Entries sought for student film festival

Student videographers who have dreamed of having their creations shown on the big screen have the opportunity to find out what that is like.

The Camas School District is sponsoring a student film festival, and the winning entries will be screened at the Liberty Theatre in downtown Camas.

Finalist videos may also be featured on the district website, YouTube channel and other social media.

The idea originated with the White House student film festival, according to Doreen McKercher, community and school relations coordinator.

“They ran a student film festival for the first time last year,” he said. “We’re using the same idea. We are having the film fest as a vehicle to engage students. We want to know what their thoughts are about the future of CSD, specifically around technology, as they are digital natives. It is an opportunity to give students a voice in our strategic planning process.”

The district is looking for videos that highlight the power of technology in schools, and should address at least one of the following themes: How you currently use technology in your classroom or school and the role technology will play in the future of education.

Topics to be considered include personalized learning, online learning, global collaboration, student creativity, making and tinkering, project based learning and critical thinking.

Ten finalists will be selected for a March Liberty Theatre screening.

“We wanted to screen the films for an audience and make it exciting for the students,” McKercher said. “We plan to have a red carpet and some fanfare at the event. The Liberty seemed the perfect place.”

Submissions are being accepted through Thursday, Jan. 29. The contest is open to students in kindergarten through 12th grade. For official rules, visit www.camas.wednet.edu/call-for-entries-student-film-festival/.