Natalie Yue of San Carlos (pictured), an eighth grader at Castilleja School, took home first place in the Middle School Division and the Best in Fest award for her film, “Behind the Slopes: The Hidden Costs of Ski Resorts” at the 9th Annual CEC Student Film Fest, which was held at the Burlingame High School Theater on April 14. The film festival was a co-production of the Citizens Environmental Council, the Burlingame High School Environmental Club and the Social Impact Filmmaking Club at The Nueva School.

Natalie received the award from Kristin Tieche, a professional filmmaker and film educator who was invited to judge the competition. She praised Behind the Slopes’ research, original footage and editing to spotlight the environmental impact of ski resorts.

Reyansh Manuja, a fourth grader at Audubon Elementary School in Foster City, won the Best Elementary Division for his film, “Why Clean Transportation Matters.” Hannah Osinski and

Maya Osinski, a junior and freshman, respectively, at Burlingame High School, won the Best High School Division for “Changing the Cycle: Sustainable Period Solutions.”

The evening also featured an original spoken word performance by Dave Emanuel, social science teacher of the Hillsdale High School and San Mateo Union High School District Sustainability Committee.