With mistress of ceremonies Jaclyn Friedlander.

Pens to Lens is a K-12 student screenwriting competition organized in collaboration with 40 North, Champaign Movie Makers, Champaign Urbana Design Organization (CUDO), and the Champaign Park District.

Local youth write scripts and area filmmakers pick their favorites to produce as actual short films and designers create movie posters for selected scripts.

The completed films and posters are presented to the community in a red-carpet event that honors these talented young screenwriters.



PENS TO LENS aims to educate local youth about filmmaking. The program is a gateway to learning modern technology, classic artistic concepts, communication through writing and dialogue, and collaboration with peers and mentors.

PENS TO LENS provides opportunities, tools, and learning resources to the education communities of East Central Illinois and gives a voice to students of all backgrounds. The program is a unique, fun way for students to learn and express themselves through the medium of film.

• 40 North
• Champaign Movie Makers
• CUDO
• Champaign Park District