A Unique Chance for Budding Teenage Filmmakers

DFG announces a contest for  young filmmakers to promote 'Bear Aware' behavior.

DFG News November 16, 2011
Here is a rare chance for youngsters with a penchant for making wildlife films: DFG "is seeking talented teen filmmakers for its first-ever “Bear Aware” Youth Film Contest. Cash prizes will be awarded for the top three short films that most effectively educate the public about the importance of keeping black bears wild and preventing them from becoming habituated to humans, with a focus on bears in the Lake Tahoe Basin."


Most of you know Marc Kenyon as Wild Pig Coordinator for DFG.
His alter ego 'Bear Coordinator' of the Department of Fish and Game explained  the purpose and the goals of the contest. 
“Human carelessness with food and garbage is attracting bears to populated areas and putting them at risk. . .“People who live in or visit bear habitat have a responsibility to the wildlife whose habitat they are sharing. We hope that by recruiting young, talented filmmakers, we can get the message out about what the public can do to help keep bears in the wild.”


The Department of Fish and Game is inviting high school students to use DFG provided specific messages to create 90 second films and to enter them into contest. The three best films (as determined by the DFG) will win prizes from $500.00 for first place to $200.00 for third.
In addition, the general public will also be able to vote for the best film of their choice. The winner of this contest will receive a $ 100.00 gift card.
First place winners will be given the opportunity to accompany DFG staff during the release of a rehabilitated bear cub in the spring of 2012.


Because the contest messages focus on the Tahoe Basin, high school students from " ... in DFG’s North Central Region, which includes the following counties: Alpine, Amador, Butte, Calaveras, Colusa, El Dorado, Glenn, Lake, Nevada, Placer, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Sierra, Sutter, Yolo and Yuba. The deadline for entries is Jan. 31, 2012."

Entry details and stock bear footage are available at dfg.ca.gov/BearFilmContest.
PJJ