Pasadena Student Picked as Media Festival Finalist

Having been introduced to drawing at a young age, animation was a natural progression for Stephanie Delazeri.

The La Salle High School senior made it to the finals in the third annual Los Angeles Student Media Festival with not one, but two of her films. Both are contending with 13 other submissions in the animation category.

Here's are the links to Delazeri's films on Vimeo:

• “The Horror” 
• “In the Home”

"She is the hardest working art student I have ever had," art teacher Ellen Slatkin said about Delazeri. "I would say at her young age, she is a devoted working artist, with a serious intent to grow and explore."

One of the most challenging things about making an animated film, Delazeri said, is finishing it.

“Usually half way through a project I might get little tired of it but I'll still have to keep pushing on and not get distracted in order to complete it,” Delazeri said. “Toward the end of making a film it can be very stressful. But despite all the stress and worrying, I still have to push on and finish it because I know all the hard work will be worth it.”

Delazeri stands to win a $500 scholarship—offered to all winners in each of the five categories—plus an additional $500 if one of her films is chosen for the “Best of Show” award. Winners will also attend a lunch in their honor with Michael Klausman, CBS Studio Center president, and receive an official commemoration from the city. 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,” said Krekorian. “I have no doubt that among the finalists we are announcing … will be Oscar and Emmy winners of the future.”

In looking over the student submissions, festival judge Melinda Farrell, former deputy director of the California Film Commission, said that several themes emerged.

“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 considered several factors in choosing which submissions were most notable, including content, creativity and execution.

“Emotional resonance is key,” Farrell 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?”