Young Filmmakers Contest Entries are in for judging

The entries are all in for the 2017 Young Filmmakers Contest. They came from as far away as California, Florida and New Jersey, the filmmakers taking on the environmental topics of our times: local food, water waste, wildlife protection, and biking to save energy.

Our discerning jury (see below) is now reviewing the entries, taking into consideration the creativity, research solution-oriented messages of each. Winners will be announced in early February and will premiere at the Young Filmmakers Contest: Winner Screenings + Awards at 3 p.m., Sat., March 4, at Columbia College Chicago, Music Center, 1014 S. Michigan Ave.

Young Filmmakers Jury

Deborah Adelman is an English professor at College of DuPage, where she co-founded and directed the Community Education Farm. She teaches writing and film classes, including the co-taught seminar, “Seed, Soil, and Soul.”

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, Chicago Public Media (WBEZ) and MOMENTA Dance Company. 

Jeff Lassahn is an after-school teacher/mentor to high school students at the Chicago Public Library’s YouMedia. He also creates art about inequality, war, and politics in a variety of media, which has been shown nationally and internationally.

Richard Laurent, former creative director/art director-animation for Encyclopaedia Britannica Films, currently teaches in the illustration program at Columbia College Chicago. His paintings are represented in several Midwest galleries.

Jim Rohn co-directs the animation program 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.

Angela Taylor manages the Fulton Street Flower and Vegetable Garden, along with her family. In addition, she works for the Garfield Park Community Council as the Wellness Coordinator.

Lauren Travers is an animator, art director, art assistant, and production designer in the film industry. She and David Arthur Wall recently created the official Claymation stop-motion music video for, “Fanger,” by The Kickback.

David Arthur Wall has created films in the field of education for a nationwide after-school program, an Evanston school, and Steve and Kate’s Camp, a summer program for children. He and Lauren Travers collaborate on stop-motion projects.

Cassandra West has been a newspaper editor and journalism instructor. She works with nonprofits across Chicago, advising on communications and helping them tell their stories.

—Lisa Files