Sue Crothers leads the annual One Earth Young Filmmakers Contest Awards at Chicago’s Gene Siskel Film Center in September 2023. All photos by Gloria Araya Photography.
By Lisa Biehle Files
Since 2013, Sue Crothers founded and has led the One Earth Young Filmmakers Contest from a local competition with a handful of submissions to a highly competitive, respected, international competition. Part of this success was her focus on the right subject at the right time, but along the way, Crothers made crucial choices to move this youth filmmaking challenge forward.
Q: Last year, the One Earth Young Filmmakers Contest went global. How do you feel about this decision and why?
A: Climate change is a global crisis therefore inviting youth from across the globe was a natural progression and what a great result: We received amazing submissions and had award winning films from Mexico, Taiwan, Brazil and Australia as well as the US.
Q: How many countries participated in the 2023 One Earth Young Filmmakers Contest, and were there any surprises?
A: We received entries from 45 countries. This shows how much our contest resonates with young filmmakers around the world. I think the biggest surprise was that two of the winners flew into Chicago from Brazil and Mexico for our Awards weekend. It was very exciting. And the nicest surprise was the esteemed Dr. Jane Goodall’s participation: she actually opened our awards event on screen!
Sue Crothers prepares winners before the awards event begins in September 2023.
Q: There are prizes at each age level from $100 to $1000 (including scholarships), but you spearheaded adding 10 new $500 Environmental Activism Awards. Tell us more about those.
A: The Environmental Action Awards are a wonderful way to connect our winners with climate change activists and in turn to elevate the work of environmental organizations that are out there daily trying to save our planet. Organizations like Jane Goodall Institute, the Sierra Club or more local organizations like Wild Ones can sponsor a film that speaks to their mission and use that film to promote their work. In turn the filmmaker gains the opportunity for more exposure for their film.
Q: What is the secret sauce to the success of the One Earth Young Filmmakers Contest?
A: One ingredient in our secret sauce is the depth we go to elevate the filmmakers. Being a winner is just the beginning of our relationship. We employ our filmmakers to create our content and lead our workshops. We connect them to our networks and to each other.
The other ingredient is our team. We have a great team that complements each other and are really dedicated. We love what we do!
Q: This is like asking if you have a favorite child, but are there any films that you will never forget? They just stand out in your mind?
A: Yes that really is like asking me to choose my favorite offspring. It is NOT possible. But I’ll offer some of the most memorable for me. “Eyes” from 2021 was just an incredible film. Last year’s film “My Brand New Car (password AN2023)” didn’t even need dialogue to be very relatable and powerful. ”Spell of the West” from 2019 still remains one of the most memorable animations.
The One Earth Young Filmmakers Contest deadline is June 25, 2024. Learn more here. And mark your calendars for the 2024 Awards on September 22, at Gene Siskel Film Center. Winning films will be screened.
From right to left, Contest Founding Director Sue Crothers with many 2023 prize winners; teacher Alexandre Juruena, Andrew Older, Asiana Spaw, George Hu, Hasan Muhammad, Neo Sky James, Gerardo Tony Godinez, Sarah Glees, Paulina Verdalet, Ian Morales, and Program Director Lisa Biehle Files. To see the 2023 winning films, go here.