9th Annual Streets, Art, SAFE Film and Poster Competition: A New Canvas for Youth Education
What’s new?
On May 3rd, 2025, one of SAFE’s most celebrated educational programs returned for its 9th year! Known for showcasing Public Service Announcement (PSA) short films by high school students from across California and other States— it returned with a powerful twist.
Traditionally focused on youth-made PSA films that explore traffic safety topics, this year’s edition introduced something new: original poster designs. The addition expanded the creative scope of the event and gave students a fresh way to raise their voices—and their visuals—on what safe streets should look like for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers alike.
It also launched “encouragement categories”—topics focused on riding a bike, walking, or taking transit. These modes of transportation, in and of themselves, help create safer streets.
“Your hard work made me laugh and cry. It gave me goosebumps and made me cheer. Most of all, I am proud of what you’ve learned here and of your ability to use art to make a difference. Thank you, thank you, thank you. While winners will be announced, there are no losers here. Every submission is part of a powerful movement to save lives—and that’s a win.”
Record Growth and New Voices
The competition wasn’t just bigger this year—it was bolder, more creative, and more inclusive than ever.
This year, over 1,000 students from 46 schools joined the movement—nearly double last year’s participation. Submissions jumped to 395 entries, and the final awards ceremony event attendance grew by over 40%. That’s more students learning and advocating, more schools engaging, and more people showing up to listen!
And it certainly wasn’t just Los Angeles. Students participated from all across California—and beyond. We saw entries from San Diego, Kern, San Bernardino, Riverside, Orange County, Ventura, Solano County, and even as far as Texas, Florida, Arizona, and Michigan.
Posters Make Their Debut
The poster competition turned out to be a game-changer. For the first time, SAFE opened the competition to poster designs, giving students another powerful way to learn and speak out about street safety.
And the response? Huge.
With 231 students submitting visual designs from 21 schools, the posters brought a new kind of immediacy to the campaign: bold statements, striking imagery, and messages you couldn’t scroll past. Whether it was a crosswalk turned into a canvas or a warning sign transformed into a call to action, students proved that design can drive awareness just as powerfully as film.
From Headlines to Heartbeats: Meet the Poster Winners of 2025
This year’s debut poster competition wasn’t just a new addition—it became one of the most powerful storytelling platforms in the entire event.
Students turned statistics into emotion, rules into reflections, and everyday street choices into bold calls to action. Leading the way was Cypress High School, whose students swept several categories with a series of standout posters that blended artistic technique, impactful messaging, and street-smart research.
Here’s a look at the winners who turned ink and ideas into advocacy:
Cypress High School
“One Drink Changes Everything”
– Best PSA Gold
Compton Early College
“Walk It Out“
– Best PSA Bronze, Best Encouragement Special Award Bronze, Best Use of Typography.
Cypress High School
“Connect LA, One Ride at a Time”
– Best Encouragement Special Award Bronze, Best Layout
Claremont High School
“Drunk Driving Kills“
– Best Originality and Creativity, Most Dramatic PSA.
University High School Charter
“Because You Can’t Bubblewrap Everyone“
– Best PSA Silver, AAA Pedestrian Safety Special Award Gold, Best Use of an Original Photo
The SEED School of Los Angeles
“Sober Drive or Stay Alive”
– Best Driving Under the Influence.
Stories on Screen: 2025 Film Winners
From animation to raw drama, this year’s film entries pushed the boundaries of student storytelling. Across genres and styles, young filmmakers delivered powerful messages on street safety, responsibility, and the real-life consequences of everyday choices.
Leading the winners was Valencia High School, which stood out with A Drive to Nowhere, earning Best PSA Gold, along with awards for Originality, Creativity, and Cinematography. Their short film wasn’t just visually strong—it told a story that stuck with viewers.
Other standout films included:
Moments That Mattered
LA Center Studios opened its doors to students for a behind-the-scenes tour of its professional facilities. For many, it was their first time stepping into a real studio environment—a glimpse of where their creativity could take them.
The student team for “A Drive to Nowhere”, lead by Dom Grzecka stated:
“Our team chose to create this PSA to realistically capture the final moments a driver experiences before a fatal collision. We wanted to show how quickly everything can change because of a small mistake and the emotions that come with it. When Dom Grzecka was hit by a car in 2023, he experienced a similar feeling, which helped shape our vision for this PSA.”
One student, Gracen Matai Mayers, a senior at de Toledo High School, submitted the PSA “If Only”; it won Best PSA Silver in this year’s competition:
I chose to create this PSA because it has a deeply personal connection to me. A close family friend died while drunk with friends on New Year’s Eve due to irresponsible drinking. He was killed in the early hours of New Year's Day. I was also impacted by a student from my high school (de Toledo) who died at the hands of a reckless driver. Like me, this student was really into movie making. These events have caused me to want to use my passion for filmmaking to make PSAs that speak out against drunk driving. As a senior, I want to create something that will have a lasting impression on high school students before I move on to college.
There was also a powerful moment of community and teamwork: one student with a disability, Aaron Phelps, developed a thoughtful concept for an animated short film, and with the support of a friend, Gianna Jayde Mandapal, they brought it to life together. Their collaboration resulted in a winning piece that moved the audience deeply.
When their story was shared, the room erupted in applause, followed by a standing ovation and a heartfelt message of support for them both.
“I wrote the script for “All Wheels Deserve Respect: Wheelchair Safety” because I am a teenager with a physical disability. I was born with Spinal Muscular Atrophy, or SMA, which results in severe muscle weakness. I travel entirely by wheelchair. I noticed that few public service announcements feature persons with disabilities and the challenges they might face in everyday life. I have never seen a PSA about traffic safety for people in wheelchairs, even though they travel the same streets as walking people and automobiles. The fact that their lower height makes wheelchairs less visible to cars is a major problem. I wanted to make a PSA that took on this problem. I want to thank my animator, Gianna, for their great work in helping me with the film.”
These stories are at the core of what this program is about: creativity, collaboration, and the belief that everyone’s voice—no matter their ability, background, or medium—deserves to be heard.
Looking Ahead
The 2024/25 Streets, Art, SAFE Film and Poster Competitions reminded us of what’s possible when young people are given the knowledge, space—and the trust—to express their vision for safer, more inclusive streets.
From emotional storytelling to striking design, this year’s entries weren’t just creative—they were urgent, informed, and deeply personal.
If this inspired you or someone you know to get involved, registration for the 2026 competition opens in August 2025. Whether you're a student, teacher, or youth leader, be part of something meaningful.
