12 filmmakers inspired an audience of 200 to protect the Huron River at the Fifth Annual Millers Creek Film Festival on Friday March 19, 2010 at the Michigan Theater.  The screening included the 8 films entered for the 2010 contest as well as a restrospective of favorites dating back to the first Festival in 2006 and a special “rock video” created by HRWC volunteer Brad Tyer.

The best in each of three categories were honored with a “Millie Award” and a check for $500 in prize money. Filmmakers, audience, and HRWC staff mixed and mingled at a homemade cookie reception following the screening.

And the 2010 winning films are:

Our Environment:  Through the Eyes of a Child, by Ron Merritt of the Woods Creek Friends, winner of the  Short Film-Adult Filmmakers category. In a surprise turn of events, filmmaker Ron Merritt generously donated his winnings to HRWC to support its steam monitoring work.  We thank you Ron!

 Walking Brutus, by the Bright Futures Film Club of Wayne Memorial High School, winner of the  Short Film-School-Age Filmmakers category.

Huron River, by Blair Neighbors, winner of the 30-second Public Service Announcement category.

Other entries included Travel as a River by Jan BenDor; Our River by Kevin Marsh; The Invisible Creek by Deanne Woodruff; Voices of Argo by Emma Jackson; and Huron River by Blair Neighbors.

This year’s judges include Chris Cook, local award-winning filmmaker and president of Metrocom International; Jeff Meyers, film critic for the Detroit Metro Times and editor of local online magazines Concentrate and Metromode; and Rebecca Williams, reporter and producer for NPR’s The Environment Report.

HRWC extends its gratitude to the following individuals for their generous contributions of time, talent and/or funding to the 2010 Film Festival:

Judges Chris Cook, Jeff Meyers and Rebecca Williams; the Michigan Association of Environmental Professionals for funding; David Brooks, Christianson Design, Limno Tech, Michigan Tech Research Institute (MTRI), Karim Motawi and Brad Tyer for everything from printing flyers and posters, and creating logos and graphics to copying DVDs and producing the program; event photographer Marc Akemann; Paul Cousins for filling in as co-host; event volunteers Beverly Black, Dieter Bouma, Rick and Carolyn Carter, Colin Hume, Fran Lyman, Gayle Thomas and many others who made the gala screening so much fun; the filmmakers who submitted entries; the staff of the Michigan Theater including Amanda Bynum and Walt Bishop;  and all the fabulous bakers who brought cookies to share for the post screening reception.

Past winners have included Ann Arbor elementary school students, people making films for the very first time, and professional directors. You can see their videos at our YouTube channel www.youtube.com/millerscreekfilmfest.

For more information contact Pam Labadie at plabadie@hrwc.org or (734) 769-5123 x 602.