Students are taking creativity to the next level in the 2012-13 Keller ISD Film Festival.
Matt Hill, coordinator of media production, received more than 300 entries.“We had a lot more participation from a variety of schools and ages,” Hill said. “It’s not just the proficiency level getting better, but the creativity has gotten a lot better.”There are 147 finalist entries spread across nine categories. Most categories are split into three age groups: elementary, fifth through eighth grade and high school.Hill said that 50 judges are divided into categories to determine winners in all but the People’s Choice Award. The judges come from district administration, the film and video industry, and officials from the University Interscholastic League’s Academic division.David Stevens, UIL Academic Director, is the former director of fine arts for Keller ISD. UIL officials have talked with Hill about the possibility of starting a competitive category for student filmmaking. Although no decision has been made, Hill told UIL administrators that helping to judge the contest would assist them in their research.Online voting for the People’s Choice Award began on Feb. 11 and continues through Feb. 18. Hill said contest parameters allow one vote per computer each day.One new category has been introduced this year, an award for teacher filmmakers. Most entries came from teachers who instruct students in video production, but some did not. Hill said winning entries were not always the ones with the best production value but those with the most creative concepts.Winners will be announced at an Oscar-style awards ceremony Feb. 28 at Timber Creek High School. Like last year, the elementary and intermediate/middle school-age filmmakers will be honored at 6 pm. while high school students will receive awards at 8 pm.For more information, go to www.kellerisd.net/Film; to view finalist entries, click here. .Sandra Engelland, 817-431-2231 Twitter: @SandraEngelland
