Young filmmakers
contest Winners 2024 below

See the top, winning films below from 400 contest submissions, or read about the winners in this recent blog post. Themed “Back from the Future,” the recording from the Sept. 22 Young Filmmakers Contest Awards Celebration, hosted by previous contest winner Adam Joel, is below.

First Place Winners 2024

Elementary School Prize: $100 + $100 matching gift donated to Clean Air Task Force. About 20 students from the MagTV Program, "The Most Wonderful Choice of the Year." A film about energy and transportation. Young Filmmakers attend Magnolia Elementary School in Carlsbad, California.

Middle School Prize: $200 to keep + $200 matching gift donated to World Wildlife Fund. Plus, Award #2 West Cook Wild Ones Activism Award of $500 to keep + film posted on West Cook Wild Ones website. Mason Mirabile "Monarchs in Motion." A film about wildlife and ecosystems. Young Filmmaker attends Williamsburg Middle School in Arlington, Virginia.

High School Prize: $350 to keep + $350 matching gift donated to Dark Sky International. Riley Adler, Curran Randhawa, Dylan Wilson, and Janelle Lim. "A Dark Future." A film about wildlife and ecosystems. Young Filmmakers attend Saratoga High School in Saratoga, California.

University/College Prize: $1,000 scholarship + $1,000 matching gift donated to Rainforest Trust. Claire Riverland, Lily Newcombe, Isabella Sanderson, Spencer Cameron “Understorey.” A film about wildlife and ecosystems. Young Filmmakers attend Swinburne University in Melbourne, Australia.

Post Graduate Prize: $1,000 to keep + $1,000 matching gift donated to Plastic Pollution Coalition. Arfiyan Dewa Purnama. “Two-Level House.” A film about waste. Young Filmmaker graduated from Indonesian Institute of the Arts, Yogyakarta, Indonesia.

Sally Stovall Planet Warrior Prize for Creativity TIE: $500 + $500 matching gift donated to Beyond Plastics and Plastic Pollution Coalition. Plus, Award #2 Beyond Plastics Activism Award of $500 to keep + film posted on Beyond Plastics website. Laura Malatos and Helen Sun. “Throwaway Living.” A film about waste. Young Filmmakers graduated from University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts and New York Film Academy.

Sally Stovall Planet Warrior Prize for Creativity TIE: $500 scholarship + $500 matching gift donated to Greenpeace Australia Pacific. Bohdana Bihdan. “Ocean Monologue” A film about waste and water. Young Filmmakers attends Arts University, Plymouth, England.

Animation Prize: $1,000 scholarship + $1,000 matching gift donated to Earthjustice. Chloe Ban. “Black Tide” A film about energy, water, wildlife and ecosystems. Young Filmmaker attends Crescenta Valley High School, La Crescenta, California.

Environmental Justice Award: Loyola University Chicago (guided by Professor John C.P. Goheen, students are Michael Rogowski, Taylor Zielenbach, Robert Kennedy, and Sanjay Numbiar, alongside Kiribati youth Burangke Tebiri, Ivy Titebe, Kiatoa Uereti, Mataele Lagafaoa, Michael Motee, Rotia Uaborau, Salee Iotebwaa, Tiaon Toauriri, Tiein Taebo, and Tooma Antonio. “The Kiribati Project.” A film about climate. Local Young Filmmakers will graduate from Loyola University Chicago, Illinois.

Jane Goodall Institute Activism Award: $500 to keep + film posted on Jane Goodall Institute website. Saron Bahre. “If I could.” A film about climate. energy, transportation, waste, and water. Young Filmmaker attends Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida.

 
 

Honorable Mention 2024
Premiered virtually on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024

Animation: Agata Zych. “Anthropocene." A film about climate change, waste, wildlife and ecosystems. Filmmaker attended University of Arts, Poznań, Poland.

University level: Jack Hinz. “Foundation.” A film about food. Young Filmmaker attends Brisbane State High School in Brisbane, Australia.

Post Graduate level: Mayank Mekala. "Baton." A film about climate. Young Filmmaker attended University of California at Davis, in California.

Post Graduate level: Rachmat Kurniawan Idrus and Azyd Aqsha Madani. "The Atlantis Mussels." A film about climate and water. Young Filmmakers attended Multimedia Nusantara University, in Tangerang, Indonesia.

Elementary School level: 50 students from an Animation Workshop. “Tigers in Danger.” A film about wildlife and ecosystems. Young Filmmakers attend Escola Parque in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Film will be added soon for below:

University level: Rohit Rajendra Chougule. “Urbanization.” A film about wildlife and ecosystems. Young Filmmaker attends New Art Commerce and Science College, Ahmednagar, Maharashtra, India.

Animation: Pablo Diaz De Leon Hicks. “The Blue Stag.” A film about wildlife and ecosystems. Young Filmmaker attends University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts in Los Angeles, California.

High School level: Arthur Cech. “There Was a Cedar Forest.” A film about climate, water, wildlife and ecosystems. Young Filmmaker attends homeschool while traveling around the world with his family. He is from France originally.

High School level: Ivy Tucker. “Tipping Point.” A film about climate. Young Filmmaker attends Mater Christi College, Melbourne, Australia.

Middle School level: Laralyn Geh. “Stop Food Wastage! Let’s Create a Sustainable Environment.” A film about waste. Young Filmmaker attends Dwi Emas International School in Shah Alam, Malaysia.

Middle School level: Edith Zhou Huffman. “Magicicada.” A film about wildlife and ecosystems. Young Filmmaker attends University of Chicago Laboratory School in Chicago, Illinois.

Thank You to our 2024 Contest Jury:

Anna Lee Ackermann is an award-winning filmmaker based in Chicago. Her debut short documentary, “As We Are Planted,” explores the issue of food insecurity in Chicago and was CineYouth's 2021 Chicago Award winner, as well as a 2021 One Earth Young Filmmakers Contest Honorable Mention. Today she runs the social media channels for Broadway In Chicago, edits a podcast, shoots the occasional wedding, and continues her filmmaking as a freelancer.

Deborah Adelman taught film studies and writing courses at College of DuPage until her recent retirement. She is the co-founder of the COD Community Farm (since 2002) and Food Security Initiative, a sustainable agriculture and educational project that provides organic food for the college community. She co-taught interdisciplinary seminars combining the Environmental Humanities and Environmental Biology for 25 years, and has written and presented at conferences advocating for integrated and experiential approaches to college curriculum.

Natalia Ottolenghi Bradshaw is one of Australia’s leading arts/culture advocates and art consultants. Her advocacy includes being on the Steering Committee for 350.org producing the world’s largest artwork viewed from space, on the boards of various art and culture organizations (several as Chair), is a determined environmental activist, and knows that film can be a potent catalyst for awareness and change.

Katie Brennan is an intellectual property attorney whose clients include writers, visual and musical artists. She has served as Chair of the River Forest Sustainability Commission, and currently serves as a Village Trustee. Katie enjoys native gardening and is a keen environmentalist.

Amy Brinkman is a retired board member for The Nineteenth Century Charitable Association. She has been a volunteer/assistant for Wicker Park DIY Landscape Design Class and a "Kids Grow" program that helps young people develop a relationship with the environment and an appreciation of the arts.

Steve Bynum is the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) Manager for Chicago Public Media, the parent company of WBEZ and Chicago Sun-Times. Steve is also CEO of Worldview Solutions (WVS), which he co-founded with colleague Jerome McDonnell. WVS is a problem-seeking, independent, and justice-centered multimedia production house utilizing multiplatform and artistic storytelling, journalistic principles, and community engagement to inspire global and local public conversations.

Laurie Casey is One Earth Local Programs Director, where she does community outreach and organizing around climate and environmental justice. Before that she ran One Earth Collective's marketing communications strategy for a number of years.

Steve Cohen. A producer, investor, and attorney, Steve is the Co-Founder and Board Chair of Chicago Media Project (CMP), the innovative multifaceted philanthropic community of documentary film lovers who believe in the power of media to bring about social change. He is also the Co-Manager of Chicago Media Project Invest/Impact (CMP I/I), the equity fund side of CMP that invests recoupable equity in commercially viable documentaries. He has also co-founded the annual DOC10 Film Festival in Chicago which brings 10 cinematically powerful non-fiction films to Chicago to illustrate the power of great storytelling and its”little sister” traveling regional festival, DOC 5.

Hussain Currimbhoy is a director, producer and festival curator with over 20 years experience in the film industry. His company Master Mechanic Films has produced several award winning feature documentaries and narrative films. Hussain is the festival director of the Gåsebäck Film Festival. He is based in Helsingborg, Sweden.

Lisa Daleiden-Brugman is a certified educator with master’s degree in teaching and more than 14 years of experience developing curricula and implementing educational programs. She also has more than 10 years of school leadership experience through parent boards.

Tim DeBlois graduated from Hampshire College in 2019 with a degree in animation. He contracts for Motion Logic Studios making game animations. Tim was the animation award winner for his film “Endangered” in the One Earth Young Filmmaker’s Contest 2022. The film was also one of the Top 10 Best of the Best Films for One Earth Young Filmmakers Contest.

Colton Dixon is a recent graduate of Columbia College Chicago's film program with a focus in film editing. He works in documentary and short film and has an strong interest in environmental issues and climate change. 

Elena Fazio is a character animator based in Los Angeles who has worked for Walt Disney Animation Studios, Riot Games, and more. She is passionate about storytelling and bringing new and exciting characters to life. The most recent film she worked on was “Wish” with Walt Disney Animation Studios for their 100th year anniversary. She has worked on a variety of projects including feature film, short films, and AAA video game titles. 

Sophia Fowler is climate campaigner and digital communications specialist at Greenpeace Australia Pacific. She campaigns for renewable climate solutions and climate justice in the Pacific region, where the consequences of climate change hit hardest. Previously at Greenpeace she led creative collaborations with artists, musicians and cultural influencers.

Monica Fox has worked in the film and video industry for over 35 years. She has produced films shown on PBS and Discovery Networks, has worked with Kartemquin Films, and has worked on documentaries that span a wide range of subjects, including sustainability living, farm-to-table healthy eating, and histories of ground-breaking social justice institutions.

Paula Froehle has been a film director, visual artist, educator and entrepreneur for over 30 years. As a filmmaker, she has directed 12 films and produced over 40 media projects. As an entrepreneur, she has been involved in several startups, including Tribeca Flashpoint Media Arts College in Chicago, Opal Pictures design & film production company, Atavistic Chicago record label, and most recently, as co-founder & CEO of Chicago Media Project, a member-based organization which provides philanthropic support for social impact documentary films.

Bill Gee has worked in the food industry for over 25 years and has supported the One Earth Film Festival since its inception. He is a board member for the Sugar Beet Food Co-op, and Chicago Public Media (WBEZ), and a member of Chicago Media Project (CMP).

Tara Gupta, Forbes 30 Under 30, is a climate activist and founder of Map-Collective Inc. Raised in Northern Virginia, she studied at RISD and Georgetown, launching Map-Collective in 2020. Funded by NSF’s SBIR program, her business pioneers resource transparency to combat climate crisis. Tara was the animation award winner for her film “Lucy” in the One Earth Young Filmmaker’s Contest 2020. The film was also one of the Top 10 Best of the Best Films for One Earth Young Filmmakers Contest.

Patrick Thomas Keen is a media producer and post-production specialist. His work focuses on educational, environmental, and social advocacy campaigns. In 2020, the One Earth Film Festival partnered with Patrick to develop the Young Filmmakers Online Academy. This program is an entirely online course for middle-school-aged students to learn environmental filmmaking.

William Kim Lyons is a film aficionado and retired tech consultant with a PhD from Brown University. He is proud of his large collection of classic films on VHS and DVD, as well as his vast knowledge of music. William Kim is an exercise enthusiast, riding his bicycle up to 150 miles weekly. Additionally, he has been a minimalist (except for his film collection) for as long as he can remember. He hopes that his frugality will make a small impact to better the planet.

Jonathan Moeller is the film teacher at DePaul College Prep High School in Chicago. His courses cover production, screenwriting, editing, and film theory and history. He earned a master's degree in writing and directing for film from Columbia College in Chicago in 2016. He teaches part-time with Chicago Filmmakers in the Chicago Edgewater neighborhood and collaborates on small indie productions.

Julie Moller is an ambassador for 5 Gyres, a not-for-profit studying the effects of micro plastics in our environment. She is also trained as a Climate Reality Leader by former Vice President Al Gore’s Climate Reality Project. 

Elaine Petkovsek is an environmental engineer with over 30 years experience investigating and cleaning up contaminated properties. In her personal life she’s committed to a sustainable lifestyle, including composting, energy efficiency, and gardening with native plants.

Carin Powell is the writer and director of Liftoff, and co-founder of Signing Animation. Formerly a lead animator and fix team lead, Carin started Signing Animation with Nora Ng-Quinn in January 2020 as a way to combat the bias against Deaf/hard-of-hearing talent in the animation industry. She has had single-sided deafness since early childhood, and has long been a proponent of Deaf Gain. Through her work with Signing Animation she aims to demonstrate the singular talent of Deaf/HoH artists and the transformative power of storytelling.

Jim Rohn is associate professor in the interactive arts and media department at Columbia College Chicago. Formerly, he worked in the video game industry and also developed and illustrated comic books. Jim teaches computer and traditional animation production classes.

Jessie Wahlers is a Youth Leader for Jane Goodall's Roots & Shoots Youth Council-USA. She currently attends the University of Tampa and will be entering her final year there as a Marine Science-Bio major and student researcher. When not working on sustainability and conservation projects with her Roots & Shoots group, she is an avid film-watcher.

Karen Weigert works to bring climate solutions and equity to life. She served as the first Chief Sustainability Officer for the great city of Chicago and as a producer and writer for the documentary film Carbon Nation. She is currently the sustainability contributor for Reset on WBEZ and the Director of the Baumhart Center for Social Enterprise and Responsibility.

Risé Sanders Weir produced the documentary series America To Me and has produced and directed documentaries for MSNBC, PBS, History, National Geographic, CNBC, A&E, The Weather Channel and others. Her work has been recognized with Cinema Eye, Emmy, Hugo and Telly awards and nominations for an MPSE Golden Reel and an NAACP Image Award.

Marc Wellin is a video producer/director and the founder of Mothlight Pictures in Chicago. He's done documentary, music video and advertising work for business clients, television networks and not-for-profits. A 20-year industry veteran, Marc has won Gold and Silver Hugos at the Chicago International Film Festival, as well as Addy and Telly awards for his work.

Gary Wilson is an environmental journalist who has been commenting and writing for public media since 2011. He focuses on water issues with an emphasis on the Great Lakes, and environmental justice related to drinking water quality and affordability. He currently contributes to Detroit Public TV's Great Lakes Now initiative and Planet Detroit.

Caroline Ziv is a former network TV producer with 20 years of experience working for Good Morning America, Dateline NBC, and The Oprah Winfrey Show. While at Oprah, Caroline produced shows about where our food comes from, animal welfare—including groundbreaking shows about puppy mills and factory farming—and produced the annual Earth Day shows. Her video production company is called Big Red Bike Media. 

2023 Winners

  • Elementary School Prize: About 20students from the MagTV Program, “Back in My Day.”A film about energy and transportation. Young Filmmakers attend Magnolia Elementary School in Carlsbad, California.

  • Middle School Prize: Sufi Momin, “Human Activities Cause Declining Biodiversity: Solutions to Protect Our Ecosystems.” A film about climate, wildlife, and ecosystems. Young Filmmaker attends Westminster Schools in Atlanta, Georgia.

  • High School Prize + Jane Goodall Institute Activism Award: Students of Escola Parque. “The Speech of Txai Surui.” A film about climate. Young Filmmakers attend Escola Parque, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

  • University/College Prize: Asiana Spaw. “Microplastics: Not a Small Problem.” A film about water and waste. Young Filmmaker attends Culver Academies in Culver, Indiana.

  • Post Graduate Prize: Paulina Verdalet. “My Brand New Car.” A film about transportation. Young Filmmaker graduated from Escuela Nacional de Artes Cinematográficas UNAM, Mexico City, Mexico. Password: AN2023

  • Animation Prize TIE: Neo Sky James. “Submerged.” A film about water and waste. Young Filmmaker attends DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois.

  • Animation Prize TIE: Jody Wu. “Hope.” A film about climate. Young Filmmaker graduated from Taipei National University of the Arts, Taipei, Taiwan.

  • Sally Stovall Planet Warrior Prize for Creativity: Radheya Jegatheva. “Painting by Numbers” A film about climate, energy, food, and waste. Young Filmmaker graduated from Curtin University in Perth, Australia.

  • Green America Activism Award: Dante Downey. “Garden of Remembering.” A film about food. Young Filmmaker will graduate from Santa Fe College in Gainseville, Florida.

  • Environmental Law & Policy Center Activism Award: Sarah Glees. “The Long-Lived Effects of the Long Meadow Parkway.” A film about transportation and water. Young Filmmaker attends Elmhurst University, in Elmhurst, Illinois.

  • Honorable Mention Elementary School Level: Scott Lee. “Lost But Not Forgotten.” A film about water, waste, wildlife and ecosystems. Young Filmmaker attends Settles Bridge Elementary School in Suwanee, Georgia.

  • Honorable Mention Elementary School Level: Hasan Muhammad. “The Salt Solution.” A film about water, waste, wildlife, and ecosystems. Young Filmmaker attends Murphy Elementary School in Woodridge, Illinois.

  • Honorable Mention Middle School Level: Andrew Older. “Invasive Fish in the Des Plaines River.” A film about water, wildlife and ecosystems. Young Filmmaker attends Roosevelt Middle School in River Forest, Illinois.

  • Honorable Mention Middle School Level: Mason Mirabile. “A Reason for Hope.” A film about climate change and energy. Young Filmmakers attends Williamsburg Middle School in Arlington, Virginia.

  • Honorable Mention High School Level: Jenny Kim Ha Vu. “Voices of the Water.” A film about water, wildlife and ecosystems. Young Filmmaker attends Ocean Lakes High School, Virginia Beach, Virginia.

  • Honorable Mention High School Level: Milo Smith, Matthew Wilson, Romeo Keyser. “Expedition.” A film about energy and waste. Young Filmmakers attend Southgate Anderson High School and Grosse Ile Township Middle School. Submitted by Downriver Detroit Student Film Consortium in Wyandotte, Michigan.

  • Honorable Mention High School Level: Yoel Mesfin, Lily Mesfin, and Hannah Berhane. “A Crisis Carol.” A film about climate change and waste. Young Filmmakers attend DSST Montview High School in Denver, Colorado.

  • Honorable Mention Animation: Stanisław Maciejewski. “Happy Eggs.” A film about food and wildlife. Young Filmmaker attends Magdalena Abakanowicz University of Arts in Poznań, Poland.

  • Honorable Mention University/College Level: George Hu, Simarya Ahuja, Nicita Raam, Alexa Shuey, Caitlin Weber. “Environmental Justice.” A film about waste, water, wildlife and ecosystems. Young Filmmakers attend Saratoga High School, Saratoga, California.

  • Honorable Mention University/College Level: Gerardo Tony Godinez. “The Garden Project.” A film about wildlife and ecosystems. Young Filmmaker attends Columbia College Chicago.

  • Honorable Mention Post-Grad Level: Nia Mahran, Maged Michel Seha, Mario Seha. "Statement." A film about climate change. Young Filmmakers attended Minia University and Beni-Suef University in Egypt.

  • Honorable Mention Post-Grad Level: Oscar Adan Lopez Parres. “Who Is God?" A film about climate change, wildlife and ecosystems. Filmmaker attended Udes Universidad de Ciencias y Desarrollo, Puebla, Mexico.

2022 Winners

  • Elementary School category: Bryn Wright, “Bad Bugs.” A film about wildlife and ecosystems. Young Filmmaker attends El Camino Creek Elementary School in Carlsbad, California.

  • Middle School category: Lion Eli Birnecker. “Take Action Against Lead.” A film about water. Young Filmmaker attends home school in Evanston, Illinois.

  • High School category: Kayleen and Colsen Nguyen. “The Apocalypse.” A film about climate. Young Filmmakers attend John F. Kennedy High School and Sutter Middle School in Sacramento, California.

  • College/University category: Shannon Germaine. “Code Red: The Clean Air Act's Battle Against Climate Change.” A film about climate. Young Filmmaker attends Clonlara School, Ann Arbor, Michigan.

  • Post Graduate category: Tim DeBlois. “Endangered.” A film about wildlife and ecosystems. Young Filmmaker graduated from Hampshire University in Amherst, Massachusetts.

  • Sally Stovall Planet Warrior Prize for Creativity: Jaqueline Lucia Guerrero. “Our Generation.” A film about climate. Young Filmmaker attends Indiana Univ. Purdue Univ. in Indianapolis, Indiana.

  • Jane Goodall Institute Australia Activism Award: Elliot Bonney-Millet, Maia Jorgensen, Ashleigh Ramirez, Sophie Ravanat, Eleanor Somerville, Abbey Southern. “Koala Protection.” A film about wildlife and ecosystems. Young Filmmakers attend Griffith University in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

  • Food & Water Watch Activism Award: Jarrett Smith. “Back on the Path.” A film about wildlife and ecosystems. Young Filmmaker graduated from Full Sail University, Florida.

  • Animation Prize: Jingqi Zhang. “Hopper’s Day.” A film about water, wildlife, and ecosystems. Young Filmmaker will graduate from California Institute of the Arts in Santa Clarita, California. Password: 1234

  • Honorable Mention Elementary School level: Athena Ousley. “Cloud Chaos.” A film about wildlife and ecosystems. Young Filmmaker attends home school in Ashland, Oregon.

  • Honorable Mention Middle School level: Henry Sobel. “Bats and White Nose Syndrome.” A film about wildlife and ecosystems. Young Filmmaker attends home school in Naperville, Illinois.

  • Honorable Mention Middle School level: Destiny Ann Hardy. “Less Waste.” A film about waste. Young Filmmaker attends Emerson Middle School in Detroit, Michigan.

  • Honorable Mention Middle School level: Piper Sobel. “Pangolin Protection.” A film about wildlife and ecosystems. Young Filmmaker attends home school in Naperville, Illinois.

  • Honorable Mention Middle School level: Mason Mirabile. “Stop Pebble Mine.” A film about wildlife and ecosystems. Young Filmmakers attends Williamsburg Middle School in Arlington, Virginia.

  • Honorable Mention Middle School level: Callie Deng. “Sealing the Leak.” A film about energy, wildlife and ecosystems. Young Filmmaker attends Herbert Hoover Middle School in Potomac, Maryland.

  • Honorable High School level: Gabby Goss. “Art: A Pollution Solution.” A film about waste and water. Young Filmmaker attends Bishop O’Dowd High School, in Alameda, California.

  • Honorable Mention College level: Nathan Goswick, Mariel Mudrik, and Liam McCormick. “How Chicago’s Rapid Transit is Failing.” Young Filmmakers attend DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois.

  • Honorable Mention Post Graduate level: Stefie Gan. “Plastic Ecosystem.” A film about wildlife and ecosystems. Young Filmmaker attended U. of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts in California.

  • Honorable Mention Post Graduate level: Shaun Hu. "Islands." A film about ecosystems. Young Filmmaker attended New York U. as well as the School of Design of China Central Acad. of Fine Arts.

  • Honorable Mention Animation: Grace Cancian, Jason Chan, Sergei LeFaivre, Parker McKenzie, Spencer Steinke. “Climate Change: A Call to Action." Filmmakers attend U. of Conn. Password: climate.

  • Honorable Mention Animation: Madeleine Toomey. “My Journey Across the Ocean.” A film about waste and water. Young Filmmaker is from Maryland and attends Univ. of St. Andrews in Scotland.

  • Notable: Sezgin Yüzay. “Koku/Scent.” Young Filmmaker attends Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University in Turkey. Password: koku-scent-5.

2021 Winners

  • Elementary School category: Mason Mirabile, “Never Too Small.” A film about climate change. Young Filmmaker attends Discovery Elementary School, Arlington, Virginia.

  • Middle School category: Andy Deng. “A Turtle Tomorrow.” A film about wildlife. Young Filmmaker attends Herbert Hoover Middle School in Potomac, Maryland.

  • High School category: Shannon Germaine. “Plastic Crisis: Our Oceans in Peril.” A film about waste and water. Young Filmmaker attends Clonlara School, Ann Arbor, Michigan.

  • College category: Alex Flanagan, Zachary Goodwin, Flynn Harris, and Alex Kumph. “Eyes.” Young Filmmakers attend New York Film Academy, Los Angeles, California.

  • Post Graduate category: Ariel Song. “The Very Hungry Ducky.” Young Filmmaker graduated from Ringling College of Art and Design, Sarasota, Florida. (Now a story board artist for Dreamworks).

  • Sally Stovall Planet Warrior Prize for Creativity: Nathan Goswick. “Environmental Racism.” Young Filmmaker graduated from Joplin High School, Joplin, Missouri, and attends DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois.

  • Sally Stovall Prize for Activism: Ilan Jinich. “Fighting for Environmental Justice: The Health Crisis at the US-Mexico Border.” Young Filmmaker attends San Diego Jewish Academy, San Diego, California.

  • Wild Ones Environmental Sponsorship Award: Lena Song. “A Home for Us All.” A film about ecosystems. Young Filmmaker attends Oakton High School, Vienna, Virginia.

  • Animation Prize: TIE. Andrew Wang. “The Homo Sapien Virus.” A film about climate change. Young Filmmaker attends Adlai Stevenson High School, Buffalo Grove, Illinois.

  • Animation Prize: TIE. Jessica Bukowski. “Rescuing Our Reefs.” Young Filmmaker graduated from Tamalpais High School, Mill Valley, California, and attends University of Southern California.

  • Honorable Mention Elementary School level: Aarya Naringrekar. “Plastic Bags? No, Thanks!.” A film about waste. Young Filmmaker attends Longfellow Elementary School in Oak Park, Illinois.

  • Honorable Mention Middle School level: Jake Koren; acting by Zach Koren. “What Can We Do About Car Pollution.” A film about transportation. Young Filmmaker attends home school in Felton, California.

  • Honorable Mention Middle School level: Marin Chalmers. “Sondaica.” A film about wildlife and ecosystems. Young Filmmaker attends Roosevelt Middle School, River Forest, Illinois.

  • Honorable Mention Middle School level: Phillip Sugar. “Breaking News That Will Be Happening.” A film about climate change. Young Filmmaker is home schooled in Raleigh, North Carolina.

  • Honorable Mention High School level: Krishna and Rishub Madhav. “Water: Not a Drop to Waste.” A film about water. Young Filmmakers attend Lebanon Trail High School, Frisco, Texas.

  • Honorable Mention Animation: Eliza Ward. “The Bambi Effect.” A film about wildlife and ecosystems. Young Filmmaker attends American University, Washington, DC.

  • Honorable Mention Animation: Katrina Larner. “One Choice.” A film about sustainability. Young Filmmaker attends the Rhode Island School of Design in Providence, Rhode Island.

  • Honorable Mention Animation: Maddie Matsumoto. “Bee the Solution.” A film about wildlife and ecosystems. Young Filmmaker attends University of Southern California at Davis, Davis, California.

  • Honorable Mention College level: MacKenzie Claflin and Karli Weatherill. “Saving Colorado’s Solitary Bees.” Young Filmmakers attend Cañon City High School, Canon City, Colorado.

  • Honorable Mention College level: Mark De Bruin. "Troposphere." Young Filmmaker attends Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa. Footage is from time-lapse of the sky for two years over seven Midwestern states.

  • Honorable Mention College level: Anna Lee Ackermann. “As We Are Planted.” Young Filmmaker attended Columbia College Chicago, Chicago, Illinois. She is now a freelance filmmaker. Password: awapdoc

  • Honorable Mention College level: Caitlin Clonan; acting by Luke Clonan. “Enviroman.” A film about waste. Young Filmmaker attends Cazenovia College in Cazenovia, New York.

  • Honorable Mention Post Graduate level: Matthew Taylor. “A Few Feet Away.” Young Filmmaker attended Texas A&M University Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi, Texas.

  • Honorable Mention Post Graduate level: Lexie Chu. "Embers." Young Filmmakers attended University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts in Los Angeles, California. She is now a production assistant at Netflix. Password: malibu2018

2020 Winners

Photos above by Gloria Araya Photography from the 2020 awards at the Gene Siskel Film Center, just before the pandemic shutdown.

  • Elementary School category: TIE. Zoë and Jada Nevels, “We Can All Help the Earth!” A film about energy. Young Filmmakers attend Mann Elementary School and homeschool in Oak Park, Ill.

  • Elementary School category: TIE. Lydia An, Aaliya Baig, Mia Cinkler, Sydney Groh, Elizabeth Katsov, Dylan Knight, Grace Lisy, Carmen Lozano, Aleksandra Parobi, Iliana Rustandi, Julia Tita and Tyler Ubert. “No Time to Waste.” A film about waste. Young Filmmakers attend Dryden Elementary School in Arlington Heights, Ill.

  • Middle School category: Maiana Nelson. “The Sad Truth: How Climate Change is Changing Our Lives.” A film about open space/ecosystems. Young Filmmaker attends L.J. Hauser Junior High School Riverside, Ill.

  • High School category: Nathan Goswick. “Plastic Bags.” A film about waste. Young Filmmaker attends Joplin High School, Joplin, Mo.

  • College category: Oriana Camara. “Yasuni National Park: The Real Power Belongs to the People.” Young Filmmaker attends Wheaton College, Norton, Mass.

  • Post Graduate category: Suzie Kang, April Chang, and Emily Wong. “Vandals.” Young Filmmakers graduated from New York University (Tisch School of the Arts), NY.

  • Sally Stovall Planet Warrior Prize for Creativity: Tara Gupta. “Lucy.” Young Filmmaker graduated from Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, RI.

  • Animation category: TIE. Marin Chalmers and Daniela Arezina. “Walking for a Happier Earth.” A film about transportation. Young Filmmaker attends Roosevelt Middle School, River Forest, Ill.

  • Animation category: TIE. Jacob Updyke. “You Reap What You Sow.” A film about open space/ecosystems. Young Filmmaker attends Millburn High School, Short Hills, NJ.

  • Honorable Mention Elementary School level: Grady Roderweiss-O’Brien. “The Impossible Way.” A film about food. Young Filmmaker attends Beye School, Oak Park, Ill. Password is: impossible.

  • Honorable Mention Middle School level: Samantha Older. “The Shortage of Helium.” A film about waste. Young Filmmaker attends Roosevelt Middle School, River Forest, Ill.

  • Honorable Mention Middle School level: Tess Moretti-Hill, Gabriel Jeffers, Mahea Dunn, Keanu Frith. “Green Gone.” A film about open space/ecosystems. Young Filmmaker attended Maui Huliau Foundation’s filmmaking classes in Maui, HI.

  • Honorable Mention High School level: Chloe Chin, Tessa Chin, Ka'imi Kaleleiki. “Remember.” A film about open space/ecosystems. Young Filmmakers attended Maui Huliau Foundation’s filmmaking classes in Maui, HI.

  • Honorable Mention High School level: Dane Ottman and Matt Golin. “Sea Creature Complaints.” A film about water and open space/ecosystems. Young Filmmakers attended Maui Huliau Foundation’s filmmaking classes in Maui, HI.

  • Honorable Mention College level: Natalie Shoultz. "Racism and the Environmental Movement." Young Filmmaker attends Loyola University, Chicago, Ill.

  • Honorable Mention College level: Patrick Thomas Keen. “Tossed: Waste and Recycling Video Quiz.” Young Filmmaker attends Columbia College Chicago.

  • Honorable Mention College level: Taylor Anderson, Bianca Franco, and Natalie Snodgrass. “Feeding the Future of Chicago.” Young Filmmakers attend Oak Park & River Forest High School, Oak Park; Maine South High School, Park Ridge; and Lake Forest High School, Lake Forest, Ill., respectively.

  • Honorable Mention College level: Jordan Renville. "Change." Young Filmmakers attends The Packer Collegiate Institute, Brooklyn, NY.

2019 Winners

  • Elementary School category: Patricia Lucaszczyk and Adriana Talavera. “Plastic in the Ocean.” A film about waste and water. Young Filmmakers attend Luther Burbank Elementary School in Burbank, Ill.

  • Middle School category: Andrew Edwards. “The Turmoil of Palm Oil.” A film about food and open space/ecosystems. Young Filmmaker attends Roosevelt Middle School in River Forest, Illinois.

  • High School category: Emily Zhao. “Planet or Plastic.” A film about waste and water. Young Filmmaker attends Montgomery High School in Rockville, Maryland.

  • College category: Samantha Lane. “Spell of the West.” A film about open space/ecosystems. Young Filmmaker attends California Institute of the Arts in Santa Clarita, California.

  • Honorable Mention Elementary School level: Lily Kleps. “What a Waste!” A film about food and waste. Young Filmmaker attends Lincoln Elementary School in River Forest, Illinois.

  • Honorable Mention Middle School level: Maiana Nelson. “Drowning in Plastic.” A film about waste. Young Filmmaker attends L.J. Hauser Junior High School in Riverside, Illinois.

  • Honorable Mention Middle School level: Tori Robinson-Thomas. “Our Water Crisis.” A film about water. Young Filmmaker attends Grace Lutheran School in River Forest, Illinois.

  • Honorable Mention High School level: Kendall Dirks. “Estelle’s Story.” A film about food and open space/ecosystems. Young Filmmakers attends York High School in Elmhurst, Illinois.

  • Honorable Mention High School level: Nicole Tanaka. “Race to Stop E-Waste.” A film about waste. Young Filmmaker attends Gabrielino High School in San Gabriel, California.

  • Honorable Mention College level: "On the Backs of Salmon." A film about food, water, and open space and ecosystems.* Ballard High School Digital Filmmaking Program in Seattle, Washington.

  • Honorable Mention College level: Anna Daugherty. "Plastics in Ocean." A film about waste and water. Young Filmmaker attends Wheeler High School in Marietta, Georgia.

  • Honorable Mention College level: Gillian Dittmer. "The 1.3 Billion Ton Problem." A film about food and waste. Young Filmmaker plans to return to Rider University in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, in the fall.

  • Honorable Mention College level: Cara DeGaish. "Sincerely Corpus." A film about waste. Young Filmmaker attends Gregory Portland High School in Portland, Texas.

  • Honorable Mention College level: Amanda Godreau. "Waste." A film about waste. Young Filmmaker attends Ringling College of Art and Design in Sarasota, Florida.

  • Honorable Mention College level: Joanne Ha and Sarina Matson. “Crime of Fashion.” A film about waste. Young Filmmakers created this film last year while seniors at Montgomery Blair High School in Silver Spring, Maryland.

  • Honorable Mention College level: Hailey McMahon. "Trap, Neuter and Return." A film about open space and ecosystems. Young Filmmaker attends Citrus High School in Inverness, Florida.

  • Honorable Mention College level: Jacqueline Sepulveda. "Insecticides and Our Environment." A film about open space and ecosystems. Young Filmmaker attends Maine West High School in DesPlaines, Illinois.

  • Honorable Mention Post-Graduate level: Nikki Conero and Jack Szynaka. “Our Horizon.” A film about open space and ecosystems. Young Filmmakers graduated in 2018 from School of Visual Arts in New York City, New York.

  • Honorable Mention Post-Graduate level: Adam Joel. “The Green Burger Challenge.” A film about food. Young Filmmaker graduated in 2018 from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.

2018 Winners

  • College category tie: Emma Josephson. “Generation Compromise: Food vs. the Environment.” A film about food. Young Filmmaker attends Portland State University in Portland, Oregon.

  • College category tie: Miranda Lu. “Stop the Plastics!” A film about waste, water, and open space and ecosystems. Young Filmmakers attends Cosumnes River College in Sacramento, California.

  • High School category: Alexander Grattan, “Lead in Water.” A film about water. Young Filmmaker attends Keystone Oaks High School in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

  • Middle School category: Andrew Edwards, “Plastic Not Fantastic.” A film about waste. Young Filmmaker attends Roosevelt Middle School in River Forest, Illinois.

  • Elementary School category: Rachel Kralik, Evan Richardson, Carolina Rios, and Capri Scatton. “Go Green, Go Clean.” A stop-motion film about waste. Young Filmmakers attend Longfellow Elementary School in Oak Park, Illinois.

  • Honorable Mention College level: Greer Fawcett. "Trash Man." A film about waste. Young Filmmaker attends Syracuse University, in New York.

  • Honorable Mention College level: Hunter Harding. "The Chase." A film about open space and ecosystems. Young Filmmaker attends The University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas.

  • Honorable Mention High School level: Jullian Woodard. "The Hidden Crisis." A film about waste and water. Young Filmmaker attends Pebblebrook High School in Mableton, Georgia.

  • Honorable Mention Middle School level: Isaac Averbuch. "Fresh Air." A film about energy, transportation, and waste. Young Filmmaker attends Metropolitan Schoolhouse in Chicago, Illinois.

  • Honorable Mention Middle School level: Lily O’Connor, Isaiah Pinzino, Elijah Spencer. “The Stop Motion Animation Electric Car Movie.” A film about energy, transportation, and waste. Young Filmmakers attend Most Holy Redeemer School in Evergreen Park, Sutherland Elementary School in Chicago, and Clissold Elementary School in Chicago.

2017 Winners

  • High School category: Christina Yin and Elizabeth Hou. “Crash 'n' Crumble.” A film about open space and ecosystems. Young Filmmakers attend Monte Vista High School in Danville, California.

  • Middle School category: Ruhi Shastri Saldanha. “Deforestation.” (Password: woods). A film about open space and ecosystems. Young Filmmaker attends Julian Middle School in Oak Park, Illinois.

  • Elementary School category: Jaxon and Miles Toppen. “Shells in Need of Saving.“ A film about ecosystems. Young Filmmakers attend Roosevelt Middle School in River Forest, Illinois.

  • Honorable Mention College level: Breana Kloski. “A Revolution Dance Against Petcoke.” A film about energy and waste. Young Filmmaker attends Columbia College in Chicago, Illinois. This film did not meet our criteria of presenting an environmental problem and a solution. However, we applaud it's originality and creativity. Warning: song by Raury does have profanity which was bleeped at our awards event.

  • Honorable Mention Middle School level: Amparo Acevedo, Josh Dingman, Sam Dingman, Laurel Ditzel, Danielle Guralnick, Cerys Hattersley, Amanda Janus, Zoe Klein, Sophie Larratt, Julia Patson, Daliah Ramos, Mateo Reyes, and Sarah Ungaretti (all are Brooks School Eco Eagles). “Yard Hunters.” A film about open space and ecosystems. Young Filmmakers attend Brooks Middle School in Oak Park, Illinois.

  • Honorable Mention Elementary School level: Frederic and Boomer Small. “All About Sharks” A stop-motion animation about water and ecosystems. Young Filmmakers attend Suder Montessori Elementary Magnet School and Beaubien Elementary School in Chicago, Illinois.

2016 Winners

  • High School category: Liam Loughran. “Transportation” A film about transportation. Young Filmmakers attends Oak Park River Forest High School in Oak Park, Illinois.

  • Middle School category: Kendall Dirks. “Cutting CARbon Emissions.” A film about transportation. Young Filmmaker attends Sandburg Middle School in Elmhurst, Illinois.

  • Elementary School category: Miles Toppen and Carter Workman. “Pretty Nice Island--The Movie.” A film about energy, transportation, and waste. Young Filmmakers attend Willard School in River Forest, Illinois.

  • Honorable Mention High School level: Veronika Lubeck, Kate Conneely, Emma Alm, Katherine Cusack, and Sarah Whiteside. “Trinity Team Green.” A film about waste. Young Filmmakers attend Trinity High School in River Forest, Illinois.

  • Honorable Mention High School level: Marieke de Koker. “Iaglo.” A stop-motion animation about waste. Password is iaglo. Young Filmmaker attends Interlochen Arts Academy in Interlochen, Michigan.

  • Honorable Mention Middle School level: Alex Schrader, Zoe Klein and Amanda Janusz of Eco Eagles. “What’s in Your Lunch?” A film about food. Young Filmmakers attend Brooks Middle School in Oak Park, Illinois.

2015 Winners

  • High School category: Hinsdale Central Ecology Club. “Why Have a Garden?” A film about food by Josh Feldman, Stephanie Jamilla, Claire Hultquist, Wendy Li, and Rachel Chang. Young Filmmakers attend Hinsdale Central High School in Hinsdale, Illinois.

  • Middle School category: Kelly Colbert Adam, Annie Nuntarach, Veronica Brooks, and Emily Kerstetter. “Unplugged: a Short Video about Saving Energy.” A film about energy. Young Filmmakers attend Roosevelt Middle School in River Forest, Illinois.

  • Elementary School category: Ezra Nudd and Kian Tan. “Peregrine Falcons.” A film about saving animals. Password is boyssavinganimals. Young Filmmakers attend Keystone Montessori in River Forest, Illinois.

 

2014 Winners

  • High School category: Hinsdale Central Ecology Club. “What Will You Do?” A film about transportation by Stephanie Jamilla, Josh Feldman, Rachel Chang, and Wendy Li. Young Filmmakers attend Hinsdale Central High School in Hinsdale, Illinois.

  • Middle School category: Pineapple Productions: Ana Shack, Lillian Lowson, Marta Rohner, Isabella Saracco, Haley Gladden, and Cia Gladden. “Earth 2114.” A film about water usage and resources. Young Filmmakers attend Roosevelt Middle school in River Forest, Illinois.

  • Elementary School category: Jaxon Toppen, Danny Scholvin and Ray Deogracias. “Where Did The Rest of Us Go?” A film about electronic waste. Young Filmmakers attend Willard Elementary School in River Forest, Illinois.

2013 Winners

  • Elementary School category: Wasteful Santa -Talia Levy, Elizabeth Larscheid, Ella Haas, Isabel Marx – Mann School

  • Middle School category: Sporktagion: HEAT (Heritage Earth Action Team) – Heritage Middle School

  • High School category: Let’s Talk About Water – Lea Kichler – Lincoln Park High School

 

The One Earth Young Filmmakers Contest is partially funded by a grant from the Manaaki Foundation.