EmPower Silicon Valley Short-Film Competition - 2021 Award Winners

$20,000 in Scholarships Awarded to Students in EmPower Silicon Valley Short Film Competition

High schoolers share stories about local and global climate challenges and solutions

Sunnyvale, Calif. – Eight local youth have been recognized by Silicon Valley Clean Energy (SVCE) in the inaugural EmPower Silicon Valley Short Film Competition. Through the competition, high school students illustrated how individuals and communities can combat climate change.

Exploring ideas ranging from alternative transportation to local green spaces, competition participants showcased their creativity and storytelling skills through incorporating animation, spoken word poetry, and community interviews.

Four submissions were awarded with $3,000 scholarship prizes for being exemplary. These short films received distinction for effective messages and artistic delivery.

  • “Sustainable Transportation Builds Community” by Gwyn Azar, Cupertino High School
  • “Fast Fashion: The Dangers to our Environment and Community” by Shreya Nepak, Fremont High School
  • “The Green in Silicon Valley” by Brandon Pan and Andy Bae, Cupertino High School
  • “Within Our Immediate Reach” by Michelle Ngo, Daphne Tran, Philip Yang, Alex Dang, Milpitas High School

Additionally, Honorable Mention awards of $2,000 each were awarded to Simon Cha from Prospect High School, Lemo Sekiguchi from Los Altos High School, Ian Singer from Homestead High School, and Pranay Tiru from Lynbrook High School.

“Youth are critical contributors to the SVCE mission of fighting climate change in our community. We were impressed by the diversity of their stories and ideas for addressing climate change and community resilience in Silicon Valley and beyond,” said Margaret Abe-Koga, City of Mountain View Councilmember and SVCE Board Chair.

The short films were judged by a panel of SVCE board members, youth and community leaders.

The EmPower Silicon Valley Competition is a part of the SVCE education initiatives designed to support and engage youth in our community.

View the winning short films at SVCleanEnergy.org/Empower-SV.

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About Silicon Valley Clean Energy
Silicon Valley Clean Energy is a not-for-profit, community-owned agency providing clean electricity from renewable and carbon-free sources to more than 270,000 residential and commercial customers in 13 Santa Clara County jurisdictions. As a public agency, net revenues are returned to the community to keep rates competitive and promote clean energy programs. Silicon Valley Clean Energy is advancing innovative solutions to fight climate change by decarbonizing the grid, transportation, and buildings. Learn more at SVCleanEnergy.org.

Contact
Michaela Pippin, Communications Specialist
O: 408-721-5301 x1020
Michaela.pippin@svcleanenergy.org