The Mosaic Film Experience and Newman's Own Foundation announce the winners of the second annual Nourishing Narratives: Cultivating Youth Stories for Change. A national youth mobile film competition that explores food justice through storytelling, guests in studio share the experience.

Abigail Cooper and Avery Walker won for their film, “Avery & Abi Creating Better Food Futures.” The competition was presented by Michigan-based nonprofit Mosaic Film Experience and Newman’s Own Foundation.

The 2026 Nourishing Narratives winner celebration culminated Saturday, Aug. 15, bringing together Nourishing Narratives winners and their families, educators, filmmakers, food justice leaders, and community partners for an afternoon centered on the creativity and perspectives of this year’s student storytellers.

The 2026 Nourishing Narratives winner celebration kicked off Friday, Aug. 14, in Detroit, bringing together youth filmmakers from across the country, educators, food advocates and film professionals for an evening exploring how storytelling can help create better food futures.

Nourishing Narratives invites youth ages 13 to 18 from across the United States to explore food justice through short films created entirely on mobile devices.

One winner from Michigan was announced in the second annual Nourishing Narratives: Cultivating Youth Stories for Change contest.

Mosaic Film Experience and Newman’s Own Foundation today announced the winners of the second annual Nourishing Narratives: Cultivating Youth Stories for Change, a national youth mobile film competition that explores food justice through storytelling.

Students are encouraged to explore real-world solutions, highlight individuals and organizations making a difference, and reimagine a more equitable food system.

The event featured winning films from Nourishing Narratives: Youth Stories for Change, a national mobile film competition created by Grand Rapids-based Mosaic Film Experience in collaboration with Newman’s Own Foundation

Created by students Morgan Hawkins and Sukey Hayden of D.C. International School, “Food Justice East of the Anacostia River” explores Fresh Food Factory, a Black woman–owned business working to combat food apartheid in Southeast D.C.

Josiah said he wanted his film to show other students like him what's possible when they believe in themselves and are given the platform to share their stories.

The competition encourages students to explore real-world solutions, spotlight individuals and organizations making a difference, and reimagine a fair food system for all.

The event, part of the national Nourishing Narratives mobile film competition, brought together student filmmakers, educators, food advocates, nonprofit leaders, and national media professionals for a dynamic conversation that explored how youth storytelling can drive awareness, advocacy, and change. Here are five takeaways from the evening.

A Paul Laurence Dunbar High School student recently earned national recognition for his short film on food insecurity. Seventeen-year-old Jonathan Conley was one of 10 winners of the nationwide “Mosaic Film Experience: Nourishing Narratives” competition. The competition prompts kids, ages 10-18, around the country to produce mobile films about food justice.

Mosaic Film Experience is a Grand Rapids non-profit that empowers young storytellers through filmmaking. In collaboration with Newman's Own Foundation, "Nourishing Narratives: Cultivating Youth Stories For Change" is a mobile film competition for children aged 10 through 18, inviting these young creatives to share stories about food justice and the impact it has on our changing world.

Two seniors at Grand Rapids City High School won a nationwide student film contest for their short film about food insecurity, earning them $1,000 and a trip to Hollywood.

When Grand Rapids teens Caleb Jesse and Daniel Ewer picked up their smartphones to make a film about food access, they weren’t just aiming to create something artistic. They were documenting a reality many of their peers live every day: that healthy, affordable food isn’t always easy to come by.

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.

Grand Rapids teens Caleb Jesse and Daniel Ewer have been named top ten winners in a national youth film competition focused on food justice. The duo earned recognition for their short film Apples, a creative, thought-provoking piece that explores the intersection of equity, access, and community through the lens of food.

The Nourishing Narratives Mobile Film Competition has a local winner who is bringing awareness to the food desert. Morgan Hawkins, who is from the area, spoke with Kidd about why this topic is so important to her and what she learned. Morgan is set to head to L.A. next month to receive her award.