Film fest brings Synergy Studios’ work to life

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It’s never easy putting yourself or your work out there for the world to see, but that’s exactly what students at Holy Rosary High School (HRHS) are doing this Thursday at the first annual Synergy Studios Film Festival. 

The festival is being held in the HRHS library and will feature films from students from Grades 8-12. The festival is free to attend and open to the public, and according to HRHS’s communications and media teacher, Skye Ferguson, they’re pulling out all the stops.

“I’ve had this on my goal list ever since I became a teacher in this area,” said Ferguson. “This is super amazing. Cody Maz of Maz Entertainment is sponsoring the event, so we’re going to have a giant screen, speakers, a red carpet, people can dress formally, and my photography students are going to be the paparazzi.

“It’s going to be kinda like a movie premiere. I envision the kids getting to be their own director and showcasing their movie.”

Ferguson explained she initially wanted to host a film festival to allow students to showcase the hard work they put into projects throughout the year.

“It’s one thing to make your work, and it’s another to display your work. It also takes a lot of courage to display your work for people; the second you display it, it’s open for critique,” she said. “Instead of it just sitting on your drive, you get to see it come to life.

“I also can’t explain the feeling when someone watches your video and you hear them laugh, or see them smile … the pride the students are going to feel is unreal.”

Grade 12 student Emjay Hein is really looking forward to having her work on display for all to see after putting her heart into her projects.

“I should have my final assignment in the festival. It’s a Romeo and Juliet retelling, and I should also maybe have some short films. One is a silent film, and then maybe my mid-term as well,” she said, adding the fact she does a lot of directing, script writing and storytelling.

“I’m excited to see my work on a big screen, and I’m excited to watch it with my friends and everyone who’s been a part of the video.”

Heins has taken Ferguson’s media class every year since she started at HRHS and is excited to see her teacher’s goal of hosting a film festival come to fruition. 

“Ferguson is so great. She makes all of your dreams come true, and it sounds super cheesy, but she’s done so much for me, and I’m going to miss her a lot when I leave.”

Hannah Barnes, who is also a Grade 12 comms and media student at HRHS, knows exactly how much work goes into these projects and is excited for the community to see the body of work being produced at the school.

“We get to showcase our work, which is kind of frightening, to be honest,” she said. “We put so much hard work into this with planning, filming, editing and post-production, so it’s very exciting to see all of our hard work displayed.”

With the event being open to the public, Barnes encourages anyone and everyone to come out.

“All of these students put in so much hard work, and there are many people who are very passionate about film, so (I invite people to) come to see what their community has to offer and what they’ve created. It’s great to see what other people in your community are doing.”

The film festival starts at 7 p.m. and popcorn will be available by donation. 

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Taylor Weaver
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