Two students placed in the top three in their division – each taking home the third-place prize of $500. Ali Fiaz won third place in the character category for kindergarten through sixth grade students with a film entitled “Good character Traits” Lena Braasch earned third place in the diversity category for kindergarten through sixth grad with her film titled “Diversity.”
Two other students each received $75 for their runner up awards. These students are Jalen Oliver with his film called “Fish for a Solution not Trash,” and Grace Densham with “Alphabet Diversity.”
TKHS teacher Jerry Robison said this is an incredible accomplishment for the district having four award-winning films. There are only 18 videos making it into the top three award levels with TK students having two of those 18 prestigious awards out of more than 340 videos submitted.
The festival has six different categories with the top 10 films in each category receiving awards. According to the Meijer Great Choice Film official website, the goal of the festival is to encourage youth to become engaged in today’s challenges of building character, celebrating diversity and promoting healthy living.
The project is to create a 30-second public service announcement identifying a problem and demonstrating a solution. Students use critical thinking, writing, technical and creativity skills.
Meijer joined in the development of the Film Festival and has funded the project since its inception. Legacy Partners for the festival are the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum, Chemical Bank, the VanderLaan Family Foundation, the Van Singel Fine Arts Center in Byron Center which serves as the festival coordinator.
Film entries are delivered to Michigan colleges and universities with film and media departments. The department heads and students donate time to judge the submissions based on various points including originality, technical skills, message and more. Serves as judges this year are Ferris State University, Cornerstone University, Grand Valley State University, Western Michigan University, Northwood University and Compass College of Cinematic Arts.
The winning PSA/s are all added to a master DVD and mailed to ever school in the state for use with character, diversity and health programs.
Here is the link to the announcement and showing of all the top three winners in each category. https://player.vimeo.com/video/420421755