A crowd of movie lovers turned out for Huntington High School’s thirteenth annual film festival at Cinema Arts Centre. The audience was treated to 22 short films over the course of one hour, including some especially impressive works by an experienced group of students.
“The film festival was a huge success,” said teacher Heather Swan, who heads Huntington High School’s video arts program. “My students and I have been looking forward to this event all year. We presented to a theatre filled with family, friends and community members who thoroughly enjoyed themselves.”
This year’s film festival garnered positive reviews from just about everyone in the crowd. The films shown were well-crafted, witty and intriguing, stimulating much discussion afterwards in the lobby.
“I personally really enjoyed the film festival and I heard a lot of others saying the same,” said senior Jack O’Brien, who showed a pair of his highly regarded films. “Not only was it really educational and inspiring, but it was so nice being back in the theater this year. It was cool seeing the other films as well.”
Junior Danielle Mendikyan showed several of her films, including a documentary about her parent’s business titled, “Crepes and Bakes,” which captured everyone’s attention, including Huntington Superintendent James W. Polansky who was in the crowd along with high school Principal Brenden Cusack.
“The film festival was a huge success,” said senior Ally Kustera, who showed four of her sensational films. “It’s so lovely to hear a live audience’s reaction to the work we produced. Hearing the crowd’s laughter is such a rewarding feeling.”
The festival’s lineup included:
• “Mortified” – Director inspired by Katerina Damiano
• “The Effects of Intoxicated Driving” – PSA by Charlotte Simon
• “Lucky” – 8mm/film noir by Eliza Walther
• “First Kiss” – 3,2,1 by Ally Kustera
• “How to Make Your Own Hologram” – YouTube tutorial by Danielle Mendikyan
• “The End of The Psycho” – 8mm/film noir by Jack O’Brien
• “Taki’s” – Commercial by Alejandro Orjuela, Talia Koas and Anthony Retamal Vidal
• “3 of a Kind” – Multi-person by Finn O’Brien
• “DAE” – Director inspired by Ally Kustera
• “The Bike Shop” – Documentary by Lucas DeDora
• “Unsolved Mysteries” – Reality TV show by Charlotte Simon
• “Impactful Women” – Narrative by Eliza Walther
• “Ashes to Ashes” – 3,2,1 by Katerina Damiano
• “All American” – Mocumentary by Jack O’Brien
• “One Day” – 8mm/film noir by Ally Kustera
• “Hall Monitor” – Reality TV show by William Berry
• “How to make a Homemade Christmas Ornament” – YouTube tutorial by Anthony Retamal
• “Crepes and Bakes” – Documentary by Danielle Mendikyan
• “The Umbrella Killer” – 8mm/film noir by Katerina Damiano
• “Smart Water” – Commercial by Lucas DeDora, Danielle Mendikyan, Sofia Rodriquez, David Goldstein and Jose Reyes-Benitez
• “She’s Not There” – Narrative by Ally Kustera
• “On-A-Roll” – Narrative by Katerina Damiano
Send a message to Mrs. Swan at hswan@hufsd.edu for more information about Huntington High School’s video arts program.
