
Last night–downtown, sometime around sunset, at a block party hosted by the Art Institute of Portland–the best nine films we received in the “My Pretty Portland” film contest were screened. We got over 30 entries, and for myself and a crack team of intrepid Mercury writers, it was no easy task to decide the winners, but I think we did an alright job of it. It should probably be noted here that we gave extra credit to films that featured unicorns.
My memory of last night is the tiniest bit blurry thanks to my possible abuse of the drink ticket system, but I remember enough of the evening to know it went pretty well, and the crowd seemed to dig most of the entries. For those of you who couldn’t make it out last night–and those who were there and want to re-watch particular films–here are the nine finalists we selected. The first place winner is immediately below, with second place and seven others (plus an honorable mention!) after the jump.
FIRST PLACE
My Pretty Portland by Quarter Orange
SECOND PLACE
My Pretty Portland by Tim & Brad Freels
FINALISTS
Portland Has Bad Art by The 3rd Floor
PDX Wake-Up by Seth Sonstein
Hydropods by Cyril Victor and Hydropods
All the Parts That Make It by Nickey Robare
Portland, Oreganic by Johnny Buell
The Syllogism by Kathleen Bryson
My Pretty Portland by Loren Judah
HONORABLE MENTION
Okay, so this one might not “officially” be a finalist–it didn’t screen last night, ’cause the filmmaker couldn’t get it to us in high quality. But that said, it was a favorite around the Mercury offices, and I just wouldn’t feel right if it wasn’t on here.
My Pretty Portland by David Cook

Erik you suck
Concerning the “portland has bad art” video
that “sticks and stones” is not “the little prince”
it is Terra Incognita
“the little prince” is the crown on its’ side!
I can’t believe you did not include the nut sack pm 10th and Burnside in your video.
I saw the worst public art ever in the entire world in Seattle this week. I am still mad at my sister for pointing it out and polluting my brain with it.
I will not taint your brains with it. Just do not look at any public art if on the new light rail line on south Rainer way.
Nicky Robare’s video wins first place in my mind.
Pegasuses.
Could someone please post the name of the musical artist(s) that provided the score for the second video. Thanks!