AURORA | The effort behind Aurora Public Schools’ Digital Badging Initiative isn’t just working toward readying students for post-grad opportunities. It’s also launched a miniature film festival.
The public is invited to what district officials have dubbed the first-ever Aurora Borealis Film Festival, a showcase of film work done by APS students at four district schools that also give students the opportunity to earn digital badges, which signify that students have demonstrated certain skills aligned with state standards, including critical thinking, invention, information literacy and others.
“Film gives students a platform to share their ideas, opinions, and thoughts about the world in which they live,” said APS Technology Coach and project organizer Nicholas Steinmetz. “Many students seek to address issues such as social or world problems, and they love to tell stories through film.”
The district will screen the student works beginning at 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 11, at the district’s Professional Learning and Conference Center, 15751 E. First Ave. in Aurora. The event is free and will include short films, commercials and other video styles.
All of the films showcased were entirely written, produced, edited and finalized by APS students only. Each film was limited to five minutes in running time, and all genres were accepted with the caveat that the submissions be “rated G” and appropriate for school.
Middle School Submissions
“Magic Show,” by Sean Landwehr and Alondra from Vista Peak Exploratory
“Kindness,” by Saryeah Baez-Little, Isabella Chambers, Nahomy Ramirez, and Adriana Green at Vista Peak Exploratory
“Brought to Life,” by Adriana Green, Nahomy Ramirez, Saryeah Baez-Little, and Isabella Chambers at Vista Peak Exploratory
“Spray Away,” by Oscar Aranda and Stephano Lorandi at Vista Peak Exploratory
“Sham Wow,” by Isabella Chambers, Adriana Green, and Saryeah Baez-Little at Vista Peak Exploratory
High School Submissions
“Straight Outta the Playground,” by Rachael Smith, Matthew Krohn, Aldo Zepeda, Jerika Miller, Haley Wilkinson at William Smith H.S.
“3:45,” by Esmeralda Soto-Rendon, Christopher Castaneda Gaucin, Leng Yang, and Nolin Boyd at Vista Peak Prep H.S.
“Car Radio Music Video,” by Rachael Smith, Matthew Krohn, Aldo Zepeda, Haley Wilkinson, Jerika Miller at William Smith H.S.
“Always Tip the Server,” by Rachael Smith, Haley wilkinson, Sergio Trujillo, Roberto Medoza-Vargas, Anthony Davis at William Smith H.S.
“The Children’s Story,” by Christopher Ediger, Nathaniel Dixon, Emily Yoder, Bianca Moncada at Vista Peak Prep H.S.
“Hide For Your Life,” by Rachael Smith, Matthew Krohn, Travis Cotter, Haley Wilkinson, Roberto Mendoza-Vargas at William Smith H.S.
“Fight,” by Sam Delossantos at Vista Peak Prep H.S.
“Sleeping Sound,” by Jasmin Hernandez and Trinell Samuels at Vista Peak Prep H.S.
“7 Minutes,” by Gabriela Escobedo at Hinkley H.S.
“Tech Theater News Story,” by Trinell Samuel and Julianna Luce at Vista Peak Prep H.S.