Courtesy photo

Shane Johnston, center, a financial consultant for Blue Summit Financial Group Inc. in Carlsbad, congratulates 12-year-old director Drew Sherwood and actor Elizabeth Poling, 9, both of Oceanside, on winning the Environmental Film Festival held recently at the Dove Library in Carlsbad. The event was part of the Earth Day, It's Everyday event.

Displays of energy-saving and recycled products, educational presentations and awards for the best films in three age groups were featured. Sherwood's and Poling's film, 'The Vortex,' won the award for Best Short Film by students younger than 18, as well as the People's Choice Award. The youths are members of Young Independent American Filmmakers, an organization founded by Palomar College film instructor Sheilina Shaw.