIUM: Digital drawing and collage
ARTIST/STUDENT: Jas Soto
Grade: 8
School: San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts
Teacher: Don Masse
STUDENT STATEMENT
This art explores the challenges of body dysmorphia, inspired by the unrealistic beauty standards spread by social media. This digital artwork was created using an iPad. The artist began by sketching their ideas and creating the line art in ibis Paint X. They then added color, contrast, and flowers to make the drawing stand out using Adobe Express.
Listen to Tonya Mantooth speak to the 2024 winner Jas Soto and Don Masse, Teacher at SDSCPA, during the Festival’s 2025 August Film Insider’s Screening.
Contributions in the form of donations and sponsorships, along with proceeds from festival events, are pivotal in expanding our educational outreach and nurturing local communities. Your generous support enables us to fulfill our mission of empowering future leaders to effect positive change in society.
The San Diego International Film Festival’s FOCUS on Impact Education Program is offered to teachers and schools at no cost. We extend our heartfelt gratitude for your generous contributions.
SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR EDUCATION PARTNERS
