As we watched this year’s entries, we quickly came to appreciate, and to remember, that adolescence is a very unique moment. You have some of the world under your belt, while the entire rest of your life lies ahead. To make a film at this time of life is ripe with possibilities.

Our favorite films were those that put a story in a new skin, made apt use of whatever technology was available, and marched confidently onto the screen, inviting us, even demanding us, to watch them again. Some weren’t afraid to show their raw edges, and we were moved by that. Especially captivating were the ones that captured the essence of adolescence itself—throwing a wink and a nudge to the past, while simultaneously imagining the form’s thriving future.

Stay curious. Make mistakes and be grateful for them. Know your strengths. Do your research. Don’t worry about reinventing the wheel because those coming behind you are going to reinvent it again anyway. Just keep picking up the camera and aiming high. We are in our seats, excited, ready for the lights to go down.

Kyle Aldrich
Stephanie Hough
Melissa Tvetan

Melissa Tvetan is an independent animator/filmmaker with a background in editorial management for LAIKA/house and the Sundance Institute Director’s Lab.

Kyle Aldrich is the department director for the Art Institute of Portland’s Digital Film & Video and Photography & Design programs.

A graduate of the School of Film’s Certificate Program in Film, Stephanie Hough is an award-winning media maker with a bent for experimental film.

Special thanks to Emily Mercer and Elise Smart for their behind-the-scenes help in preparing this year’s festival.

Saturday, November 8, 2 p.m.
Whitsell Auditorium
FREE ADMISSION

WINNING WORKS

BURL PATROL
FILMMAKERS: GAVIN BRADLEY, ANTON LIAKHOVITCH, DARMIS TARAGHI, RACHEL WILLIAMS
NW DOCUMENTARY, OMSI, PORTLAND, OR
(DOC) A theft alert arrives from deep inside the forest. (7 mins.)

A WING, A BILL, OR A FOOT
FILMMAKERS: BAILEY, EVAN, DANA, DIANA, GWYNN
NW DOCUMENTARY, OMSI, PORTLAND, OR
(DOC) Bird population behavior is revealed in surprising ways. (5 mins.)

RAVEN ROCK
FILMMAKERS: RACHEL COLE, JAYA FLANARY, MEAGEN TAJALLE
BALLARD HIGH SCHOOL, SEATTLE, WA
(DOC)) Equine therapy’s dual effect on rescued horses and at-risk youth. (8 mins.)

CLIPPED WINGS
FILMMAKERS: LEO PFEIFER, DUNCAN GOWDY, COLEMAN ANDERSON
BALLARD HIGH SCHOOL, SEATTLE, WA
(DOC) On the journey to Eagle Scout, discrimination gets in the way. (8 mins.)

ABDUCTION
FILMMAKER: HAYLIE BOLTE
VANCOUVER SCHOOL OF ARTS AND ACADEMICS, VANCOUVER, WA
(ANI) A loved one goes missing. (1 min.)

PARADOX PROBLEM
FILMMAKERS: “THURSDAY THING” VIDEO CLUB
PORTLAND COMMUNITY MEDIA, PORTLAND, OR
(NAR) The wild journey of experimental time travel. (5 mins.)

THE BRILLIANT MIND OF CEDRIC KUZNETZOV
FILMMAKER: SPENCER SLOVIC
PORTLAND, OR
(NAR) A rule-bound scientist cures himself while curing others. (7 mins.)

AIR PRESSURE
FILMMAKERS: LEO PFEIFER, COLEMAN ANDERSON, JOSH VREDEVOOGD
BALLARD HIGH SCHOOL, SEATTLE, WA
(NAR) A man and his balloon art are under pressure, on and off stage. (7 mins.)

FLIGHT
FILMMAKER: ALEX FORTMANN
LAKE OSWEGO, OR
(NAR) The power of imagination bridges childhood and adolescence. (2 mins.)

BUSTER WAS A MAN
FILMMAKERS: ADAM MACARTHUR, ETHAN SENEKER
EVERETT, WA
(NAR) What it takes to break out of a daily routine. (5 mins.)

TOTAL RUNNING TIME: 90 MINUTES

FRESH FILM NORTHWEST recognizes individual talent, showcases model examples of how media arts can be taught in schools, and engages all of us in helping to build the Northwest regional youth media community of 13-to 19-year-olds. In addition to being included in this year’s lineup, selected works are recognized with one of three awards:

			Creative Self Expression FOR OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN CINEMATIC STORYTELLING
			FLIGHT FILMMAKER: ALEX FORTMANN LAKE OSWEGO, OR BUSTER WAS A MAN FILMMAKERS: ADAM MACARTHUR, ETHAN SENEKER EVERETT, WA
			Integrative Learning FOR INNOVATION IN INTEGRATING MEDIA INTO ACADEMIC CONTENT
			BURL PATROL FILMMAKERS: GAVIN BRADLEY, ANTON LIAKHOVITCH, DARMIS TARAGHI, RACHEL WILLIAMS NW DOCUMENTARY AND OMSI, PORTLAND, OR
			Heart FOR AUTHENTICITY AND HUMANE TREATMENT OF A SUBJECT
			CLIPPED WINGS FILMMAKERS: LEO PFEIFER, DUNCAN GOWDY, COLEMAN ANDERSON BALLARD HIGH SCHOOL, SEATTLE, WA

To view, please visit vimeo.com/schooloffilm starting Nov. 8.

AUDIO INPUT
FILMMAKERS: SHO SCHROCK, DUNCAN BOSZKO, PIPER PHILLIPS, JACK O’NEAL
BALLARD HIGH SCHOOL, SEATTLE, WA
(DOC) What lurks behind the microphones of podcasters. (7 mins.)

PIP THE CUP
FILMMAKER: ADAM MACARTHUR
EVERETT, WA
(ANI) The infinite lifecycle of a Styrofoam cup. (5 mins.)

SCREEN PROTECTION
FILMMAKER: HOPE ALEXANDER, CALEN COATES, KATIE YATES
SABIN-SCHELLENBERG TECHNICAL CENTER, MILWAUKIE, OR
(DOC) Breaking the cycle of cyber bullying. (15 mins.)

ADOLESCENCE
FILMMAKER: GILLIAN THOMAS
PORTLAND, OR
(NAR) Pushing the boundaries and having some fun. (5 mins.)

MUFFINS
FILMMAKER: HADLEY HILLEL
SEATTLE ACADEMY, SEATTLE, WA
(NAR) A hit man plays host to his victims. (6 mins.)