By Sheila Phibbs
The Haldimand Press
JARVIS—Young filmmakers were in the spotlight during the first 24 Hour Youth Film Challenge which took place April 20 and 21, 2023. This new event was part of the Watch Local Week (WLW) 2023 hosted by the Haldimand County Public Library (HCPL) and the Norfolk County Public Library (NCPL).
This unique event challenged the filmmakers to create a five minute film in 24 hours. At the challenge launch on April 20 at the Jarvis Branch of HCPL, the participants were given three prompts that had to be included in their films: a bridge as a location; a barn as a prop; and the line of dialogue “I’m the king of the world!” from the movie Titanic.
The next 24 hours were spent creating until the entry deadline of 7 p.m. the following evening in Jarvis. The challenge coincided with a school PA day, allowing ample time to produce the films. Participants were encouraged to make use of designated library spaces and computer stations to produce and upload their films. Pizza, snacks, and refreshments were provided by several local businesses.
According to Paul Diette, CEO of HCPL, providing services and activities for youth is a mandate of HCPL. He says, “The Watch Local Week 24 Hour Youth Film Challenge offered an ideal venue for showcasing the artistic talents of local young people…. Youth have an opportunity to express themselves creatively, while gaining experience in a host of areas from time management and organization to teamwork and problem-solving.”
JARVIS—Participating filmmakers are shown relaxing after the 24 Hour Youth Film Challenge deadline. In front (l-r): Olive and Malcolm Duguay Bachiu. Back row (l-r): Emma Smout, Sarah Gurney, Liam Taylor, Isabel Saudade, Zoë Veldhuis, and Alexandra Sullivan.
—Haldimand Press photo by Sheila Phibbs.
He adds, “Filmmaker Graeme Bachiu proposed this year’s challenge as an ideal way to enhance Watch Local Week and all parties involved saw it as a unique opportunity to further involve youth in the event…. The Haldimand County Public Library is pleased to host the 24 Hour Youth Film Challenge at its Jarvis Branch.”
A total of five films were entered in the inaugural competition. The judging panel included Graeme Bachiu, Windecker Road Films; Melissa Kenney, HCPL and Riverside Communications; Tara Lindemann, The Sachem; Dean Rainey, Rainey Media; and Belinda Smith, NCPL Virtual Library Coordinator.
“Our judging panel watched the films together then graded each film privately, adding up our scores at the end,” explains Bachiu. “Criteria included the film’s technical quality (its look and sound), the film’s story structure and entertainment value, and the integration of the three prompts that we drew from a hat at the challenge launch. We were thoroughly impressed with all of the films and hope to have even more young filmmakers enter the challenge next year.”
First place was awarded to the film Without You, a ZAI Production by Isabel Saudade, Grade 11, Alex Sullivan and Zoë Veldhuis, Grade 12, from Holy Trinity Catholic High School, Simcoe. This film also tied for the Audience Choice Award.
Second place went to Found and Lost, a Salt and Pepper Production by Sarah Gurney and Emma Smout, Grade 11, Simcoe Composite School, Simcoe.
The Best Creative Concept Award was won by Gary’s Story, which also tied for the Audience Choice Award. This film is a Twins Production by Malcolm and Olive Bachiu, Grade 2, JL Mitchener Public School, Cayuga.
Other entries included Caledonia I’m King of the World, a Liam Taylor Production by Liam Taylor, Grade 12, McKinnon Park Secondary School, Caledonia; and Trappin An Nappin, a Trap Production by Clay Bigelow, Gavin Fernandes, Nick DeCoste, and Mitch Fries, Grade 12, Cayuga Secondary School, Cayuga.
Following a special screening at the Simcoe Branch of NCPL on April 22, Melissa Kenney says, “We had a great audience of the filmmakers along with their family and friends as well as film enthusiasts. The youth all want to participate again next year and all of us on the WLW committee are excited to build on the event next year.”
Reflecting on the challenge, Zoë Veldhuis of Nanticoke shares, “I love film and I love the library. I got to work with my friends which was fun.”
Emma Smout of Port Ryerse says of the experience working with her friend Sarah, “It was an exciting opportunity outside of school. We both enjoy doing this together.”
Diette sees great value for the students taking part. He adds, “Relevant skills such as script writing, acting, and editing are honed. Moreover, the challenge affords youth the chance to connect with others interested in film throughout Haldimand and Norfolk counties.”
Belinda Smith of NCPL states, “Watch Local Week inspires and excites me every year because it’s not just about films…. I also see how it connects the past to the present, and the present to the future, and I’m not just talking about the content of the films…. Events like these have the potential to shape the next generation of local creatives and have a lasting impact on someone whose whole life is ahead of them. That’s so exciting and inspiring to me.”
To view the 24 Hour Youth Film Challenge films, visit haldimandlibrary.ca or youtube.com/norfolkcpl.
