Grosse Pointe High Schooler's Video Nominated for National Student Production Awards

GROSSE POINT, MI — A Grosse Pointe North High School junior created a short animated video that's receiving recognition from the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS), according to The Grosse Pointe Times.

Sebastian Cubillejo, 16, produced a 2 1/2-minute film called "2187" for the National Student Production Awards in high school animation/graphics/special effects category.

"2187" is set in the future. The audience follows the main character, who doesn't have a name as he runs from law enforcement. Officers want to know what the main character is carrying, which turns out to be something very innocent, rather than a weapon.

“All he had was a flower, which symbolizes peace and love,” Cubillejo said to The Grosse Pointe Times.

Cubillejo said he's a big fan of science fiction movies, like “Blade Runner,” “The Matrix” and “1984." These films influenced his creative process throughout the production phases of "2187."

Cubillejo was in the school's television production classes I and II his freshman and sophomore years. He also won the Michigan Chapter Student Production Award this past spring.

“This is a huge honor for Sebastian,” North television production teacher Brian Stackpoole said in an email, according to The Grosse Pointe Times.

Cubillejo plans to pursue filmmaking after graduation, possibly at the University of Southern California.

“I’m thankful to be nominated at this point,” Cubillejo said to The Grosse Pointe Times.

The student winners of the National Student Production Awards will be announced Oct. 4, when NATAS will hold the ceremony at the Newseum in Washington, D.C. The ceremony will be lived streamed starting at 12:30 p.m. that day here.