The votes are in, the jury has spoken, and filmmaker Keith Heyward, with the help of his star, Oliver de Loaf, scored first place in the Howcast Emerging Filmmakers Program contest, the How-To Video Challenge. The contest was a call for filmmakers, DIYers and experts to reinvent the how-to video format, and Keith’s unique take on the traditional cooking spot did just that. Using top-notch stop-motion animation skills, Keith’s video, How To Make Olive Bread, features Oliver, a talking loaf of olive bread, narrating the recipe for homemade olive bread (what else?). Dancing Kalamata olives, a “lovely” sourdough starter, and “dashing” salt round out the charming cast in a stellar video that made us smile and salivate at the same time. Kudos to Keith for a well-earned win!

Scoring second and third place in the How-To Video Challenge were Anthony Redendo and Meghan Mathes. Anthony’s video teaches audiences a unique lesson, How To Stage a Hit-And-Run Using Special Effects. Anthony is such a pro at the editing effect, we dare you not to cringe when you see the car “collide” with his actor! Meghan’s video teaches audiences a technique also rarely mastered, How To Spoon, as in how to cozy up to a partner in bed. Accompanied by a sweet song written especially for the spot, Meghan’s video covers all the spooning basics, including what to do with that other arm and no-nos like snoring.

Congratulations to these talented filmmakers! And, again, big props to all the contestants who impressed us with their creativity, style, and skill! We‘re looking forward to continuing to work with these talented filmmakers. Coming soon: a showcase of some more entries that captured the attention of voters and judges!