2023 FILM CONTEST
we are happy to announce the winner of this year’s Virginia Environmental Film Contest!
“The Virginia Environmental Film Contest (VEFC) is an important part of the annual Richmond Environmental Film Festival (RVA EFF). This contest is open to new and experienced Virginia filmmakers submitting films on environmental topics focusing on Virginia. The RVA EFF intends to screen the First Prize Winner in a Richmond theater in the Spring of 2023!”
These award winning films will be shown: March 10-21, 2023
First Prize:
Coal Blooded
A documentary short on the community impacts of the coal terminal in Southeast Newport News, Virginia. The 200-acre coal pile is located right next to a redlined neighborhood that today has the highest rate of asthma in the city.
– Director/Producer: Brandon Davis. Assistant Producer: Michael Bush
Director Statement:
”For about a year I wanted to create a documentary, but I never had the time or inspiration. Senior year of college, I took a class "Communication and Film" which contained a final project to create a documentary short about sustainability. Immediately I knew what it would be about and began researching, and it quickly became a passion project as I related it to my service work. Over the course of three months, I planned, filmed, and edited the entire video to premiere at an end-of-the-year event with my service organization, Bonner Service Scholars. This event consisted of professors and faculty at my university and it got a standing ovation! I hope the viewer sees Newport News in a new light and feels inspired to find other stories that have never been told.”