The goal of the UW Tacoma Sustainability Film Festival is to promote awareness and engagement with sustainability issues that our community faces while providing a platform for marginalized voices to share their story. An educated community is an empowered one. This year, we are partnering with the Ground to Sound Film Festival to make it bigger and better!
Get Involved in the 2024 Ground to Sound Sustainability Film Festival
Submit a Shortfilm
Have a story you wish to tell or are interested in seeing your short film on the big screen?
Look at our submission rules below and get started!
Sponsor or Volunteer
Interested in sponsoring or becoming a partner in this community event?
Get connected and see how you can make an impact!
Event Details - February 2024
The City of Tacoma, in collaboration with local marketing agency Foster’s Creative and the University of Washington Tacoma, is looking for creatives to submit a piece to the newly announced Ground to Sound Film Festival.
Dive into an ocean of inspiration, as we come together to celebrate our shared mission of protecting and restoring our precious natural resources. Ground to Sound Film Fest is a call to action by the City of Tacoma for the health of our neighborhoods, our marine ecosystems, and Tacoma’s future.
We believe everything we do supports healthy neighborhoods and a thriving Puget Sound, leaving a better Tacoma for all.
We are inviting all filmmakers, storytellers, and environmental enthusiasts to submit their cinematic creations! Films should highlight the urgent need to reduce stormwater drain pollution that can impair and damage our valuable ecosystems and the environment we all cherish.
The film fest features 4 submission tiers including a youth tier (ages 0-12), teen tier (ages 13-19), amateur tier and a professional adult tier. As well as an Instagram photo contest. 5 winning submissions from each tier (20 films in total) will be selected to win cash prizes. The top 3 from each tier will be screened at the Ground to Sound Film Fest.
All films and photos are due by 12/15/2023 in order to be considered. For submission requirements, judging criteria, prize information, and more festival information visit https://www.groundtosoundfilmfest.com/.
The newly announced festival is tentatively scheduled to take place February 2024 with full event details to follow.
Previous Event - April 28th, 2023
The 2023 University of Washington Tacoma Sustainability Film Festival took place in the Carwein Auditorium (Key 102) at the UWT Campus on April 28th, 2023. Doors opened at 4:00 pm; programming began at 4:30 pm and lasted until 6:00 pm.
For any questions or ADA Accomodations, please reach out to Noah Carr at 253.692.5887 or by email at noahcarr@uw.edu.
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5 winning submissions from each tier (20 films in total) will be selected to win prizes. The top 3 from each tier will be screened at Ground to Sound Film Fest on February 9th.
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The 20 winning submissions will be based on the following criteria by a panel of selected judges:
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ORIGINALITY & CREATIVITY
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G2SFF strives to set a space for films that are as unique and diverse as our community of creatives. Play, explore, and take us on a journey with you!
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PLOT & EFFECTIVENESS OF MESSAGING
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G2SFF is dedicated to showcasing short films centering on themes of caring for our oceanic friends and neighbors by reducing stormwater pollution that can impair and damage valuable ecosystems and the environment. Messaging should aim to amplify mission statement, inspire activism and motivate a shift towards taking action and finding solutions.
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Applicants must reside in South Sound region
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Submitted pieces should not exceed six minutes but do keep in mind, that less is more!
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Mission:
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Environmental Services protects and restores natural resources, keeping our city clean, safe and livable through garbage and recycling pickup, wastewater treatment, household hazardous waste disposal, protection from stormwater pollution, and much more. We believe everything we do supports healthy neighborhoods and a thriving Puget Sound, leaving a better Tacoma for all.
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All work submitted should bring this mission to light centering on themes of caring for our oceanic friends and neighbors by reducing stormwater pollution that can impair and damage valuable ecosystems and the environment. Messaging should aim to amplify the mission statement, inspire activism, and motivate a shift towards taking action and finding solutions.
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We welcome and encourage films in any language. However, if not in English, please ensure that your piece has English subtitles.
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Applicants must follow submission guidelines as outlined on the website and submission portal.
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All films and photos are due by 12/15/2023 in order to be considered.
Congratulations to our 2023 Finalists - Presented in order of showcase
Created by UWT students Ronald Pagarigan, Lime Pearce, Elysianna Garcia-Zacarias, and Usman Nasry
Created by UWT students Jamie Song, Brevard Rioux, Bravik Freany, and Ceejay Alfiler
Created by UWT students Ashton Dulfer, McKenna Yohey, Sully, and Khalid Sirad
Created by UWT students Amber Gajadhar, Victoria Puryear, Hailey Germeau, and Dara Carlson
Created by UWT students Habsa Ahmed, Laura Edmundson, Eden Ipili, Trisha Lam, and Celina Le
Created by UWT students Hannia Larino, Livy Yanga, Jasmine Green, and Aisha Isse
Created by Lakewold Garden's professionals Kristine Dillinger, Maya Neff, Debbie Kray, and Joe Williams
