A Fabulous Filmfest for 2024

That’s a wrap! The 2024 NERRS FilmFest officially closed with the announcement of this year’s award winners on Thursday, October 24th. Which Reserves came out on top?! Before we dive in, let’s pause and chat about what NERRS FilmFest is …

It’s an annual celebration of what makes Reserves tick! Reserves from around the country submit films that cover a wide variety of topics—from program highlights, NERRd shout outs, and unique community partnerships to educational snippets and estuary satires. The goal is to show how Reserves are making our estuaries more resilient and a welcoming place for all.

Check out this year’s films on NERRA’s YouTube channel.

This year, the planning committee turned things up a few notches! Films were showcased during a live screening at the Fall Meeting and two new awards were created. We also dedicated this year’s festival to a true estuary hero. His warm energy, bright personality, and passion for education and music deeply moved anyone who knew him—the late Jeff Dutrow, Education Coordinator from the Apalachicola Reserve and our 2024 Estuary Hero. You will live in our hearts forever.

The time has come! The winners of the 2024 NERRS FilmFest are … 🥁🥁🥁

• Egret Award – Best Scenery in a Film: “Secrets of the Estuary,” North Carolina Reserve
• Seaside Sparrow Award – Best Soundtrack in a Film: “Just Four,” Apalachicola Reserve
• DO (Dissolved Oxygen) Award – Best Presentation of Vital Information: “New Jersey Bay Islands Initiative,” Jacques Cousteau Reserve
• Tidal Award – Estuary Ambassador: “Secrets of the Estuary,” North Carolina Reserve
• Ctenophore Award – Best Special Effects in a Film: “Estuaries: A Buffet of Biodiversity,” Sapelo Island Reserve
• Sonde Award – The Film Best at Conveying Data/Methods: “People of the Apalachicola” – Apalachicola Reserve
• Charismatic Megafauna Award – Biggest Wow-Factor: “Blue and the Green,” Wells Reserve
• Fleeting Monarch Award – Best Short Film: “Delaware NERR Olympics,” Delaware Reserve
• People’s Choice Award: “Great Bay Estuary: A Journey from Headwaters to Sea”

Ideas to improve our next FilmFest? We want your feedback! Let us know your thoughts on this year’s FilmFest by taking our 3-minute survey. 

Your FilmFest Planning Committee, 

Amy Plantarich (Jacques Cousteau Reserve)

Jennifer DeBose (Grand Bay Reserve)

Brittany Dodge (Sapelo Island Reserve)

The award winners. 

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