ANNOUNCING THE WINNERS
In honor of National Posttraumatic Growth Day (June 13th) we launched Hero’s Journey: The Posttraumatic Growth Story Challenge to celebrate the power of storytelling to shift perspectives, build connection, and illuminate the transformative potential of adversity.
We invited filmmakers from around the world to submit short films (20 minutes or less) that bring Posttraumatic Growth (PTG) to life – showing how struggle can lead to strength, purpose, and renewed connection. The response was incredible.
From dozens of inspiring submissions, our jury selected eight winning films that exemplify the spirit and science of PTG. In addition to the top three prizes, we introduced the PTG Domain Awards, honoring five additional storytellers whose films beautifully explore key domains of Posttraumatic Growth:
Personal Strength, Deeper Relationships, New Possibilities, Appreciation of Life, and Spiritual/Existential Change.
Watch the winning films below and see how storytelling can be a powerful force for healing, hope, and growth.
GRAND PRIZE
Second Chance Rescue
Directed by Wray Sinclair
LA based director Wray Sinclair’s, moving portrait of Jensen Ramos, who was sentenced to three life terms at age 17. His life began to transform when a dog rescue program introduced him to purpose, compassion, and the courage to change. In 2020 Governor Gavin Newsom commuted his sentence giving him a second chance at redemption. Now a father, husband, and business owner, Ramos trains dogs and mentors others, living proof that redemption is possible.
2ND PLACE
The Inadequacy of Language in Life After Death
Directed by Lillie Wojcik Foster
New York based director Lillie Wojcik Foster’s deeply personal meditation on grief and memory, the film blends original music, voiceover, and mixed visuals to process the loss of the filmmaker’s mother to cancer and the endurance that followed.
3RD PLACE
No Leg Power
Directed by Tristan Ortiz
Florida based Director Tristan Ortiz‘ powerful story of CJ Bellamy, a talented athlete with hopes of making the NBA until a tragic accident changed everything. That could have been the end of his story, but, for CJ, being wheelchair bound was the start of a new one. Through the fitness regimen CrossFit CJ found resilience, and purpose.
PTG DOMAIN AWARDS
The Art of Weightlessness
(New Possibilities)
Directed by Moshe Mahler
This powerful short film tells the true story of Bill Shannon—an artist who transformed life on crutches into a groundbreaking dance practice. From childhood challenges to international acclaim, Shannon’s journey is a stunning example of personal evolution.
Three Stripes and Fifty Years Ago
(Appreciation for Life)
Directed by the Trisha Nguyen
A deeply personal tribute to the filmmaker’s mother, a Vietnamese refugee who rebuilt her life after the Fall of Saigon. Her journey—from surviving war to owning a business—stands as a testament to perseverance, reinvention, and quiet triumph.
DeafBlind Potter
(New Possibilities, Spiritual/Existential Change)
Directed by Josh Herzog
Diagnosed with Usher Syndrome Type II, Kelvin faced the challenges of becoming deafblind in early adulthood. Through the transformative power of pottery, he found healing, purpose, and a renewed connection to himself and the world.
Second Response
(Deeper Relationships)
Directed by Tim Yao
During the devastating 2025 LA Wildfires, a group of community volunteers came together to support first responders. Second Response captures the strength that emerges in times of crisis—and the deep connections that grow when people show up for one another.
To learn more about PTG, visit our resource library and bouldercrest.org
JURY
Ken Falke
Founder and Chairman,
Boulder Crest Foundation
Ken Falke is a retired Master Chief Petty Officer with 21 years of service in the U.S. Navy Special Operations Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) community. A highly respected leader, Ken executed thousands of high-risk operations and made over 1,000 parachute jumps and underwater military dives. As a serial entrepreneur, he founded four companies, including A-T Solutions, a global leader in counter-terrorism training and consulting, recognized by Inc. 500 and Entrepreneur Magazine. He also founded the Boulder Crest Foundation, dedicated to supporting veterans and their families through Posttraumatic Growth.
Wendy Finerman
Producer
Wendy Finerman is an independent film and television producer. She made history in 1994 as the first solo female producer to win the Academy Award for Best Picture with Forrest Gump, which earned six Oscars and remains one of the highest-grossing films of all time. Her credits include The Devil Wears Prada, P.S. I Love You, Stepmom, and Drumline, with her films collectively grossing over $1.6 billion worldwide. She has received a BAFTA Award and 160 award nominations throughout her career. Up next: The Devil Wears Prada 2.
Taryn Greene, Ph.D.
Director of Research,
Boulder Crest Institute, Health Psychologist
A former Air Force Intelligence Officer and two-tour Afghanistan veteran, Taryn Greene is a Health Psychologist specializing in resilience, trauma recovery, and PTG. She has published research with Dr. Tedeschi and Dr. Moore on fostering PTG in first responders, military members, and veterans. Her expertise includes positive psychology, trauma-informed care, and program evaluation, with a focus on applied research for military, refugee, and immigrant communities overcoming adversity.
Jon Huertas
Actor & Director
Jon Huertas is an actor, director, and producer known for his roles as Miguel Rivas in This Is Us (NBC) and Detective Javier Esposito in Castle (ABC). He also starred as Sgt. Tony “Poke” Espera in HBO’s Generation Kill, a role he considers his most meaningful as a military veteran. As a filmmaker, Jon has directed episodes of Ballard (Amazon), Tracker (CBS), The Irrational (NBC), The Rookie (ABC), The Company You Keep (ABC), and more. He produces narrative and documentary films and is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Recently, he produced Lena Headey’s feature debut The Trap and is set to direct Rock Bottom Express and Defensas.
Josh Plasse
Actor, Writer, Producer
Josh Plasse is an actor, writer, and producer known for his dynamic roles in films like Wildflower and The Resurrection of Charles Manson, as well as RIDE, which he wrote, produced, and starred in. Originally pursuing a career in homeland security and criminal justice, Josh discovered his passion for storytelling while studying theater in college. Growing up in Virginia Beach with a Navy SEAL father and a Physician’s Assistant mother, his diverse experiences continue to shape his authentic approach to filmmaking. His notable television credits include ¡Carly, Grey’s Anatomy, All American, The Baxters, and Tyler Perry’s All the Queen’s Men. With a dedication to creating impactful stories that inspire and amplify diverse voices, Josh continues to leave his mark in the entertainment industry.
Jake Allyn
Writer, Actor, Director
A true multi-hyphenate, Jake Allyn is currently filming Clean Hands, his second directorial feature, starring Zach Braff and Esther McGregor. His debut film, Ride, which he co-wrote and starred in, streams on Paramount+ and won Variety’s “Critic’s Pick” and the Western Heritage Award for Best Movie. As an actor, Jake will next appear in HBO’s Emmy-winning The Last of Us and currently recurs on CBS’s S.W.A.T.. He has also starred in The Baxters on Amazon Prime, appeared in Venom: The Last Dance, and led IFC’s No Man’s Land alongside Andie MacDowell and George Lopez.
J.R. Martinez
US Army Veteran, Actor, Author, Speaker
J.R. Martinez is an Army veteran, burn survivor, actor, motivational speaker, New York Times best-selling author, podcast host, and Dancing with the Stars season 13 winner. J.R. has traveled the world speaking with troops at various bases and has served as a keynote speaker for numerous Fortune 500 companies, non-profits, associations, and universities. J.R. devotes himself to spreading his message of resilience and optimism.
Matt Iseman
Comedian; Host
LORI MCCREARY
Producer
Lori McCreary is the CEO of Revelations Entertainment, the company she co-founded with Morgan Freeman to produce truth-driven film and TV content. A producer and UCLA-trained computer scientist, McCreary has credits ranging from Invictus and Madam Secretary to The Story of God and the upcoming Rendezvous with Rama directed by Denis Villeneuve. A pioneer in digital distribution, she co-launched the first streaming service, ClickStar, and has long championed the intersection of storytelling and emerging tech, including VR and AI. McCreary is President Emeritus of the PGA and serves on the AFI Board of Trustees.
SHAKIRA BARRERA
Actor
Shakira Barrera is an actress, dancer, and producer from Englewood, New Jersey. She is best known for her role as “Yolanda” aka “Yo-Yo” on Netflix’s Emmy-nominated Glow (2018), for which she and the rest of the cast received a Screen Actors Guild nomination. Shakira graduated from Rutgers University with a B.F.A. in Dance from the Mason Gross School of the Arts in New Brunswick, New Jersey. She will next appear in Marvel’s highly anticipated series Ironheart.
