Student Filmmakers Commercial Contest
Create a 30-second public service announcement
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 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.
PAST WINNERS
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
Grand Prize Winner: Betsy Stonich
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
Division Winners:
4th/5th – 8th: Dylan Laughery, “SOS – Save Our Seas“
9th – 12th: Megan Koblegarde, “Bend Waterworks Tire / Microplastics PSA“
The People’s Choice Award: Megan Koblegarde, “Bend Waterworks Tire / Microplastics PSA”
2019
COMMERCIAL CONTEST WINNERS
Grand Prize ($150) and People’s Choice Award ($100):
Cedar Vickery, Summit High School

Left to Right: Grand Prize & Audience Choice-Winner Ella Schubert, Wendy Edde (City of Bend Stormwater), Todd Looby (BendFilm Executive Director), Christina Davenport (City of Bend), Grand Prize Winning co-Producer, George Plumleigh, Bend City Councilor Bruce Abernathy, Michele O’Hara (Central Oregon Daily).
Division Winners:
9th – 12th Grade Division Award ($100):
Colin Brown, Bend High School
5th – 8th Grade Division Award ($100):
Ella Schubert, Pacific Crest Middle School