FILM EDUCATES @ Shortsfest 22

During Shortsfest, we partner with schools, art centers, and youth organizations in three counties from Aspen to Rifle. Our FilmEducates programs create meaningful opportunities for all grades and serve as a teacher resource by creating curriculum-enriching programs offered at no charge. This year, 11 local schools and two out-of-town schools have signed up to participate, and will have access to 33 of the Shortsfest films. Sixteen visiting filmmakers will go into participating schools to share their films and have deeper conversations with students.

 

Along with serving local youth, we host visiting film students from schools outside of the valley. This year, we have 45 out-of-town students joining us in Aspen from Springfield, MO, and Austin, TX. During their time in Aspen, they have the opportunity to meet local film students, share and get feedback on their own film work, attend filmmaker panels, and experience world-class shorts programming.

Special Showcase: YOUNG EMERGING VOICES IN FILM

FREE COMMUNITY EVENT
No Pass or Ticket Required

2PM SUNDAY, 4/10

ISIS THEATRE (406 E HOPKINS AVE, ASPEN)

Young Emerging Voices in Film is a new endeavor presented as part of Aspen Film’s FilmEducates program. This inaugural showcase will feature two films crafted by local youth filmmaking teams. The event celebrates the achievements of young filmmakers using visual storytelling to address and portray the experiences and issues important to a new generation. Following the films, members of each young filmmaking team will join Aspen Film’s Executive + Artistic Director on stage to discuss the inspiration, process, craft, and messages of their work.

FACES OF THE FUTURE

A teenage bully sees his future self when his actions are confronted head on with the face of the future.

(MICAH SANDERS-SILVA, MORITZ JOHNSON, ASPEN HIGH SCHOOL, 17MIN)

5POINT VOICES YOUTH FILM PROJECT

In 2020, during a time of social isolation, 10 high school seniors collaborated on a short film. These first-time filmmakers worked alongside professional teaching artists to experience the transformative process of filmmaking. This project celebrates youth voices.

(CLASS OF 2020 SENIORS, BRIDGES HIGH SCHOOL, 9MIN)

TICKETS FOR TEACHERS To encourage local educators to identify new films appropriate for their curricula, Aspen Film provides tickets for teachers to attend Shortsfest programs at no charge.

 

Any Roaring Fork Valley educator may request a complimentary Teacher Ticket by visiting the Wheeler Opera House Box Office in person, or emailing aspenfilmeducates@gmail.com. Educators will be asked to show a teaching credential or local ID and then will be issued an individual ticket to any program they wish to view. We encourage teachers to collect their tickets early, as we cannot guarantee availability if a program is nearly sold out.

 

YOUTH JURY This year’s jury is comprised of seven high school students from the Roaring Fork Valley and as far away as NY. The students will watch each program, hold virtual deliberations and ultimately award a student prize to the film that they feel best reflects the impressions and thoughts of today’s youth. Filmmakers have said that winning this award is one of the highest honors at the festival.

 

In addition, we will be offering our FILMMAKERS TO THE CLASSROOM, MAKING MOVIES MATTER, and YOUNG FILMMAKER LABS programs. These programs have limited space availability and may, or may not be open to the public to attend. If you have specific questions about attending this year’s FilmEducates programs, please email aspenfilmeducates@gmail.com.