The View From the Projection Room

I have to admit, I was holding my breath the whole time- having created the final compilation all 21 film submissions, hoping that every one would play clearly on the big screen and most of all, make all of the young filmmakers in the audience see what amazing things they are capable of doing.   They did.  The San Francisco ExCEL Afterschool Programs Student Film Festival was a huge success, with about 200 kids and families attending, a fabulous student MC and a whole lot of support from the folks at The Bridge Theater and the ExCEL staff.  All of the films were created during afterschool media clubs throughout the city by kids ranging from K-12th grades.  We had animation shorts, stop-motion pieces, PSA's about parents on cell-phones and violence on TV,  videos showing what was special about each school, digital stories about taking care of the earth and each other...the list goes on.  All together, the festival meant a chance for kids to celebrate a year of project-based learning that got them to experiment with multimedia tools in fun and meaningful ways. 

This is why we do what we do. Any moment when people begin to see themselves as real media producers rather than just consumers is magical.  Whether that happens in an office or a classroom or a big beautiful theater with red carpets and popcorn, doesn't matter.  But I have to admit, the view from the projection room that evening was pretty amazing... Big congrats to all.