21-25 Age Category

1^st Place

“It’s Time” - Justin McBride (24), Phoenix, AZ

Myself and the members of the Arizona SADD Student Leadership Council had been discussing how alcohol is really taking over advertising. We wanted to do something to let our voices be heard, but weren't sure how to go about it. That is when we found out about the Free The Bowl ä contest. We were excited to find a platform to help get the message out. As we started brainstorming ideas for the video and how the "Big Al" was affecting our society, we realized it was everywhere. No matter where we went or what we watched on TV, there was "Big Al", especially when it came to anything Super Bowl. It was this that motivated me to try to show that the Alcohol Industry was taking over the Super Bowl at the expense of our youth, and It's Time we take it back.

2^nd Place

“Break The Hold” - Eric Henriksen (22), Oswego, IL

I entered this contest after I came across the Free the Bowl ä web site for a class project and read about Marin Institute and its cause. At the time, I realized that alcohol advertising during the Super Bowl football game was an issue I had never really thought much about. I did know, however, that alcohol abuse and underage drinking are major problems in this country. Through my video, I wanted to spread Marin Institute’s message and help end the excessive alcohol advertising during the Super Bowl game. I created this video while I was in a short film production class during my senior year in college and decided to make the entire video as an animation because I thought that it would be an interesting and original idea. I enjoyed being able to make it for a good cause so that the issue of alcohol advertising and its impact, especially on the millions of underage kids who watch the Super Bowl, could be spread to those who are unaware of its dangers.

3^rd Place

“A Big Disappointment” - Matt Fiedler (21), Branchburg, NJ

For too long I've sat at Super Bowl parties, usually taking place at my own house, enjoying the game and enjoying the commercials. We always remember the funny ones during the game, and it's usually the alcohol ads that bring the most laughter to the room. The marketing teams for those companies strike our funny bone, but there are serious consequences. Now I'm not saying that they need to stop creating their commercials altogether. They are businesses, and have every right to buy airtime as anyone else, but they must do a better job in spreading the message that it is extremely dangerous and illegal for anyone underage to drink. Even with the legal crowd, they add the "Please Drink Responsibly" watermark at the bottom, but clearly, that just isn't enough. I went to film school, and learned about marketing and commercials, I wanted to give my point of view as someone who understands both sides of argument, but finds one much more justified than the other. Free the Bowl ä is a great way to make people aware of how many ads exactly there are for alcohol companies during the game, and hopefully, all of the entries in the contest will shed more light on the situation.

10-20 Age Category

1^st Place

“No Second Chances” - Ren Reed (16), Pleasant Hill, CA

I was born In Portland Oregon, and moved to Pleasant Hill, CA when my dad got a job at my church. I was 5 at the time. I live with my parents and my brother, Forrest ( 15 ), and my sister, Randi ( 12 ). I enjoy drawing, writing, and playing the piano as the youth worship leader for my church. I began my interest in film when my cousin Jonathan and I started making short videos with our cheap digital camera. When my cousin Jonathan told me about the Free the Bowl ä contest, I saw it as an awesome opportunity to help spread an important message to the youth of the world. I think it's amazing how our country takes something as serious as the underage drinking of alcohol so lightly. It is ironic how we create laws that prevent youth from drinking and then bombard them with lighthearted advertisements that make alcohol seem like a benign part of life. Youth should be adequately informed about the danger and risks involved with drinking, and should never have to encounter its promotion in impressionable places like the Super Bowl.

2^nd Place

Free the Bowl gave me a chance to speak out against a very serious issue plaguing America. I see alcoholic advertisements on my way to school every morning, along with hundreds of other students that are on campus. This contest offered such a great opportunity to send a strong and righteous message to oppose the vast amount of vulgar advertisements that influence our impressionable youth every day. I entered this contest because I believed that with eye opening facts, Americans could do their part, speak out, and Free the Bowl.

3^rd Place

I have always been a movie junky, especially when it comes to making home movies. Lately, however, I've become increasingly interested in film making and competitions. A few months ago, I won a film competition up here in Idaho that showed the devastation of drunk driving. With the "fight" still in my head, I found the Free the Bowl ä contest, and it was pretty easy to become motivated to join the cause. More motivation also came from the fact that mostly all of my under-aged acquaintances drink. And with upcoming Super Bowl parties, I know more lives will become screwed over by poor choices. My short film shows how beer companies have taken over the world and have resorted to even more absurd methods of advertising, hence the attacking beer cans.

3^rd Place

I am 17 years old and live in Miami, Florida. I got hooked on TV production a couple of years ago when my father worked with a television station for a commercial that he was doing for his business. Right now, I have an internship at a local Television Station, where I learn something new everyday. Some of my work has actually made it to cable television all across South Florida. I've done many stories on community organizations and teen volunteers. I first learned about "Free The Bowl" while browsing online and didn't know there was such an organization. I completely agree with everything that Marin Institute works for, and know that when children see alcohol ads it's not at all good for them. Especially since many of these ads tend to use such things as comedy or even cartoons. Small children find these aspects of a commercial appealing, and the alcohol companies know it. Especially since television is one of the most effective communication outlets. But they only care about the money involved and not for the health and well being of our youth. So I think that big alcohol companies should minimize the advertising during national televised events or stop it entirely.