Who We Are
The Golden Lion Awards is produced and directed by the Academy of Cinematic Arts, a Christian, arts/education nonprofit that is committed to helping students discover their stories through digital storytelling as well as providing youth with educational programming, competition, award recognition, social experiences, and a sense of community.
The film festival is open to high school and middle school students living in the 12 Midwest states and locations within 500 miles of Cincinnati. Locations include the following:
| Midwest States | Within 500 miles of Cincinnati |
|---|---|
| Ohio | Alabama |
| Illinois | Arkansas |
| Indiana | Delaware |
| Iowa | Georgia |
| Kansas | Kentucky |
| Michigan | Maryland |
| Minnesota | Mississippi |
| Missouri | North Carolina |
| Nebraska | New Jersey |
| North Dakota | New York |
| South Dakota | Pennsylvania |
| Wisconsin | South Carolina |
| Tennessee | |
| Virginia | |
| West Virginia |
Our Inspiration
We know that stories change lives. We know that people stretch, grow, feel, change, inspire, and innovate because of stories. We become our best selves, witness our worst, and truly live our lives through stories. When the next generation tells stories well, they become empowered and elevate their communities in ways we can’t even begin to imagine.