Thursday night’s 10th annual NEPSA video awards, a showcase of local short films, kicked off The Meeting, followed by a party at the Sundeck atop Aspen Mountain.

This year’s showing of NEPSA (Aspen spelled backwards) submissions were stronger than ever, according conference organizers. Filmmakers were required to theme their video into one of the following categories: “Before Aspen,” “First Chair” or “Duct Tape to Diamonds.” Below are the results.

• First place: “Erste Stuhl: 2012” by Howie Kuhn and Kendall Reiley, taking home $2,000.

• Second place: “Before Aspen” by Geoff Stump, winning $1,000.

• Third place: “Circle of Corduroy” by Derrin Carelli, taking home $500.

Carelli, who documented what it’s like to be a snowcat driver on Aspen Mountain in “Circle of Corduroy,” also took home a $500 Target gift card for winning crowd favorite, based on a text-in vote.

The videos from NEPSA are now live on www.youtube.com/aspensnowmass [1].

Colorful dancing, thousands of dollars in prizes and tons of tamales make up English in Action’s annual fundraiser today. Fiesta de Tamales celebrates the cultures that enrich the Roaring Fork Valley, while raising money and awareness for a local nonprofit.

The evening will feature a performance by Aspen Santa Fe Ballet’s Folklórico dancers, entertainment from magician Doc Eason, DJ Tyler Tucker, a local choir, and more than 1000 tamales and pupusas. Fiesta de Tamales will take place at the Basalt Middle School from 5-9 p.m. Tickets are $15 per adult and $5 per child. Entertainment and dinner are included.

Prize giveaways include an iPad, a custom child’s playhouse and a pamper package, complete with Aspen Club & Spa gift certificates and personal training. Prize drawing tickets are available in advance or at the door.

English in Action is a local nonprofit organization with the mission of building community and intercultural relationships through language and leadership development. This is done through a one-on-one tutoring program where English-speaking volunteers meet with students of all nationalities for an hour a week to help them learn English.

Annually, the organization serves more than 230 adult students with the help of more than 150 volunteer tutors. English In Action currently has a waiting list of 70 adults who want to learn English with no advertising on the organization’s part.

For more information, call 970 963-9200.