The Inaugural EMSP Esports Championships

CLIENT: East Metro Steam Partnership

PROJECT: Introducing East Multnomah County’s inaugural Esports Championship — a weekend-long tournament and expo at Mt. Hood Community College that brought together hundreds of students, teachers, industry professionals, and community leaders to explore the growing world of esports and technology education. Far beyond outdated stereotypes about gaming, this story highlights how esports can open pathways into STEAM fields through game development, computer science, PC building, teamwork, and leadership — while also improving student engagement and learning outcomes. In a region where many young people face barriers to technological access, the event created opportunities for East County youth to connect with future-focused careers and educational resources.Told through the voices of educators, students, and professionals from Intel, East Metro STEAM Partnership, Vanta Gaming, NSBE Professionals, and Mt. Hood Community College, the film explores how gaming can become a powerful tool for learning, inclusion, and opportunity. "We're raising the bar of technologically savvy people who will be, frankly the future leaders" - Corey Frazier, Ph. D APPROACH: MetroEast dedicated its full production team to capturing the scale and energy of the event, documenting the many moving parts of the expo and tournament experience. Working closely with Jarviz Hall and the East Metro STEAM Partnership team, we interviewed students, educators, and industry professionals to present a wide range of perspectives on the impact of esports and STEAM education. Visually, we approached the film with the intensity and momentum of an extreme sports video, incorporating dynamic graphics, fast-paced editing, and multi-screen visuals to reflect the excitement and immersive nature of competitive gaming culture. RESULTS: The completed video helped demonstrate the value and educational impact of the program, supporting future funding opportunities for EMSP’s esports initiatives. Since the inaugural event, the Esports Championship has continued annually and is now entering its fourth year. Learn more about what EMSP is up to here: https://www.eastmetrosteam.org/