Maine West Student Earns National Honors for Short Film

From District 207: Senior Jackie Sepulveda earned national recognition from the One Earth Film Festival's One Earth Young Filmmakers Contest. Her video, titled "Insecticides and Our Environment," received an honorable mention award in the College Division (which includes grade 12) category.

In her 5-minute film, Jacqueline uses charts, photos and illustrations to show the dangers of pesticide use and why stronger and stronger chemicals are needed in a vicious pesticide resistance cycle. The film explains that Neonicotinoids and Atrazine, which are banned in other countries, can be carried up the food chain, contaminating the environment.

Jacqueline proposes Integrated Pest Management via native plants in order to have an abundant yield as a solution. Though this is not a quick fix, long term results are better for overall community health.

“The wellness of the world around me has become important to me,” she wrote. “I love video-making, so this seemed like a great opportunity to use my skills and passions in a positive way.”

Additional information is available on the website.

An awards ceremony will take place at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, March 2, at the Gene Siskel Film Center, 164 N. State St., in Chicago. Jacquline will receive an award certificate. This is a free event, with coffee or hot chocolate and popcorn available. More details and tickets are available.

Insecticides and Our Environment from Jackie Sepulveda on Vimeo.

Image via District 207