The Junior League of Greenwich and Greenwich Library co-sponsored the 2015 Greenwich Youth Film Festival (GYFF) April 26 in the Cole Auditorium at Greenwich Library.
The GYFF committee picked 32 student films to showcase at the festival, including 27 Convent of the Sacred Heart films created by Broadcast Journalism students.
The competition is open annually to all high school students in Fairfield County and Westchester County. It accepts films in seven genres, encouraging students to express themselves through the art of cinema.
Greenwich Library and the Junior League of Greenwich first hosted the GYFF in 2012. The initial categories for student submission included Creative, Documentary, Public Service Announcement, Music Video and Animation.
Alana Galloway ’16
This year, the festival added an additional Experimental category, as well as a Social Action category and Best Freshman Film award.
“My favorite part of the festival was being able to watch original and unique student films in so many different categories,” junior and Documentary finalist Aggie Ryan said. “As a filmmaker, it was nice to see the final pieces of the students’ works. I know how much effort goes into making films and it is so nice to be recognized for all of the hard work we put in behind the camera.”
The 2015 event began with a welcome speech from Ms. Elizabeth Peyton, Chair of the Greenwich Youth Film Festival and a brief introduction from special guest speaker First Selectman Mr. Peter Tesei.
After the initial speeches, the audience viewed the films. Then, entertainment publicist Mr. Gary Springer of Springer Associates Public Relations Firm presented a speech commending the young filmmakers.
Mr. Springer and his company represent independent and foreign films at festivals across the United States, as well as internationally, according to springerassociates.org.
“I love being a judge because as a judge, you are looking for so many different aspects in films and assessing how they all make you feel,” Mr. Springer said. “Film is creative. It opens your mind, and you get to experience so many voices and perspectives.”
The GYFF awarded various cash prizes to each winner, and plans to screen many of the first place recipients at the Greenwich International Film Festival in Greenwich June 4 through June 7.
Alana Galloway ’16
Sacred Heart students won first place in five of the seven categories. New Foods on the Block, a documentary film about street food in New York City, by freshmen Perry Barth and Laura Holland won Best Freshman film overall.
The GYFF awarded the first place Documentary prize to Feeding the Addiction, a piece about September 11, 2001 and the implications of smoking by juniors Cynthia Thomas, Aggie Ryan and Riley Doyle. In the Creative Category, seniors Gabrielle Giacomo and Mary Grace Henry won first place with their piece, In Time, and junior Georgina Cahill won first place in the Animation Category with her video Driving Towards a Better Future, a Claymation film promoting car donations. In the Music Video Category, senior Gabrielle Giacomo won first place with her piece, Resplendent. All first place recipients won $500, aside from Best Freshman film winners, who were awarded a $250 cash prize.
Gabrielle’s music video also won the Best of the Festival award. She received an invitation to attend a private screening at the Tribeca Film Center in Manhattan where they will display Resplendent.
All speakers, judges, and hosts commended students who submitted films on their hard work and dedication.
“My advice to aspiring directors and students is to just keep at it. There are so many films that take a lot of time or don’t always work. You just need to keep at it and be open to new influences,” Mr. Springer said. “Never let failure deter you.”
The following is a list of the winners:
Judges Awards
Best of the FestivalSTATUO
, judged by owner of of Brown Saddle Films and founding partner of
Mrs. Kristina Leigh Copeland
Resplendentby Gabrielle Giacomo
Best Poster, judged by graphic designer and founder of Bill Gold Advertising, Mr. Bill Gold
Isolationby Matt Wassong
Best Freshman Category, judged by entertainment publicist Mr. Gary Springer of Springer Associates Public Relations Firm
New Foods on the Block1st place –
by Perry Barth and Laura Holland
Stop Bullying Yourself2nd place tie –
We Exist Tooby Kathryn Goodfriend, Jillian Larkin and Ava Bloom and
by Christina DeConcini, Caroline Dym and Maya Rajan.
Behind the Camera: Lee Morgan3rd place –
by Christina DeConcini, Caroline Dym and Maya Rajan
Social Action Category, judged by producer and film financier of the Office of Technology Management Advisory Mr. Clay Pecorin
Asleep At the Wheel1st place –
by Tevan Costoso
Stop Bullying Yourself2nd place –
by Kathryn Goodfriend, Jillian Larkin and Ava Bloom
In Their Shoes3rd place –
by Claire Uygur
Creative Category, judged by film editor, director, producer and cinematographer Mr. Joseph H. Biancaniello
In Time1st place –
by Gabrielle Giacomo and Mary Grace Henry
Hands2nd place –
by Claren Hesburgh and Jordan Cohen
The Marvelous McGuffins3rd place –
by Aggie Ryan
Animation Category, judged by Co-Owner of BuzzCo Associates, Incorporation Ms. Candy Kugel
Driving Towards a Better Future1st place –
Georgina Cahillby
Man’s Best Friend
2nd place –
by Patrick Neafsey
A Little Help From My Friends3rd place –
by Cooper Yeager
Experimental Category, judged by Chairman and CEO of White Birth Paper Mr. Peter M. Brant
Self Portrait1st place –
by Lauren Chapey
Shredding the Gnar2nd place –
by Ellen Pucel
Pulse3rd place –
by Claire Uygur
Documentary Category, judged by Mr. Todd McCammon and Mrs. Linda Moroney from Low to the Ground Productions
Feeding the Addiction1st place –
by Cynthia Thomas, Aggie Ryan and Riley Doyle
Behind the Camera: Lee Morgan2nd place –
by Christina DeConcini, Caroline Dym and Maya Rajan.
Taking it to the Streets3rd place –
by Tasha Adison, Quinn Butler and Juliette Guice
Music Video Category, judged by executive producer of The Howard Stern Show Mr. Gary Dell’Abate
Resplendent1st place –
by Gabrielle Giacomo
Ocean View2nd place –
by Jonathon Pasquarella
Stranger3rd place –
by Sydney Agona
– Alana Galloway, Co-Features Editor