AdkAction’s second annual “Beyond the Peaks Student Film Festival” took place entirely online this year due to COVID restrictions. Although finalists were unable to walk the red carpet and debut their films on the Wild Center’s theater screen, their work was enjoyed and voted on by 224 viewers in the Adirondack region and beyond. Mountain Lake PBS also covered the festival on Mountain Lake Journal to help expose students’ films to a wider audience.
In the year leading up to the Festival, students throughout the region had the opportunity to participate in two filmmaking workshops to hone their skills in film production and editing. The workshops were sponsored by Lake Placid Institute and facilitated by Cameron Audia of EdAdvance, the producer of the Connecticut State-wide student film festival.
Student filmmakers who won 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place for the Audience Choice Award received cash prizes and filmmaking equipment that will help them continue pursuing their passion for digital storytelling.
Mackenzie Burnett took first place with her film, “Helium” which showcased her ability to adeptly edit together a series of images to build a visual narrative about love.
The second place award went to Libby Gillis for “Green Week,” a film documenting the activities of Tupper Lake Green Team’s Green Week in April. After their plans shifted from live events to virtual, the team revised strategies and created a week of activities that the community could engage in remotely to promote awareness of environmental issues.
“Nature’s Beauty” by Hayley Denis won third place in the Audience Choice Awards. This film explored natural features in the Adirondack Park through a “road trip” visual narrative set to music.
The festival is held in partnership with Tupper Lake Central School district’s film class, and was made possible with support from Lake Placid Institute for the Arts and Humanities.
