Festival selects BHS Filmmaking Program for IMAX grant

Ballard High School’s Digital Filmmaking Program was one of five “exemplary” programs chosen by the All American High School Film Festival 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 7, during the festival’s Opening Night ceremonies in New York City.

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 raise awareness of the UN’s 2030 sustainability agenda, creating original content to specifically 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, including 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 – in addition to two of their productions becoming finalists for Best Overall Film.

The honored films from last year can be viewed on the BHS Digital Filmmaking Program’s vimeo page.

This year’s festival features 10 productions by 21 students in the BHS Digital Filmmaking Program.

Congratulations again to all involved in the BHS Digital Filmmaking Program!