Ballard High
School’s Digital Filmmaking Program was one of five “exemplary” programs chosen
by the All American High School FilmFestival (AAHSFF) to receive a $5,000 “In Focus” grant from IMAX. The All American High School Film Festival is
the largest high school film festival in the nation, drawing competition from
all across the country. The announcement
was made Friday, October 7th, during the festival’s Opening Night
ceremonies in New York City.
“We selected
programs that produced quality content in the voice of young people that’s raw
and meaningful to their peers. We have a
library of content of about 5,000 films and identified programs that
consistently submitted quality work” said Tom Oliva, Executive Director of the
AAHSFF.
Partnering
with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the “In Focus” initiative
is a component of IMAX “Big Picture”, the corporate social responsibility
program created to leverage the power of film to mobilize action and effect
positive change. The five selected
student film programs will create short films that address
at least one of the UN’s following development goals:
–
Climate action,
which calls for efforts to stem greenhouse gas emissions, which scientists cite
as a major factor in the earth’s changing weather patterns, rising sea levels
and extreme weather events.
–
Life below water, encouraging people, enterprises and nations to conserve and
sustainably use oceans, seas and marine resources. According to the UN, some 3 billion people
depend on marine and coastal biodiversity for their livelihoods.
–
Life on land,
encouraging people, enterprises and nations to sustainably manage forests, and halt and reverse land
degradation. According to the UN,
forests account for a third of the earth’s surface, highlighting the global
imperative to reverse deforestation.
“This effort provides an opportunity for aspiring filmmakers
to elevate their work to a higher platform and work with new film technology,
while encouraging them to use film to effect change and social improvement,”
said Richard Gelfond, IMAX CEO.
The All American High
School Film Festival has a distinguished jury, with such luminaries as screenwriter Diablo Cody, documentary filmmaker
Morgan Spurlock, and actors Kristen Stewart and Dylan McDermott. Official Selections to the festival are also
eligible for awards. Last year, films by BHS Digital
Filmmaking students were finalists for Best Screenplay, Best Directing, Best
Drama, and Best Documentary – as well as two of their productions becoming
finalists for Best Overall Film. (They
won the Best Drama prize. The honored
films from last year can be viewed on the BHS Digital Filmmaking Program’s
vimeo site at www.vimeo.com/bhsfilmprogram .)
This year’s festival, which opened on October 7, features 10 productions
by 21 students in the BHS Digital Filmmaking Program.
