For Immediate Release
NORTH PLATTE, NE — March 31, 2026 — North Platte is set to make history by hosting the first-ever Nebraska High School State Video Championships presented by Hurrdat.
This groundbreaking event will bring together the brightest young filmmakers from across the state for a full day of screenings, educational breakout sessions, and networking with industry professionals and college programs. Organizers intend for this inaugural showcase to become a highly anticipated annual tradition for Nebraska’s student creatives.
This event was made possible by a North Platte Public Schools Foundation REACH Grant and an Applegate Support Grant through the Mid-Nebraska Community Foundation.
A point of immense local pride is the impressive showing from the host city: 17 films created by North Platte High School students have been officially selected for the competition, spanning categories from Documentary and Horror to Comedy and Animation.
Media Invitation Members of the press are highly encouraged to attend and cover this unprecedented state event. As the first event of its kind in Nebraska, it offers a unique opportunity to spotlight the future of media and the arts in our state. Media representatives are welcome to attend any session and will have full access to interview student filmmakers, teachers, and industry partners throughout the day.
Public Invitation
The Nebraska State Video Championships is completely open to the public. Community members, family, and friends are invited to attend any or all of the sessions.
Organizers are calling on the North Platte community to help pack the Performing Arts Center(PAC) to support these talented young creators and celebrate this historic milestone. To help make this event sustainable, tickets will be five dollars at the door. This covers all the sessions for the day. Students and children are free.
The event will be hosted by Krystina Engdahl and features an esteemed panel of judges with extensive experience in film, television, animation, and digital media.
Event Schedule
10:00 AM – 10:30 AM | Opening/Hype Videos (Main Gym) Welcome, opening thanks, introduction to host Krystina Engdahl, and Hype Videos screening.
10:40 AM – 11:40 AM | Screening 1 (PAC) Run time: 50 minutes. Categories: Documentary, Animation, and PSAs
11:45 AM – 12:15 PM | Breakout Session 1 Dr. Mike White – Hot Attic Film Program Nathan Ladehoff – STRIV Education
12:15 PM – 1:30 PM | Lunch and Networking (Commons) Mexican Food catered by NPHS FCCLA. Networking Opportunities featuring: Calibraska, Hurrdat Brand Goods Merch Booth, Hurrdat, STRIV, Wayne State College, Made By Things, Mid Plains Community College, Hastings College, A Dog Named Dan Productions, and UNK.
1:30 PM – 2:00 PM | Breakout Session 2Dr. White / Prof. Hagerdon-From Script to ScreenHurrdat – Sports Media
2:15 PM – 3:15 PM | Screening 2 (PAC) Run time: 50 minutes. Categories: ShortShorts, Horror.
3:30 PM – 4:00 PM | Breakout Session 3Jarod Rogers – The Power of Storytelling in FilmmakingHurrdat – What’s It Like to Work in Media
4:10 PM – 5:10 PM | Screening 3 (PAC) Run time: 60 minutes. Categories: Narrative,Comedy.
5:30 PM – 5:50 PM | Awards Ceremony (PAC)5:50 PM Onward | Post-Awards Event An informal reception and photo-op will follow. Students are invited to mingle, take photos with new friends from other schools, and exchange contact info.
Meet the Judges
Erica Larsen-Dockray: Animation and Media Artist, Educator, and Activist. Owner of'eek art' studio. Lecturer at the Johnny Carson Center for Emerging Media Arts (UNL)and founding director of the Calibraska Arts Initiative, bringing professional artists to Nebraska to teach animation and media.
Vincent Cooper: Broadcasting veteran with over 30 years in television. Award-winning engineer of state-of-the-art robotic multi-camera studios. Extensive teaching experience in digital production, editing, Claymation, and satellite broadcast operations.
Bobbi LeAnn Opela: Owner of Bunkhouse Media and Bunkhouse Creative Studio. Over a decade of experience behind the camera, including work with RFD-TV, combining her agricultural roots and love for music through visual storytelling and strategic marketing.
Evan Schrodek: Professional film and television editor and USC MFA graduate. Credits include The Walking Dead, the Resident Evil franchise, Panic, and the Sundance-premiered feature film Burning Sands.
Logan Streeter: Junior in the Wayne State College Film program whose projects have been selected for national film festivals.
Drew Carlson: 3D Animator, Artist, and Game Designer. Studied at the Johnny Carson Center for Emerging Media Arts and focuses on creating immersive, story-driven experiences in the animated films and games industry. Eleanor (Ella) Benson: Graduate of the Johnny Carson Center for Emerging Media Arts. Director and animator of the internationally screened short film Nesting. Currently an artist at Nebraska Public Media, soon attending Sheridan College for Computer Animation.
Kelsey Reiman: Artist, designer, and educator. MFA graduate from Arizona State University and former Black Rock Press Fellow. Currently leads the Graphic Design and Visual Communications Program at Mid Plains Community College.
Job Vigil: Retired journalist with 21 years of experience as a sportswriter, sports editor, news reporter, and managing editor. Also, a former pastor and active musician.
Mac O’Brien: Senior in the Emerging Media Arts program at UNL, specializing in VFX, digital fabrication, and animation. Proficient in a wide array of creative software including Premiere Pro, Cinema 4-D, Blender, and After Effects.
Chris Gorman: Senior Vice President of Hurrdat. Leads the expansion of the Hurrdat Media podcasting network, Hurrdat Sports/Hail Varsity, and the Hurrdat Sports Bar &Grill live event venue.