STUDENTS on the RIVER
film contest
VIEW all 2026 FILMS HERE
In 2026, a total of 13 short films were submitted with seven films receiving awards. ALL of this year’s shorts—with filmmakers from age 9 to 17— represent the beauty and natural diversity of our watershed and county. These are moving films of nature, stewardship, and our connections to family AND the natural world. Enjoy!
1st prize: Spirit Dewitt, “Stewards of the Planet” (31:50)
2nd prize: Oscar Patrick, “Where the Merced River Comes and Goes” (29:30)
3rd prize: Jade Lust, “The Beauty of Yosemite National Park” (27:07)
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Xander Bilodeau, “The True Spirit of Yosemite” (19:00)
Harmony Buckner, “If I Were a Flower” (20:47)
Liam Fiester, “Every Drop Matters” (15:48)
Max Radanovich, “Bear Creek” (23:55)
1st prize: Evelyn Carter for her visual poem, “The Merced River”
2nd prize: Canyon Carter and “The Importance of Snow Surveys”
3rd prize TIE: Noah Beas “Merced River Adventure” and Mrs. Ouborg’s 2/3/4 grade class from El Portal Elementary, “What is special about the Merced River”
INSPIRATIONS
We’re grateful for the support of award-winning local filmmaker and nature storyteller, STEVE BUMGARDNER.
Check out MCHS Watershed Council scholarship recipient Finn Westerlund’s inspirational video below presented at the 2024 Merced River Fest AND a student-created claymation video “Bad Bugs” about the good they offer to our planet.
About STUDENTS ON THE RIVER
The Upper Merced River Watershed Council is proud to sponsor its second annual STUDENTS on the RIVER film contest open to all school-age youth.
Prize winning videos will be selected by a panel of filmmakers and Watershed Council board members.
Student videos will featured at the annual April MERCED RIVER FEST - Wild and Scenic Film Festival event at the Grove House and will be used as educational outreach materials throughout the watershed.
Guidelines
Must be a K-12 school-age student within the Yosemite region
Films can be up to 3 minutes
Content must relate to such topics as rivers (of course, we LOVE the Merced River), Yosemite, the greater Sierra and its plants/animals, student connections with the outdoors
Film content must be suitable for all ages
Suggested topics include
what you love about the Merced River and watershed or the outdoors
tell a story about what you love about nature or activities you enjoy outside
water conservation and why it’s important
importance of water quality
wildlife/plant life in the watershed
artistic explorations in the Merced River watershed or generally in nature
Send questions and submissions to Film Contest Coordinator, Kristina Rylands, at kristinarylands@gmail.com.