Film Festival a Smashing Success

See the winning film!  Click JURY PRIZE WINNER here to see the three minute film created by Angela Valenzuela and Anthea Vang, from the Arts Communication & Technology High school (ACT) on the Roosevelt Campus.  (Flash Player required to view video.)

More than 100 students, parents, teachers and business leaders attended the second annual E3 Oregon Small Schools Film Festival on Monday evening May 7th at the Portland Art Museum.

Created in cooperation with the NW Film Center and the Young Film Makers Program, the Small Schools Film Festival provides an opportunity for students to use the creative medium of filmmaking to express their thoughts about the changes occurring at their high schools.  This year’s theme was “Tell us how your school is unique.”

Prior to the screening a reception was held in the art museum sculpture courtyard to honor the student film makers.  Samantha Rohrich (pictured below far left) a student from Liberty High School Campus serenaded the crowd with her beautiful flute playing while guests mingled and enjoyed refreshments.

Following the reception, guests were escorted through the art museum to the beautiful Whitsell Auditorium to watch the seven three-minute student films. 

“This was a wonderful opportunity for students to showcase what makes their small school special,” said Karen Phillips, director of the initiative. “We were very impressed with the quality of the work produced by the students.”

Participating schools included Academy of Arts & Academics (Springfield), South Medford High School, Newberg High School, North Medford High School, Arts Communications & Technology – Roosevelt Campus, Leadership & Entrepreneurship Charter Public High School Portland), and Madison High School.

Following the screening, each of the schools and their team of student film makers were recognized with certificates of participation, a FW Film Center bag filled with goodies, and a wild round of applause from the enthusiastic crowd.

(Students and teachers from all the participating schools accept their awards of appreciation.)

 JURY AWARD

The Jury Prize for outstanding achievement in film was awarded to Angela Valenzuela and Anthea Vang (pictured below), both sophomores at Arts Communication & Technology High school (ACT) on the Roosevelt Campus.  Their untitled film about ACT was produced in documentary style and featured interviews with students and teachers that showcases why ACT is a unique and exciting place to attend high school.  The jury was delightfully surprised by the technical achievement and effective story telling produced by the young film makers.

See the winning film!  Click JURY PRIZE WINNER here to see the three minute film created by Angela Valenzuela and Anthea Vang, from the Arts Communication & Technology High school (ACT) on the Roosevelt Campus.  (Flash Player required to view video.)

“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.”

Students from South Medford High School 10-12 were awarded an Honorable Mention for their film, “New Kid”, a moving portrait of the fears experienced by new students and how the positive and friendly culture on the South Medford campus helps make new students feel welcomed.

Accepting the award were teachers and student film makers (pictured below) from left to right: Tim Rupp, Sam Wilder, Rousseaux Brasseur, Mary Wiezcorek and Zach Campbell.

The festival was a big success due to the outstanding work of all 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, and the 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.

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