BALLARD FILMMAKERS WIN BEST DRAMA AT NATIONAL FESTIVAL

Stolen - a film by Ballard High School Digital Filmmaking students Coleman Andersen and Leo Pfeifer, won Best Drama at the All American High School Film Festival in New York City.  The award was presented on Sunday, October 11 at the 2015 Teen Indie Awards in Manhattan’s historic Kings Theater. 

Pfeifer, a 4th year student in the Digital Filmmaking Program who plans to study film in college, travelled to New York to attend the festival.  Anderson (BHS ’15) is now a freshman studying film at New York University.  The two co-produced Stolen at BHS last fall.

It was a good night for the Ballard filmmakers.  In addition to Best Drama, Stolen was also a Finalist for Best Screenplay and Best Overall Film.  Clipped Wings - also by Coleman Andersen and Leo Pfeifer, with Duncan Gowdy - was a Finalist for Best Directing, Best Documentary, and Best Overall Film.  The films were judged by a prestigious jury including professionals such as screenwriter Diablo Cody, documentary filmmaker Morgan Spurlock, and actors Kristen Stewart and Dylan McDermott.  

Air Pressure (again by Coleman Andersen and Leo Pfeifer, with Josh Vredevoogd) was also an Official Selection of the festival.

Stolen questions the cost of revenge.  Clipped Wings tells the story of those most affected by the Boy Scouts of America’s ban on gay members.  Air Pressure examines the aftermath of a disaster at the Balloon Animal World Championships.  To see the films, visit the Ballard High School Digital Filmmaking Program vimeo site at www.vimeo.com/bhsfilmprogram .