Filmmaking students from Maine East, Maine South and Maine West High Schools earned a range of honor awards at the recent Midwest Media Educators Association (MMEA) Film Festival, as well as recognition from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS). The MMEA Film Festival recognizes student achievement in television. The NATAS Student Production Award competitions encourage the pursuit of excellence in video production and focus public attention on outstanding achievements produced by students.
“The recognition our students earned through both the Midwest Media Educators’ Association Film Festival and the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences is an incredible reflection of their creativity, dedication, and storytelling ability,” says Maine West Fine Arts Department Chair Jennifer Mullen. “Across all three high schools, students were recognized at every festival level, and having projects earn a Crystal Pillar Award – the student equivalent of an Emmy – is an extraordinary accomplishment.”
The following District 207 students won awards at this year’s MMEA Film Festival:
Maine East
Carter Antos (11th grade) and Gael Zamudio (11th grade) – “Consume or Be Consumed” – 4th place, Comedic Narrative
Miguel De Loyola (12th grade) and Sargon Esha (12th grade) – “Theater Communications: A Class for Everyone” – 1st place, Natural Audio News Package
Daniel Lucero (12th grade) – “Escaping Mariah” – 5th place, Movie Trailers
Maine South
Anthony Bergeron (12th grade), Peter Corthinos (12th grade) and Ash Lepore (12th grade) – “Soul Read” – 3rd place, Movie Trailers
Luke Compton (12th grade) and Dominic Wynne (10th grade) – “Over Everything” – 4th place, Movie Trailers
Andrew George (10th grade), Ash Lepore (12th grade), Stephen Marinis (10th grade), Colin Meade (11th grade) and WMTH – “Right in Front of You” – 3rd place, 7-Day Film Challenge
Luke Compton (12th grade) – Composite of various film work reel – 3rd place, Cinematography
Colin Meade (11th grade) – “Siren of Fatigue” – 3rd place, Music Video
Luke Compton (12th grade) – “Romulus” – 5th place, Music Video
Gianna Barcinas (11th grade), Melina Cesur (10th grade), Ash Lepore (12th grade), Kiki Zezelj (10th grade), Marissa Waters (12th grade) and Dominic Wynne (10th grade) – “PWI Schools” – 5th place, Documentary
Maine West
Ray Copeland (12th grade) and Mikko Espino – The Hyperfix Podcast – 2nd place, Talk Show
Vanessa D’Ottone (11th grade), Cris Lawpattanapong (12th grade), Josh Murphy (12th grade) and Carlos Oraha (12th grade) – Bob Misevich’s Honor Flight – 4th place, Documentary
Mikko Espino (12th grade) and Kallie Vanadia (12th grade) – Filtered Out – 4th place, Public Service Announcement
Additionally, the District 207 students below received national recognition for their projects by NATAS:
Maine East
Miguel De Loyola (12th grade) and Sargon Esha (12th grade) – Theater Communications: A Class for Everyone
Miguel De Loyola (12th grade), Sargon Esha (12th grade), Daniel Siwy (12th grade) and Gael Zamudio (11th grade) – Luca: A Magician in the Making
Maine South
Luke Compton (12th grade) – Over Everything, Directing
Luke Compton (12th grade) and Dominic Wynne (10th grade) – Over Everything, Short Film Fiction
Maine West
Nolan Bain (12th grade), Yezmeen Talbert (12th grade), Alex Trejo (11th grade), Korbin Maynard (11th grade) – Fantastic Feasts and Where to Find Them: Marina Mariscos, Arts & Entertainment
Noah Becker (11th grade), Jackson Glunt (10th grade), Ethan Lindgren (11th grade), Korbin Maynard (11th grade), Mevis Membribes (12th grade), Lucy Pluta (12th grade), Karina Ramirez (12th grade) and Frederick Vis (12th grade) – Make it Through, Music Video
Jackson Glunt (10th grade), Ethan Lindgren (11th grade), Korbin Maynard (11th grade), Mevis Membribes (12th grade), Ivan Ochoa (12th grade), Karen Orozco (11th grade), Lucy Pluta (12th grade), Frederick Vis (12th grade), and Abin Varghese (11th grade) – Jim Cook’s Honor Flight, Non-Fiction Short Form
Mikko Espino (12th grade) and Kallie Vanadia (12th grade) – Filtered Out, Public Service Announcement – Crystal Pillar Award Winners
“What makes these achievements especially meaningful is that students are creating professional-level work while still in high school, learning how to collaborate, communicate ideas, and connect with audiences through powerful visual storytelling,” explains Mullen. “We are incredibly proud of the work our students and teachers continue to produce and grateful that our programs provide students with opportunities to create at such a high level.”