Story Published:
Apr 4, 2010 at 6:11 PM EDT
Story Updated:
Apr 4, 2010 at 7:59 PM EDT
A program working to make sure young teens stay in school is now bringing kids of all walks of life together under one common bond: film. Recently, those new bonds were celebrated, and the final movie projects put on display at the Project-13 film festival.
From music videos, to comedy, to some serious films, a captive audience took in all types of movies at the Holyoke War Memorial.
Aaron Vega, Judge, says: "We're always going to movies and watching movies. And now they realize they can make them, and tell their own story."
CBS 3 first introduced you to Project-13 last month, a program working to reach out to at-risk kids and keep them in school. Now kids in the program have teamed up with other teens across the Pioneer Valley, and the Massachusetts International Festival of the Arts to create original films.
Nicole LaChapelle, Project-13 Volunteer Director, says: "They watch TV, they go to the movies, and they wanted to take the reins and put on their own festival."
And the students did it all, from hosting the event to filming and editing.
Casey Coen, Host, says: "We're kind of just like introing the videos and poking fun at the band, and just keeping everyone pepped up for the videos."
Matt Stec, Filmmaker, says: "I think the music video that we made was pretty fun."
And all that hard work paid off when the videos cued up.
Nicole LaChapelle, Project-13 Volunteer Director, says: "Watching the students watching their films has been amazing. I don't think they realized the power and strength they had within them to really move other people."
And if seeing yourself on the big screen wasn't enough, how about a VIP walk in to accept your award?
Aaron Vega, Judge, says: "Stories, editing, and originality, that's really what we're looking for."
That's right, this wasn't just all fun and games. Some students walked out of this festival with trophies. Remember Matt? The judges thought his video was more than just fun. They thought it was first place material.
Matt Stec, Filmmaker, says: "It was pretty good knowing that people saw a lot of stuff that we make."
And, they can have the chance to see it again next year. Organizers are hoping to make this an annual event.
To learn more about the Project-13 dropout prevention program head to www.project-13.org.
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