Calling all Filmmakers & Content Creators
Create a compelling video on the theme of Posttraumatic Growth for a chance to win $10,000
$10,000 Grand Prize
$5,000 2nd Place · $2,500 3rd Place ·
5x “PTG” $1000 prizes
MENTORSHIP
One-on-One mentorship with industry professionals
SCREENING
Your work screened at Soho House New York
Submissions close: May 23, 2025
Submissions open:
April 4, 2025
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.
Additional jury members to be announced soon.
THE FINE PRINT
AWARDS:
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$10,000 — First Place
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$5,000 — Second Place
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$2,500 — Third Place
THE PTG AWARDS:
- $1000 — The Appreciation for Life Award – Honoring stories that celebrate a renewed sense of gratitude and a deeper appreciation for life’s moments after adversity.
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$1000 — Deeper Relationship Award: Recognizing narratives that highlight the power of connection, empathy, and strengthened relationships in the wake of challenges.
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$1000 — The New Possibilities Award: For creators who explore how adversity can lead to unexpected opportunities, new paths, or reimagined futures.
- $1000 — The Personal Strength Award: Celebrating stories that showcase determination and the discovery of inner strength through hardship.
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$1000 — The Spiritual & Existential Change Award: Awarded to films that reflect profound shifts in perspective, meaning-making, or personal belief systems following trauma.
Top three winners will receive a screening of their films at Soho House.
Additional in-kind prizes include mentorship sessions with industry professionals, media exposure, and sponsored creative tools.
TIMELINE:
- April 4th: Submissions open
- April 4th – May 23rd: Submission Period
- May 30th – June 12th: Public Voting & Judging
- June 13th: Winners Announced
ELIGIBILITY:
- Must be 18+ to submit
- Must be a legal resident of the United States
- Videos must explore themes of Posttraumatic Growth
- Videos must be 10 minutes or less in length
- Submission must be video content – short film, testimonial, abstract, animated content is all welcome.
- Rules & Regulations
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS:
- Brief description of the work and how it relates to Posttraumatic Growth
- Video upload or link
- You must agree to the rules and regulation (link)
SELECTION CRITERIA:
- Creativity and originality
- Storytelling
- How well the piece embodies Posttraumatic Growth
- Potential impact and resonance with audience
FAQ
What is Posttraumatic Growth (PTG)?
Posttraumatic Growth (PTG) is the science of transforming struggle into strength. It’s the process of finding new purpose, deeper relationships, and greater personal growth in the aftermath of adversity.
Developed by psychologists, including Dr. Richard Tedeschi, the co-founder of PTG and the Executive Director of the Boulder Crest Foundation Institute for PTG, this powerful framework has been brought to life through Boulder Crest Foundation’s work. They’ve taken the science of PTG and developed, delivered, researched, evaluated, and scaled programs that help people not just recover from life’s challenges, but emerge stronger, more connected, and more inspired than before.
Through evidence-based training, transformative programs, and ongoing research, Boulder Crest is leading the way in helping individuals and communities embrace growth and build lives of meaning and impact.
Who can enter?
The contest is open to creators in the United States who are 18+ years of age, regardless of professional experience. Whether you’re an emerging filmmaker, an experienced storyteller, or a first-time content creator, we encourage you to submit your vision of posttraumatic growth.
What kind of content can I submit?
We welcome all forms of short video content that embody the themes and principles of PTG, including:
- Narrative short films (fiction or nonfiction)
- Personal or third-person testimonials
- Experimental or abstract storytelling
- Animation or mixed media pieces
Videos must be no longer than 10 minutes and must align with the mission of the contest, promoting growth, transformation, and meaning-making after struggle.
How does judging work?
All submitted videos will be reviewed by a panel of judges and evaluated based on storytelling, creativity, and how well they explore the theme. The top-scoring entries will be showcased for public voting from May 30th to June 6th, with audience votes contributing 25% to the final score. After public voting, the jury will make their final selections, and winners will be announced on June 13th.
Can I submit a previously released video?
Do I retain the rights to my video?
Yes! You maintain full ownership of your work. By submitting, you grant Boulder Crest and Choose Growth a non-exclusive right to share your video on their website and social media channels to help promote the contest and the message of PTG.
How do I enter?
Register to get notified when submissions open!
Where can I get more information?
Check back here for updates, register to receive more information, and follow us on social media @ChooseGrowthOrg for inspiration and announcements!
