More than 150 videos from high schools, middle schools, and elementary schools were submitted to Bobby Styles, the festival director, for the 3rd annual Porterville Film Festival at the Galaxy Theatre on Wednesday.
Styles is the video production teacher for Monache High School's Multimedia and Technology Academy Pathway.
Also known as MTA, our pathway is designed to give students the real-world experience of working in the industry of Arts, Media and Entertainment,” Styles said.
“We are excited to have everyone here with us this evening, and we’re looking forward to showing some of the incredible work made by students all over the San Joaquin Valley. I’d like to start by thanking a few important people. This festival would not be possible without all of their support and assistance.
“Thank PUSD Superintendent Nate Nelson, and PUSD Pathways Director Cindy Brown and all the teachers and parents who have supported these students and all the advisors from schools that submitted to the festival.”
The Festival Jury Team consisted of 6 influential and knowledgeable educational, technology, and community members, who volunteered their time to watch and score the videos, and more importantly offer positive feedback and constructive criticism for each video.
After the festival the jury comments were shared with the filmmakers to help the students reflect on their work and improve their skills.
Styles thanked the sponsors of the event: Galaxy Theatres and Porterville Kiwanis.
Styles explained students were given a prompt, and given four weeks to complete their videos. The limited amount of time gives them the experience of real-world situations in the film industry, which is known for its fast-paced nature. More than 150 teams submitted videos, and the top-scoring ones were featured.
The audience watched10 of the highest-scoring videos, as scored by the Festival Jury Team. And the Awards were given out later in the evening.
After all the videos were watched the audience voted on the winner of the audience award. The prompt for the short film category students had to feature was a "Christmas Miracle."
Styles again thanked Galaxy Theatre team for sponsoring the event, before he continued to give out drawing prizes donated by Porterville Kiwanis.
Styles announced the winners
AUDIENCE AWARD WINNER VIDEOS
3rd Place: Phone and Social Media Addiction: CTEC, PSA Category, Gabriela Ramirez Ochoa, John Huy Ngo, Alexis Alonzo and Collin McMahon
2nd Place: Christmas Plushie Massacre - Pleasant View Middle School - Kimberly Rossiter, Kayla Pierce, Madelyn Ramirez, Jimena Castro
1st Place: The Grouch - Monache High School - Emmett Bergen, Ramses Gomez, Ryan Calo Alvarado, and Ryen Recek
BEST ADVERTISEMENT MIDDLE SCHOOL
Mickey's Yogurt - Alta Sierra Intermediate - Harper Wiley and Bronwyn Allen
BEST ADVERTISEMENT HIGH SCHOOL
Vanilla Smile Photography - Monache HIgh School- Olivia Bareng, Esperanza Garcia and Alyssa Romero
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS MIDDLE SCHOOL
Be Safe On Halloween - Clark Intermediate - Arrow Green, Kierra Gray, Emma Cox and Bryson Anderson
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS HIGH SCHOOL
3rd Place: Darkness of the Mind - Redwood High School - Tanner Hoffman, April Redden, Jovie Blair, and Elijah Ochs
2nd Place: Choose Life - South High School - Brittany Kinoshita, Chris Baker, Gabriel Lomeli, and Abigael Chapa
1st Place: Did You Know? - Career Technical Education Center - Mary Grace Leyson, Irish Pinkston, Adelin Pineda, and Grace Nazario
SHOR FILM MIDDLE SCHOOL
Bananas - Clark Intermediate - Logan Gentz, Lilly Garringer, and Lisa Gentz
SHORT FILM HIGH SCHOOL
Christmas Spirit - Career Technical Education Center - Kyle Palla, Aris Gomez, Isaac Ortego, and Kenny Valdez
GRAND JURY PRIZE
Be a Life Saver, went to Hannah Johnson from Redwood High School (PSA Category)
The story behind the video was Hannah's father, Matt Johnson, went into cardiac arrest at home and stopped breathing. Her mother, Barb, found him and immediately started CPR and chest compressions and called 911.
She saved Matt's life, and urges everyone to learn CPR. The family courageously made this dramatic video at Hannah's suggestion just days after Matt Johnson came home from the hospital.
Bill Henshaw, who teaches an advanced video class at Redwood High School said Hannah came to him with the idea shortly after her father came home, and he said he wasn't sure.
But Hannah felt the challenge and they did the film with her family. Matt describes what happened in the video and Barb demonstrates doing chest compressions on a CPR "dummy torso." The way the video is filmed really hits home.
Hannah Johnson is already a three times Slick Rock winner, but she said, "the win was completely unexpected, and it was an extremely personal video. And an extremely important topic." “Congratulations to all the winners,” said Styles. “And thank you once again for joining us tonight. This has been a great celebration of student creativity and passion. Can we please give a hand one more time to all of the students that created videos for tonight’s event?
“We hope you had a good experience, and hopefully you can join us again next year for this annual film festival.”