About the CEC Student Film Fest
Since 2018 the CEC Student Film Fest has been inviting local students to make short videos of five minutes or less that show how they care about the planet. Topics vary widely, but all films express the unique perspective of the young filmmakers on the environmental subject of their choice.
Entries have included original music, stop-motion techniques, live action and comedy, collaborations and more. The means of expression is up to the filmmakers. In addition to creativity, videos should present accurate, referenced information that support the message filmmakers seek to convey.
The Film Fest is a co-production of the CEC, the Burlingame Environmental Club (BEC) at Burlingame High School and the Social Impact Filmmaking Club (SIFC) of The Nueva School. Held in the spring at the Burlingame High School Theater, finalists are screened, winners are announced and cash prizes are awarded. SIFC and BEC also conduct a free filmmaking conference prior to the actual fest, geared towards elementary & middle school students.
More information on the film fest with current dates & deadlines can be found here: https://www.
Here’s the piece on the Film Fest that appeared in the BHS student newspaper.
CEC Student Film Fest Winners
2026
Elementary School: Reyansh Manuja “Why Clean Transportation Matters”
Middle School and Best in Festival: Natalie Yue “Behind the Slopes: The Hidden Costs of Ski Resorts”
High School: Hannah Osinski and Maya Osinkski “Changing the Cycle; Sustainable Period Solutions”
2025
Elementary School: Amay Mehta “The Impact of Vegetarianism on the Environment”
Middle School and Best in Festival: Maddox Chen “Rising Tides Leading to Our Demise”
High School: Alex Karanov & Eleanor Points “Food Doesn’t Belong in Landfills”
2024
Elementary School: Jocelyn Hon, Anjini Jandial, Nadya Ortiz, Bella Zhang and Sienna Wade, 5th graders at Hoover Elementary School – “Pollution Hurts Animals (well duh)”
Middle School and Best in Festival: Ashlynn Wong, Sonia Shin and Alisa Ching, 8th graders at Burlingame Intermediate School – “What’s at Steak: The Hidden Cost of Meat”
High School: Ethan Lee, a junior at Crystal Springs Upland School – “Threads of Change”
2023
Elementary School: ZJ Leung and Shaayer Alam, fifth graders from North Hillsborough School and The Nueva School respectively – “Plastic Bottles? More Like Drastic Bottles”
Middle School: Alisa Ching, Zeina Badran and Ashlynn Wong, seventh graders at Burlingame Intermediate School – “Dressed to Kill: The Truth of Fast Fashion”
High School and Best in Festival: Shayna Blum and Mayu Simpson, 10th graders at Burlingame High School – “Our Energy”
2022
Elementary School: Shoan Deb, Washington Elementary School – “Go Save the World”
Middle School and Best in Festival: Siddharth Chibber, Burlingame Intermediate School – “Boxed Like a Fish”
High School: Lian Wang, San Mateo High School – “How Consumerism Drives Climate Change”
2021
Elementary School: Elaina Newman, The Climate Cost of Clothing” – Watch
Middle School: Kayla Ling, “We Have a Climate Crisis – Who’s to Blame? – Watch
High School: Jamison Chow, Katie Hong and Ashley Stewart” – Watch
Best in Festival: Kayla Ling, “We Have a Climate Crisis – Who’s to Blame? – Watch
2020
Elementary School: Allison Wylie, “Climate Change Is Taxing” – Watch
Middle School: Astrid Carlen, “The Carbon Footprint of a BLT” – Watch
High School: Brian Church, Manny Barron, “Composting News Segment” – Watch
Best in Festival: Astrid Carlen, “The Carbon Footprint of a BLT” – Watch
2019
Elementary School: Mika Haggarty & Olivia McGlynn, “STE News Episode 23” – Watch
Middle School: Alison Saunders, “The Trash Task” – Watch
High School: Mark Mangano, “Plastic Bottle Pollution” – Watch
2018
Elementary School: Natalie Wylie, “Feed the Future” – Watch
Middle School: Minnoli Raghavan, “Reducing Your Carbon Footprint” – Watch
High School: Lucas Mills & Aidan Burke, “Car Pollution”
Best in Festival: Natalie Wylie, “Feed the Future” – Watch
