Beverly Hills Student Picked as Media Festival Finalist

Aspiring filmmaker Natalie Gordon credits what she's been learning at Beverly Hills High for helping her become a finalist in the Los Angeles Student Media Festival.

"I have always loved, admired and appreciated films. So I decided to join my school’s TV classes to gain both technical and creative knowledge," said Natalie, who has worked her way up to senior producer and director positions at the school's TV station, KBEV.

Natialie stands to receive a $500 scholarship if her five-minute video, "Second Fiddle," is selected the winner in one of the contest's five categories, plus another $500 scholarship, if it's named Best of Show.

Winners will also attend a lunch in their honor with Michael Klausman, CBS Studio Center president, and receive an official commemoration from the city of Los Angeles. The winning submissions will be screened March 30 at 5 p.m. in North Hollywood’s El Portal Theatre.

The festival, championed by Los Angeles Councilman Paul Krekorian, received 175 submissions from 14 schools across Los Angeles County. Eleven judges narrowed the list to 36 submissions, bringing them into the final round of judging.

“As is true every year, the films that made the final cut prove that the level of talent and creativity of Southern California's high school students is unparalleled and I'm thrilled that our festival once again gives them a forum to fully showcase their vision,” Krekorian said. “I have no doubt that among the finalists we are announcing … will be Oscar and Emmy winners of the future.”

Festival judge Melinda Farrell, former deputy director of the California Film Commission, said common themes emerged from the student submissions.

“What strikes me about this year's crop of films is their focus on social justice and family legacy,” Farrell said. “The films that impressed me had a generational aspect to them and showed how people reconcile their pasts to make way for their futures. I was also very moved by the powerful anti-bullying statements of many of the pieces.”

Farrell said she considered several factors in choosing which submissions were most notable based on content, creativity and execution.

“Emotional resonance is key,” she said. “Does the story ring true? Am I emotionally engaged? Has the filmmaker shown me the world with a fresh perspective? Do you see a fully realized idea on screen? Are you watching the characters as opposed to the actors interpreting them? Are there images from the film that stay with you?”