Coca-Cola and Regal announced the winner of the 2017 Coca-Cola and Regal Films student filmmaker program. Students Tom Teller (Bend) and his colleague Julian Conner (Mill Valley, California) from the Dodge College of Film and Media Arts at Chapman University. Coca-Cola has been supporting young filmmakers with their student filmmaker program that grants the winning short film exposure by being seen in movie theaters nationwide. For 2017, Coca-Cola teamed up with Regal Entertainment, a leading motion picture exhibitor owning and operating one of the largest theater chains in the United States.

A Red Ribbon panel of judges made up of entertainment industry representatives including actor and producer Giovanni Ribisi, actor, director and writer Clark Gregg, and director Richie Keen, as well as executives from Coca-Cola, Regal and RED Digital Cinema (RED) selected this year’s winning film.

“As an actor and filmmaker, I understand the importance of real-world experience to develop your career. Student film programs like what Coca-Cola and Regal have created offer a unique opportunity to learn in this way,” said Ribisi, star of the new Amazon series Sneaky Pete and Coca-Cola and Regal Films Red Ribbon panelist. “I enjoyed watching the final five films from the program and it was a pleasure to be a part of the process.”

Their short film Crunch Time, is about a robot standee that comes to life in the lobby of a Regal Cinema, when it is enticed by the sights and sounds of the concessions. Driven by the irresistible crave, the robot decides to leave its own diorama and head into the theater and join other guests, with a delicious, ice-cold Coca-Cola and popcorn in hand.