SAFFORD — The 10th anniversary Safford High School Film Festival provided a look forward, and a look back.
Nineteen short films by this year’s classes were shown Wednesday at the David M. Player Center for the Arts, along with video messages of appreciation and encouragement by Film and TV Program alumni, many of whom are putting their Safford High School training to use in their professions.
Instructor Chris Murphy presented awards to the students, not on the merits of their films, but on the effort they showed in the classroom, working on a podcast and on the Safford Bulldog News Network Daily Show, which has logged 2 million minutes watched on the program’s YouTube channel.
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central
Sophomore Cynthia Low received the New Filmmaker and Breakout Award, after winning the 49 and 2/3-Hour Film Competition earlier in the year for her film “Among Us X Dr. Stone.”
She showed a slightly longer version of the winning film during Thursday’s film festival.
“I was planning on showcasing the entire thing, but I don’t think people want to sit there for another hour. It’s a whole movie and everything,” Low said.
Low said she enjoys the program, but doesn’t plan on making film or TV a career; instead she plans to study medicine.
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central
Safford High School Dance also performed, as a prelude to its showcase Thursday, using film as the theme for three performances.
The students’ films will be uploaded to the Safford Bulldog News Network YouTube channel.
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central
