Film Festival Lead Sponsor and Chemical Bank branch manager Laura Werda and assistant manager Jodi Sucharski present the 1st Place Student Film Award to Akia Rutherford from Rogers City High School for her film: “Exploration is Essential”

Students from Alpena, Hillman, Onaway, Rogers City, and Stockbridge High Schools receiving awards for their films themed #ExplorationIs at the 4th Annual Student Film Competition at the Thunder Bay International Film Festival

Awards were sponsored by the Friends of Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Michigan Sea Grant for five of the twelve selected and screened films.  Students submitted films 5 minutes or less in length about the theme:  “Exploration Is”  All the winning films will be posted on the Friends of Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary Facebook page:


1st Place: $300 scholarship
People’s Choice Award: $25 MI Sea Grant bookstore gift certificate and Thunder Bay International Film Festival poster 
Akia Rutherford from Rogers City High School

2nd Place: $200 scholarship
Noah Fetty, Matthew Guest, and Tanner Hatch from Alpena High School

3rd Place: $100 scholarship
The Stockbridge High School “Inventeam”

4th Place: $75 MI Sea Grant bookstore gift certificate
Molly Nichols, Kaitlin Miller from Stockbridge High School

5th Place: $50 MI Sea Grant bookstore gift certificate
Elizabeth Black and Lilly Hamann from Alpena High School


Official Selection: Jose Galvez from Onaway High School
Official Selection: Madysen Gohl, Allison Urlaub, Joe Blewett, and Ande Fisher from Alpena High School
Official Selection: Angelina Hunt from Hillman High School
Official Selection: Daniel Lowe, Glory Milwrick, and Caitlin Cole from Alpena High School
Official Selection: Athena Norris from Hillman High School
Official Selection: Greg Niedzwiecki, Ozzy Paad, Derred Weitting, Thomas Sheridan, and Ashton Mill from Alpena High School
Official Selection: Emma Prevost, Emily Weiss, Kegan Sharako, and Jazmyn Shultz