This May, the motion picture arts program hosted the second annual Future of Cinema International Film Festival at the DeRoy Center for Film Studies. The annual festival provides a setting for high school filmmakers to meet peers who share their interest and learn from professional filmmakers who want to help the young artists and storytellers. Participants screen works, talk with accomplished professionals and learn about their craft. In only its second year, the festival attracted more than 100 entries from around the world.
“What makes this festival unique is that we are showcasing the work of high school students,” said Michael Mittelsteadt, director of the motion picture arts program at Interlochen. “But this is not just a competition for high school students, it’s also an opportunity for education.”
Participants have many opportunities to learn from and interact with accomplished guest filmmakers at the event.
This year’s guest filmmakers included:
Adrian Belic – Director of the Oscar-nominated documentary, Genghis Blues and Beyond the Call
Logan and Noah Miller – Authors of the new book, Either You’re In or You’re In the Way and directors of Touching Home, a film featuring actor Ed Harris.
ARRI Camera and Lighting – An industry-leader in motion picture equipment, ARRI sent representatives to give hands-on demonstrations to young filmmakers.
Best of Festival
Dinner on Evergreen Street: Project Mouse by Nicholas Marino, Nouvel Catholic High School, Saginaw, Mich.(animation)
Bevlogen door de Wind (Passion for the Wind) by Thomas Van der Gronde, The Netherlands (documentary)
Runner-up: Best of Festival
My Last Summer with Jamie Winters by Travis Ratcliff, Plano, Texas
Winner: Animation
Dinner on Evergreen Street: Project Mouse by Nicholas Marino, Nouvel Catholic High School, Saginaw, Mich.
Winner: Documentary
Bevlogen door de Wind (Passion for the Wind) by Thomas Van der Gronde, The Netherlands
Winner: Narrative
My Last Summer with Jamie Winters by Travis Ratcliff, Plano, Texas
Winner: Screenwriting
The Last Laugh by David Harrison, Miami, Fla.
