2026 Sanctuary Selections Film Competition Official Finalists

Returning for its third year, the Sanctuary Selection Film Competition features five incredible films from across the Great Lakes Region.

Alpena, Michigan | Returning for 2026, The Sanctuary Selections Film Competition offers a unique opportunity for Great Lakes Region-based filmmakers to showcase their work, with a chance of winning $5,000.

All five film finalists will be screened on the evening of January 24, each followed by a live Q&A session with the filmmaker. After the final screening, the winning film will be announced and awarded the $5,000 cash prize to help fund the filmmaker's future projects.

Tickets include access to the pre-screening gala, complimentary hors d’oeuvres,  a cash bar, and a night full of exceptional storytelling from across the Great Lakes Region.

TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE NOW AND SELLING OUT QUICKLY - BE SURE AND GET YOURS BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE!

Films for this competition were selected by the Sanctuary Selections Judges Panel, composed of regional industry professionals and Northeast Michigan community members. Films were selected based on predetermined criteria focused on creativity, originality, cinematography, and adherence to the theme.

2026 Theme

The Great Lakes Region: Stories of Discovery, Experience, and Connection

Official Finalists

Mother River

Minnesota, United States | 6 min | Jeremiah Schuster

A look into Devin Brown's journey as she seeks to be the First black female on record to kayak the entire Mississippi River.

Language Back

Wisconsin, United States | 7 min | Dusan Harminc

Language Back is a short documentary capturing conversations and lectures from the 2024 Indigenous Nations Poets #LanguageBack workshops at UW–Milwaukee and the College of Menominee Nation. Narrated by Kimberly M. Blaeser, Mark Freeland, and Indigenous language revivalists, the film highlights poets exploring Native languages, building community, and creating across educational and outdoor spaces, alongside time-lapse visuals from the Overpass Light Brigade.

Breaking Ice: The Making of Cracks In the Ice

Illinois, United States | 5 min | Jason Lindsey

Breaking Ice follows photographer Jason Lindsey as he creates his “Cracks in the Ice” series, prompted by his son's question about what the world will look like due to climate change. Unable to give clear answers to a child who craves stability due to his medical history, Lindsey turns to art to explore this question.

The Last to Leave | Saving the Ash Tree from Extinction

Ohio, United States | 10 min | Nick Loud

The film tells the story of how researchers discover ‘lingering ash’ trees, and use them to genetically breed emerald ash borer resistant trees. They hope to someday plant resistant trees back in forests across the country. A production from Points North Podcast & The Boardman Review in partnership with Great Lakes Now / Detroit PBS.

Weathering the Change: Climate Adaptation at Rush Creek

Wisconsin, United States | 9 min | Ben Albert

Discover the dedicated conservationists who are working to protect the plants and animals at Rush Creek State Natural Area from a changing climate. This hopeful story highlights the innovative “climate adaptation” techniques and collaborative efforts that could serve as a blueprint for protecting ecosystems across Wisconsin and beyond.

This project is proudly supported by The Sunset Project's FOCUS45 Program and our incredible group of community sponsors.

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