“The Ripple Effect” Wins the Youth Driven Cinema Film Festival

Stuart, Florida – The first annual Youth Driven Cinema Film Festival presented by the Ocean River Institute to benefit the Indian Riverkeeper was held at the Lyric Theater.  Crystal Lucas, teacher, and Benjamin D’Avonso, environmental advocate MC’ed the sold out awards ceremony (tickets were free).  The event was well attended with community members, elected officials and K-12 students from throughout Martin County.  The judges had a most difficult time in choosing between films because all had merits.  Some films were high content documentaries, others stirring music videos and creative animated videos.  Please view them on YouTube and submit your comments for ORI Peoples’ Choice Accolades.

High School students distributed grab bags to the video film winners at ORI’s table. Note notebook of our letters calling for a summer rainy season ban on lawn fertilizer. The St. Lucie Board of County Commissioners recently met our request with a more rigorous fertilizer ordinance that includes the ban.

The winners are for the Elementary School Category:  First Place: “The Indian River; Pollution Commotion” by P. Regan, E. Hurley, M. Reid;  Second Place: “Don’t Let Out Dolphins Disappear” by K. Mader, C. Wilson; and Third Place: “I See Sharks” by J. Benson.

The winners are for Middle School Category: First Place: “River Kidz – Join the Cause!” N. Mader, E. Flaugh; Second Place: “The Worlds Spelling Bee” E. Damm, E. Stroughter, L. Roberts; and Third Place: “More Than Words 2014” by K. Lannon, M. Perry, A. Cole, M. Sands.

The winners are for High School Category: First Place: “The Ripple Effect” by E. Trense; Second Place: “Indian River Lagoon Water Pollution” by J. Lockett, and Third Place: “Indian  River Segment” by J. Barco, H. Weis, P. Saccavino.

In all divisions GoPro Hero 3+ cameras were awarded to first place winners. Second place prize for elementary students was a week at camp at the Environmental Studies Center.  Second place price for middle school students and high school students was an inshore fishing charter with local guide and writer Mike Connor.  Third place prize for all ages was a full day paddle boarding trip with Treasure Coast Paddle.  Youth Driven Cinema was generously funded by the Knopf Family Foundation, the Guardians of Martin County, and the Community Service Advisory Board – City of Stuart.  The film festival raised $4000 for The Indian Riverkeeper.  Marty Baum will use the funds for educating youth about the importance of the marine environment and their role in protecting the Indian River Lagoon.

All 23 entries can be viewed at Youth Driven Cinema’s YouTube Channel:

Please tell us what you think in ORI People’s Choice Accolades.

River Kidz Rally to Get the Muck Out, Saturday, March 1

Rob Moir talks about saving oceans and saving dolphins in Florida (6.5 min video)