Winner of the “Spread the Word, Not the Virus” Student Video Contest
AdkAction is pleased to announce the winning video of its statewide COVID-19 Public Service Announcement (PSA) Contest: “A Vintage COVID-19 PSA,” created by Emily Kucharczyk
Student Film Festival
Student Film Festival
A celebration of student creativity and talent that gives students a chance to win prizes and have their voices heard in their community.
A Red Carpet Event for NY Youth
“Beyond the Peaks” film festival is a community-based showcase of art made by young filmmakers. The festival was created by AdkAction in partnership with Tupper Lake Central School District. Initially open to Adirondack area students, the Inaugural Festival took place on May 10, 2019 at The Wild Center in Tupper Lake, NY. Film submissions were accepted from 50 students representing 7 school districts in the greater Adirondack area. In 2020, the festival took place entirely online 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.
In December 2020, Beyond the Peaks held a statewide “Spread the Word, Not the Virus” student PSA contest, with 53 students from 31 schools in all regions of the state represented. The 2021 film festival will also be open to young filmmakers across the state, truly going “beyond the peaks.”
We want to create and expand opportunities for young people interested in filmmaking or “digital storytelling.” It’s all about giving our youth a platform for creative expression and empowering their voices.
Sign Up to Receive
Film Submission Link & Instructions
Alerts and Deadline Reminders
Periodic Filmmaking Resources and Tips
Invitation to the 2021 Virtual Awards Ceremony
Notification of Future Festivals
2021 Beyond The Peaks Film Festival
The third annual Beyond the Peaks film festival is scheduled for June 4, 2021.
Now Accepting Submissions
Students will upload video submissions online through Launchpad, a digital film contest platform donated by Skills21 at EdAdvance, an Educational Nonprofit based in Connecticut. All New York State high school students are eligible to enter. The deadline for submissions is noon on Friday, April 23, 2021 and participation is free.
Submission Instructions for Student Films
- Sign up to receive email notifications about the festival
- Register for the festival on Launchpad at Beyondthepeaks.skills21.org
- Review the film categories and requirements in Launchpad
- Choose which category you wish to enter
- Create your film
- Upload your film to Google Drive
- Enter your film using the shareable Google Drive Link on Launchpad
Prizes
The creator of the overall winning film will receive a prize of $1,000 and video supplies. First place in each category (Animation, Documentary, PSA, Comedy, Drama, Trailer) will be recognized on adkaction.org and will receive a trophy. A special award will be given to a film in any category that relates to one or more of AdkAction’s Project Areas. Learn what these project areas are here.
Time remaining to create your film:
Days
Hours
Minutes
Thank you to our leading sponsor
Special thanks to Lake Placid Institute for supporting and building this event to reach even more students this year.
Thank you to our partners
Past Festival Highlights
2020
Read More
2019
Our Impact
1
Student films created
1
School districts participated
Other News and Events
Film Festival
Winner of the “Spread the Word, Not the Virus” Student Video Contest
February 5, 2021
AdkAction is pleased to announce the winning video of its statewide COVID-19 Public Service Announcement (PSA) Contest: “A Vintage COVID-19 PSA,” created by Emily Kucharczyk
Blog
Keeseville Plein Air Digital Coffee Table Book
October 14, 2020
Like so many events planned for 2020, the Keeseville Plein Air Festival was cancelled due to COVID-19. In lieu of this year’s live festival, we
Film Festival
Beyond the Peaks Student Film Festival Winners Announced
July 15, 2020
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.
Donate directly to this project
Help us create and expand opportunities for young people interested in filmmaking or digital storytelling.
Explore Other Projects
Fair Food Pricing
Food from small-scale family farms is often more expensive than food at chain grocery stores, putting it out of reach for many Adirondack families. It is also more sustainable, ethical, and better for our local economy. We are working towards a future in which Adirondack farmers can feed the region and local families can afford to buy local food by providing a 30% discount on farm fresh products for qualifying families.
Reducing Road Salt
Road Salt pollution is threatening Adirondack waters. Studies now show that Adirondack lakes and streams near roads are contaminated and drinking water wells are becoming contaminated at an alarming rate.
Compost for Good
The goal of the Adirondack Compost for Good project is to help Adirondack communities turn food and other organic “wastes” into high-quality compost. This process keeps nutrients in the community, which builds local resilience, heals soils, and helps reduce global greenhouse gas emissions.