Local Youth Honored at Digikids Film Festival
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale partnered with the Microsoft Store located at Scottsdale Fashion Square on May 14 to showcase young Club members’ excellence in the area of multimedia art as part of the Digikids Film Festival. The program encourages Club members to learn and practice in digital arts, including movie making, music making, and graphic design.
The young honorees and the public got the chance to view their movies on the big screen, at Harkins Theatre in Scottsdale Fashion Square. After the movie screenings, the festival moved to the Microsoft Store where a red carpet and awards presentation took place.
Taking home “Best Movie” honors for their “Cyber Bullies in Space” movie submission during the event was none other than the team from Scottsdale’s Rose Lane Branch, including:
Aaron R., 8, Pueblo Elementary School Charlie Q., 9, Kiva Elementary SchoolColin B., 11, Pueblo Elementary SchoolAbby F., 9, Pueblo Elementary SchoolAidan D., 9, Pueblo Elementary SchoolMikey W., 9, Pueblo Elementary School
Other Award winners included:
Best Actress – Riely D., 9 at the Vestar Branch for her work in “From Bully to Friends.” Best Actor – Isaac V., 6 at the Virginia G. Piper Branch for his work in “John Jarvis.” Best Stop Motion – Alexis F., 11, and Deenah S., 12 at The Thunderbirds Branch for their work on “Stopping Bullies.” This film also won the regional award from Boys & Girls Clubs of America in the Stop Motion Animation category for the 10-12 year olds. Best Costuming – Hartley & Ruth Barker Branch for their work on “The Spy at Wonka’s Factory.” Best Action Sequence – 5th & 6th Grade Members at the Lehi Branch for their work on “Candyland.” Best Film Editing – Aidan D., 9, Abby F., 11, and Bella W., 9 at the Rose Lane Branch for their work on “Magical Recycling Buddies.” This film also won the regional award from Boys & Girls Clubs of America in the Stop Motion Animation category for the 6-9 year olds. Best Animation – Red Mountain Branch for their work on “Our Homes.” Best Message – the Vestar Branch Keystone teen members for their work on “Hope.” Best Documentary – Pauite Outreach Services for their work on the “Pauite Documentary.” Best Set Design – Drake D., 11, and Trenton B., 10 at the Mary Ellen & Robert McKee Branch for their work on “Lego Helping.” Best Mockumentary – Teen members at the Virginia G. Piper Branch for their work on “Teen Side.”
Club members worked all year to master the skills of digital art through the program. The arts, which develops creativity and cultural awareness through all different types of mediums, is just one of five core areas focused on at the Boys & Girls Clubs. The non-profit organization also promotes leadership development, education, life skills and sports, fitness and recreation through their 100 youth development programs.
“We fully support creativity through technology, and we’re excited to deepen our commitment to the Scottsdale communities by providing technology and resources to the Boys & Girls Clubs,” says Melissa Brewer, Community Development Specialist at the Microsoft Store. “We were so impressed by the grasp youth have today on software tools and technology.”
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale, celebrating its 60th Anniversary throughout 2014, empowers 17,800 youth of all ages and backgrounds to develop the qualities needed to reach their full potential as productive, responsible citizens. The Club provides a safe place, caring adult mentors, fun, friendship and athletics, and high-impact youth development programs during critical non-school hours. Clubs are located in cities and on Native American lands in the greater Scottsdale area and promote academic success, positive character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. For more information, visit www.bcgs.org.
