LIGHTS! CAMERA! ACTION!

Small Schools Film Festival A Smashing Success.

More than 100 students, parents, teachers and business leaders attended the first annual E3 Oregon Small Schools Film Festival on the evening of May 9th at the Guild Theatre in Portland.   

Created in cooperation with the NW Film Center and the Young Film Makers Program, the Small Schools Film Festival provided an opportunity for students to use the creative medium of filmmaking to express their thoughts about the changes occurring at their highs schools.  All of the schools participating in the Oregon Small Schools Initiative were given video cameras and training at the start of the grant so they could chronicle their experiences.

Students and teachers from eight schools participated in the film festival.  Students worked in teams to create short (3-5 minute) films on the theme of “change in our schools”.

“This was a wonderful opportunity for students to express their feelings, fears and hopes for small schools,” said Karen Phillips, director of the initiative.  “We were very impressed with the quality of the work produced by the students.”

Participating schools included Woodburn High School, Liberty High School, Academy of Arts & Academics (Springfield), Crater High School, South Medford High School, Newberg High School, North Medford High School and the Lebanon Campus.

Following the screening at the Guild Theatre, each of the participating schools and their team of student film makers were recognized with a certificate of participation and a round of applause.  Special Jury Awards were given to three films.  Mimi Bergen, from Newberg High School was award an Honorable Mention for her film, “Big/Small”.   Sam Wilder and Michael McPhee from South Medford High School were also awarded an Honorable Mention for their film “From the Holocaust to Small Schools.” 

   Karen Phillips presents award to Mimi Bergen.

The Jury Prize went to the team of students from the Lebanon Campus for their film, “Blossoming”.  The student team included Chellsy Rash, Taylor Ross, Tana Bishop, Jana Deppe, Lilly Gilbert, Crystal Johnston, Ryan Lott, Melanie Ogilvie, and Hannah Welker.  The teacher advisor was Diane Michael.  Each student and the teacher on the winning team received a gift certificate toward filmmaking classes at the NW Film Center School.

“The quality of student film work was outstanding,” said Phillips.  “We look forward to having an even larger number of students participate in the festival next year.”

The festival was a success due to the outstanding work of the students and teachers who participated, and because of the support provided by the NW Film Center staff and crew.  Plans are already underway for next year’s festival. Themes and registration information will be available in early fall to all schools participating in the Oregon Small Schools Initiative.

If you would like additional information about the E3 Small Schools Film Festival, please contact Charlie LaTourette at 503-595-7615.