Film fest is no video game for local auteurs

Monte Sonnenberg
SIMCOE REFORMER

The Holy Trinity Film Festival is serving its intended purpose.

The fourth annual installment of the competition was held last night at Holy Trinity Catholic High School in Simcoe. As expected, students are getting better with each new effort.

"It's an opportunity for kids to showcase their work" said Holy Trinity media teacher Caroline Freibauer. "More and more kids are playing with video cameras. This gives them a showcase. It's a was as well to link the schools from both boards — elementary and secondary."

A panel of six judges sat through more than 20 short entries in the atrium of Holy Trinity. Prizes were awarded in the elementary and secondary divisions. Prizes were also awarded in the category of Christian values and People's Choice. Last night was also the first time a People's Choice winner was picked. It was won by Holy Trinity students. Total value of the prize purse was $2,000.

The festival enjoys the full support and participation of principal John Burroughs. He said the festival is necessary because the official curriculum hasn't caught up with today's "tech-savvy" teens.

"The arts have taken a backseat in our educational institutions," he said. "But we're dealing with tech-savvy students who can produce high-quality work. They deserve this. I honestly believe we have to bring the arts alive for our students. It's incumbent on us as educators to do that."

Winners at last night's competition were:

Elementary School

First — A Silent Threat, Our Lady of Providence, Brantford
Second — Lost Socks, Christ the King, Brantford
Third — The Beginning of the End, St. Frances Cabrini, Delhi

High School

First — Cry Havoc, Holy Trinity, Simcoe
Second — Liberate my Slurpie, Assumption College, Brantford
Third — Smoekahsaurus, Assumption College, Brantford

Christian Values — Our Lady of Fatima, Holy Trinity, Simcoe

People's Choice — Cry Havoc, Holy Trinity, Simcoe