NNPS students receive awards for short films at Next Generation Storytellers Film Festival
Posted: October 21, 2024
Numerous Newport News Public Schools students received awards in various categories for their work on short films as the 2024 Next Generation Storytellers Film Festival Awards Ceremony took place on October 19 at Christopher Newport University's Ferguson Center for the Arts.
Short films created by students in NNPS, Hampton City Schools and the Charleston County School District in South Carolina debuted at the film festival, which consisted of four events October 18-20.
Saturday's awards evening featured a walk on red carpet for pictures as invitees arrived, a highlight reel from the featured films and presentation of the awards.
Eleven short films were showcased, six of which NNPS students wrote, produced and starred in. Students created the films through the NGS program under the guidance of co-founders Trent Garrett and Jacob Young earlier this year.
NNPS Superintendent Dr. Michele Mitchell and Hampton City Schools Deputy Superintendent and Chief of Staff Dr. John Caggiano presented the awards for best actors. They were among numerous school staff and community members who served as presenters at the event.
Next Generation Storytellers Film Festival Awards
Young Voices - "From the Moon to Her Sun," written by Lilly Thompson and directed by Sharyea Phillips (Newport News Public Schools
Best Community or Staff Member in an Acting Role - Tracy Bourne for her role as Mom in "Until Daylight Comes" (Hampton City Schools)
Best Original Screenplay - "Omelet Sunday," written and directed by Nolan Ladison (Hampton City Schools)
Best Supporting Actors - Sophia Harris, for her role as No Name in "Chain Shot" (Hampton City Schools); Matthew Vrooman, for his role as Calvin in "The Sanguine Teens' Solution" (Newport News Public Schools)
Portrait of a Graduate - "Fire of the Heart," written by Chelsee MacDonald and directed by Jack Hoppman (Charleston County School District)
Best Director - Sharyea Phillips for "From the Moon to Her Sun" (Newport News Public Schools)
Best Comedy - "Omelet Sunday," written and directed by Nolan Ladison (Hampton City Schools)
Community Showcase - "Fire of the Heart," written by Chelsee MacDonald and directed by Jack Hoppman (Charleston County School District)
Best Drama - "Until Daylight Comes," written and directed by Madysen Dougherty (Hampton City Schools)
Best Suspense or Thriller - "The Flip Side," written by Jillian Coddington and directed by Samiya Taliaferro (Newport News Public Schools)
Audience Choice - "The Sanguine Teens' Solution," written by Hannah "Chroma" Lee and directed by Trinity Randleman (Newport News Public Schools)
Best Actors - Zion Parks as James in "Until Daylight Comes" (Hampton City Schools); Andrea Pena as Stella in "From the Moon to Her Sun" (Newport News Public Schools)
Best Picture - "Untitled Artist," written by Alexander H. and directed by Lilly Goba (Newport News Public Schools)
CNU Scholarship Award - Antonio Pitts, Hampton City Schools (played lead character Timothy in "Omelet Sunday" and was crew on "Chain Shot," "The Choice is Yours" and "Until Daylight Comes.")
