by Colin Dowse of Carmel High School, winner of Best Film
Wow! This was a phenomenal film. There is so much to unpack and so much to say that I really can't It's a great and gripping short film from start to finish. You have great coverage of your scenes with amazing lighting, performances and editing. Your dream sequences are well done with the visual and practical effects. I really am blown away by your craft here and see only amazing things in your future. Well done!!
~ Daniel Lahr, Executive Director Central Coast Film Society

Students from many Central Coast high school’s had the opportunity to share their work and be awarded with scholarships at the 3rd annual Student Film & Digital Media Arts Competition on April 6, at San Luis Obispo High School.
“We are thrilled to be able to bring this fun student showcase and to give local creators a platform to show their creative works, and reward them for their talents,” said Sarah Risley, newly elected board president of the film society.
All students who submitted their films or creative works received constructive feedback from the Central Coast Film Society (CCFS) board members and finalists had their work reviewed by a panel of judges from the industry and academia to earn awards for excellence and available $250 scholarships for each category from film, photography, cinematography, editing and ‘Central Coast Spirit’.
All the creative submissions were from high school students living on the Central Coast, specifically Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Ventura and Monterey counties. There were more than 175 submissions that were narrowed down to a handful of finalists.
The finalists were then invited to the Showcase at SLO High School, where people had the opportunity to see all the films and photography and look through the screenplays.
“A huge thank you to the teachers, mentors, and judges. Your hard work and insights are building the next generation of filmmakers, screenwriters, and photographers,” said Daniel Lahr, executive director for the film society.
Judges for the showcase were Chris Hite, award winning filmmaker and professor of film at Allan Hancock College; Alan Fraser, co-founder of the Cambria Film Festival and Chachi Ramirez, film producer and owner of the Guadalupe Royal Theater.


Winners of the showcase are:

Screenwriting
Sweet on You
Rhys Eleanor Demarest, Morro Bay High School
(Click on title to read)

Photography
Cat Reflection
Ashley Robinson, Central Coast New Tech High School
See Above

Highlight Reel (Editing/Animation/FX)
Light to My Path
Abigail Reinstedt, Calvary Christian School

Film
Out of My Mind
Colin Dowse, Carmel High School

Central Coast Spirit Award
Lost- A Backyard Adventure
Coleman Howe, San Luis Obispo High School

We will be posting the winners films shortly!