The first annual Blackland Prairie Student Film Festival was held on Thursday, April 21, 2022, at Film Alley in neighboring Terrell, Texas, featuring the work of students throughout Forney ISD. Presented by the Forney Education Foundation, the event began on the red carpet with photos and a Meet & Greet with the stars of the films. Surrounded by fans, family members, and FISD administration, the student filmmakers signed movie posters and posed for photos as the crowd anxiously awaited the start of the festival.
“The Blackland Prairie Student Film Festival has been a long time in the making, and it came together even better than we expected,” said Addison McElveen, director of Forney’s A/V program. “I tell my students all the time to just ‘go all in’ on their projects. I tell them that, contrary to what many of them believe, it’s okay to learn through time and failure. But there is no excuse for not committing fully. They’ve known for a while that they were going to sit in a packed theater and have to watch their work on the big screen. They needed to give everything they had out of respect to themselves and all those who were willing to show up and support them. I can honestly say that they went all in.”
Nine films were featured over the course of the evening, including two selections produced by seniors from the Class of 2021, the Admin Boys (Reid Kirkwood and Oliver Faith). Additionally, the audience witnessed the big screen debut of Dylan Kapitan, the festival’s only middle school participant who submitted a stop-action film entitled Mission Z1. Other films featured were: The Box by Jacquelyn Garcia, starring Tanner Howland and Alexis Abart; Kung-Fu Blondie by Clayton Andrews, starring Alexander Donawho; Ho, Ho, Homicide by Alondra Cayme, starring Kylee Pierce and Clayton Andrews; CTRL-C by Aiden Pena, starring Cecilia Herrera; White Buffalo: The Senior Prank That Saved Rock n’ Roll by Raptor Faction Pictures, starring Jared Lytle, Clayton Andrews, Alexis Abart, Alexander Donawho, and Jacquelyn Garcia; and Immerse by Mayeh Thomas, starring Sydney Preskitt.
“In a day and age where kids are often afraid to fail or unwilling to try, I could not be more proud of the work that these young filmmakers put in. Many of them were directing, acting, or editing, for the first time, yet they didn’t let that stop them from trying something that few ever will. I am so glad that they had a night to cheer, watch, and be celebrated alongside their crew members,” commented McElveen.
An awards ceremony wrapped up the evening. Films were judged by four professionals in the filmmaking industry in six different categories, and winners in each category were presented with an award and gave acceptance speeches. Best Screenplay was awarded to Ho, Ho, Homicide. The award for Best Editor went to Luke Alms for White Buffalo. Best Cinematography went to Michelle Escajeda and Alexis Abart for their work on Ho, Ho, Homicide. Jacquelyn Garcia was crowned Best Actress for her role in White Buffalo, while Clayton Andrews won Best Actor for his performance in Ho, Ho, Homicide. Finally, the Best Picture award was presented to the cast and crew for Ho, Ho, Homicide.
One of the evening’s many FISD dignitaries in attendance, Forney’s Superintendent, Dr. Justin Terry said, “I am blown away with the talent of our audio/visual students and teachers. The film productions and extra efforts to make this evening special were impressive. I appreciate the support of the Forney Education Foundation bringing the students’ films to the big screen at Film Alley, making the event red carpet worthy. This film festival is just another great example of our expanding career programs preparing our students for the future.”
Forney ISD is truly “inspiring students through innovative education”, and the first annual Blackland Prairie Student Film Festival is just one example of the many ways Forney’s students are able to experience this vision statement come to life.
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