• The Grand Prize has been awarded to the short film, "The Human Cost," by Edward Holub and Christian Roselund. The film highlights Hurricane Gustav's devastating impact on the Native American Pointe Au Chien Tribe and the residents of Chauvin, LA, juxtaposed with the impacts of the oil and gas industry's destructive footprint on Louisiana's coast. Watch and share the film below. We will be adding the other winners in future blog entries.
• Second Prize goes to the trailer for the film "Paradise Faded: The Fight for Louisiana," by Jared Arsement. Paradise Faded is a compelling look at the causes, effects, and solutions to one of the largest environmental disasters in American history; the loss of Louisiana’s Coastal Wetlands.
• Third Prize goes to the short film, "The Cypress Graveyard: Restoring the Bayou Bienvenue Wetland Triangle," by Pouria Baladi. This film describes the degradation of the cypress swamp on the outskirts of the Lower 9th Ward, due to the impacts of the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet navigation project, and current student-led efforts to restore the area. The blend of community voices, academic leaders, and student workers created a powerful short detailing what has happened, and a hopeful vision of what could be.
• The Student Prize goes to the claymation Public Service Announcement "Protect Our Wetlands," which uses humor to urge action to protect and restore Louisiana's coastal wetlands. The PSA was produced during the 2009 Claymation Nation Summer Camp, by youth filmmakers Bixby Boss, Kells Bush, Tyrese Craige, James Pichon, and Justin Turner.
• The Judges Prize has been awarded to the short film, "Home," by filmmaker Matt Faust. Home is powerful and moving account of the post Katrina loss experienced by Gulf Coast families.
The Protect Our Wetlands, Protect Ourselves Environmental Video Competition is a joint initiative of the Charitable Film Network and the Gulf Restoration Network. A panel of judges featuring CFN and GRN representatives joined by filmmaker Walter Williams (creator of the play-doh figure Mr. Bill) scored the films on content and production values to determine winners.
Winning submissions will be featured at the 2009 Voodoo Experience, in the No Coast, No Music Theater, during the "Five Minute Films Festival" (October 30th to November 1st). Contest prizes include environmentally friendly products from Whole Foods Market and VIP Loa passes to the 2009 Voodoo Experience valued at $1,000.
We want to thank all the filmmakers who sent entries. The quality and caliber of the films were excellent, and made for a great afternoon of film viewing. For more information about the Protect Our Wetlands Video Competition and sponsorship opportunities contact:
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CFN is a diverse community of media-makers, dedicated to connecting and collaborating with nonpofits, activists, and artists on noteworthy campaigns that contribute to the community-at-large.
GRN is a diverse network of local, regional, and national groups and individuals committed to uniting and empowering people to protect and restore the natural resources of the Gulf region for future generations.
