One Earth Film Festival to showcase film made by Oak Park students

The One Earth Film Festival, sponsored by Green Community Connections, announced the winners of its first Young Filmmakers Contest for the festival.

Among the winners were students from Horace Mann Elementary School in Oak Park, who made a film that addressed topics related to water and waste. A public award ceremony to recognize the winners will take place Sat., March 2 at 11 a.m. at Beye School in Oak Park, where the winning films will be shown and awards presented.

"We are thrilled the public will get a chance to view three environmental films done by talented young people right here in our community," contest coordinator Sue Crothers said. "It's wonderful to see so many children who are conscious of sustainability issues and can use film to teach us all that there is action we can take to make a difference."

Also, One Earth Film Festival 2013 will feature 40 Official Selections during the weekend of March 1-3 at various venues in Oak Park, River Forest, Forest Park and Chicago's Austin neighborhood. 

"This year's festival seeks to reach a wider audience and engage and educate it about the environmental hazards and challenges we all face," festival organizer Dick Alton said. "With President Obama now putting climate change high on his priority list, the One Earth Film Festival is in the forefront of getting the messages out about water conservation, renewable energy, agricultural threats and a host of other environmental related issues."

For more information about the One Earth Film Festival, visit oneearthfilmfest.org.