Students from two Montague County high schools will be traveling to the University Interscholastic League Young Filmmakers Festival on Feb. 26 and 27 in Austin.
The crew that created “Game of Heists” at Nocona High School, and the creator of “The Last Letter” from Forestburg High School, will be vying for a medal in the finals.
“The Last Letter” is by Lezly Sanchez, a ninth grader at Forestburg. It made it through to the top six in the state in the 1A-3A Combination Conference for digital animation. The film is up against films from Holliday, Wall, Sabine Pass, Lytle and Bushland High Schools. Medals go to the top three films. Dana Klement is coordinator of the new film program at Forestburg.
“Game of Heists” is a production of Nocona High Film coordinated by teacher Rob Norman. It is in the 1A-3A combination conference – narrative competing with films from Atlanta (two films), Mount Vernon, Robert G. Cole, and Sabine Pass High Schools.
Nocona had two other films make it close to the finals. “The Legendary Nut: The Awakening,” was a state quarter finalist and “Are We Rolling?” was a state semi-finalist.
In “Game of Heists” three student operatives are sent on a final mission in order to graduate and finally become real agents. Their teacher’s job and their own futures hinge on their success.
Cast and crew includes: Owen Crossen, AC 1; Isaac Fulumana, screenwriter/director/producer/editor; Keira Griffith, screenwriter/continuity coordinator; Susannah Hill, producer/assistant director/producer/script supervisor; Jessie Howard, screenwriter/director/producer/editor/actor; Kasch Johnson, boom/dolly operator; Joseph Longoria, boom/dolly operator; Josiah Messer, director of photography; Florentina Morales, makeup; Alexa Sosa, AC 2; Jazmin Aguilar, grip/actor; Jasmine Ramirez, craft services; Juan Salgado, grip/camera; Heyvan Ramsay, craft services; Nikki Conklin, makeup; Abby Hill, Amy Q. Fulumana and Rob Norman, actors. The film festival takes place across two days. The 1A-3A and 4A entries will be featured and awarded in ceremonies on Feb. 26 and 5A and 6A on Feb. 27, all at Hogg Auditorium on the University of Texas campus.
On both days session one for digital animation and documentary will be 1 -3:15 p.m. and session two for narrative and traditional animation 3:30-5:30 p.m. Awards will follow.