Each year, BendFilm and the City of Bend host a contest for Future Filmmakers to write and produce a professional TV commercial that will air across Central Oregon. $450 in cash prizes are given to 3 winners each every year. Students in 5th – 12th grade explore specific water pollution topics and create a 30-second public service advertisement.
2023 Video Contest!
The 2023 Student Filmmakers One Water Video Contest has been announced! The theme “My Own Front Yard: It’s A Part of the Deschutes Watershed!” is significant in teaching student filmmakers and their audiences about our local environmental ecosystem. The theme focuses on how we plant, irrigate and manage our own yard plays an important part in conserving water and keeping pollution out of our river and groundwater.
Learn more about the theme, guidelines, rules and general information at the 2023 Student Filmmakers One Water Video Contest webpage. Digital entry forms are available.
2022 COMMERCIAL CONTEST WINNERS!
Grand Prize Winner: Betsy Stonich
Division Winners:
10th -12th Grade Division – Quincey Smith, “Love Our River: A how-to guide”
7th – 9th Grader Division – Devin Barnes, “Respecting Our Rivers”
2021 COMMERCIAL CONTEST WINNERS!
(The theme this year was reducing pollution from pet waste.)
Grand Prize Winner: Sophie Haney, “Scoop Your Poop!”
Division Winners:
9th -12th Graders – Manhattan Wood, “Puppy Pollution“
5th – 8th Graders – Devin Barnes, “Bacteria In Our Water!“
The People’s Choice Award: Manhattan Wood, “Puppy Pollution“
2020 COMMERCIAL CONTEST WINNERS!
(The theme this year was reducing pollution from automobile wheels.)
Grand Prize Winner:
Bella Moon, “Clean Roads Clean Water“
Division Winners:
4th/5th – 8th: Dylan Laughery, “SOS – Save Our Seas“
9th – 12th: Megan Koblegarde, “Bend Waterworks Tire / Microplastics PSA“
People’s Choice Winner:
Megan Koblegarde, “Bend Waterworks Tire / Microplastics PSA”
All winners received prizes. As grand prize winner, Bella wins the opportunity to work with media professionals to convert her 30-second film into a professional public service announcement focusing on pollution prevention to protect our river. We will run her short PSA at the 2020 BendFilm Festival!
2019 COMMERCIAL CONTEST WINNERS!
Grand Prize ($150) and People’s Choice Award ($100):
Cedar Vickery, Summit High School
9th – 12th Grade Division Award ($100):
Colin Brown, Bend High School
5th – 8th Grade Division Award ($100):
Ella Schubert, Pacific Crest Middle School
PAST CONTEST NEWS:
Check out 2015’s winning filmmaker, Mackenzie Hice, and her commercial here. In April 2017, Makenzie won an award for this commercial! (see below).