Lights, Camera, Action!: Annual GPS Film & Video Festival Bestows 18 Awards
Lights, Camera, Action!: Annual GPS Film & Video Festival Bestows 18 Awards
Hailey Borden
Students and family from all of Gilbert Public School’s 5 comprehensive high schools gathered in the Gilbert High auditorium on May 6th, awaiting a viewing of this year’s talented high school students’ Film Fest videos.
This was the 3rd annual GPS Film Fest. 51 student videos were submitted and viewed, with participants from all 5 of GPS’s comprehensive high schools, and almost 2 hours worth of video content.
The Film Fest was created to promote high school videography Career and Technical Education courses - showing off the students’ work to a wider audience in the hopes of encouraging other students to join the following year.
With sponsors and judges from various creative and technical disciplines across the state, the Fest judging process allows students to have their work reviewed by specialists in their field. The evening event also allows competitors the chance to experience their work amidst a live audience of family, fellow students, and GPS staff, understanding the difference between creating art for in-person versus digital consumption.
Enthusiasm for the event from teachers and students has grown over the last 3 years and many students have submitted their work each year. They hope to come out of the event with a prize, but they also gain the memories and experiences of working with friends on a project they’re all passionate about. Some projects even brought students from different schools together.
David Holguin, a junior at Mesquite High and Director of 8ball, which won Audience Choice, Best Short Film, and Best Cinematography, was beaming after receiving his awards. “It’s great that the Film Festival lets me show my creativity and passion for video production. Getting awards for doing what I love might be the best feeling,” he says.
David’s passion for film started at a young age, heightening the honor of receiving these awards. “When I was a little kid all I did was collect DVDs and VHS. All I wanted to do was watch movies and record my own. Doing that, I was able to learn from the best.”
All creators put incredible effort and passion into their projects, but this year’s winners came away from the event with an increased sense of pride, a certificate, and some fun prizes.
Best Short Film: 8ball by David Holguin
2nd Place Short Film: Unraveling the Secrets of Cyber Security by Nico Miranda
2nd Place Short Film: The Jaguar - Behind the Scenes by Drew Jury
3rd Place Short Film: Outside His Room by Jordan Callison
Best Ad/Promo: I’M BATMAN. by Nathan Bress
Best Newscast: Highland Production Video by Max Bedell
Best Social Video: Nepal Trip Video by Paige Stephens
Best Music Video: The Jaguar by Drew Jury
Best Sports Reel: Football Preseason Hype Video by Mico Miranda
Audience Choice: 8ball by David Holguin
Best Actor/Actress: Tara Blankenship & Sadie Mclesky for Amway College
Best Director: Thomas Wudel for The Clones
Best Cinematography: David Holguin for 8ball
Best Editing: Nico Miranda for Unraveling the Secrets of Cyber Security
Best Visual/Special Effects: Drew Jury for The Jaguar
Best Sound Design: Nathan Bress for 500 Words
Best News Anchor/Reporter: Jacob Frederics for Fallen Angel Project
“Best of the Fest” School Award: Highland High
GPS would like to give a special thanks to the sponsors who made this event possible: Benson Systems, Core, McCarthy, Pueblo, Progressive Roofing, and SPS + Architects.
To learn more about what CTE courses are offered at our GPS high schools, visit our website https://www.gilbertschools.net/teaching-learning/academic-programs/cte.
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