One Earth Young Filmmakers Contest

The One Earth Young Filmmakers Contest is part of the One Earth Film Festival which presents approximately 50 screening events all over the Chicago region every March. The Young Filmmakers Contest is for students from age 25 down to grade 3, with prizes at each age level. Winning films premiere at the festival in March. Students are asked to create a 3 to 8 minute environmental film. Animations of at least 45 seconds in length are also accepted. Students from grade 12 through age 25 have more freedom with content/topics. Their submissions should be environmental films that motivate viewers towards behavior change or activism. Students grade 11 and younger should create films about one of 7 sustainability topics: climate, energy, food, transportation, waste, water, or wildlife and ecosystems. Films should present a problem with the chosen topic and then present a solution(s). Animations may simply motivate viewers toward awareness or behavior change at all age levels. Photo above is Chicago skyline from Wikimedia Commons.