The Virginia High School League officially selected two short films from IB Film classes, “Bear Dance” and “Be A Leader” to premiere at their annual Film Festival.
This year, the state wide festival nominated GCM students for the first time since 2015. The festival will take place at Piedmont Virginia Community College in Charlottesville on June 2.
Seniors Jack Feenick, Grace Cusack and Emma Choi created “Bear Dance,” which received the nomination for the narrative category. The film tells the story of a professional dancer who falls from fame after being attacked by a bear, and tries to revive his career.
“The premise may seem pretty strange, but I think the bold characters and other absurd elements of our film are what make it funny,” Feenick said.
Feenick was both the cinematographer and an actor in “Bear Dance”.
Junior Isaac Feldman created “Be A Leader,” which VHSL nominated for the public service announcement category.
“The nomination really means a lot to me,” Feldman said. “I couldn’t have made the film without my friends and I hope this nomination means just as much to them as it does to me.”
IB film teacher Pierce Bello said the film was different from other films normally created.
“[The film is] fun, very creative and light in tone,” Bello said. “It is enjoyable and well-filmed.”
Bello predicted the film would do well at the festival.
“I feel confident that [Feldman’s] film will likely win an award because of how funny it is,” Bello said.
The nominated films, along with other IB films, will also premiere on May 18 in the auditorium for the annual George C. Marshall Film Festival.
2018-05-16