Lights, camera, action! The 2021 Academies Film Fest Awards (AFFA) were held on May 22. AFFA was held virtually this year due to the pandemic, with the screening of the videos combined with the presentation of the awards. Attendees were sent a link to a video of the ceremony on the day of the event. After a category was introduced and all its nominated films were screened, one of the co-hosts opened an envelope and pulled out a card, reading the name of the winner written on it. There were three categories: Animation, Nonfiction Documentary, and Fiction. 

The awards ceremony was directed by Ms. Wall and co-hosted by Bella Andrade, Gretchen Albers, and Jacob Thomas. Mr. Ajima, Mr. Hiltner, Aryan Bhupalam, Nihar Kandarpa, and Mia Jones judged the submissions. In addition, Evan Stuart was the CG operator and Joey Celentano was the live switcher. 

Below is the list of nominees and winners.

 

Animation (submissions ranged from 2 to 5 minutes)

“An Unconventional Motorsport” by Eric Lyons (winner)

“An Unconventional Motorsport” details the journey of a firefighter chief trying to beat the reigning racecar champion in a race. Lyons used Legos and stop-motion animation to create his visuals and voiceover for the characters’ speech. Judges stated that they liked the “approach of the film” and the “technique of the director”. 

Non-fiction Documentary (submissions ranged from 5 to 20 minutes)

“My Brother: A Musical Prodigy” by Violet Wood (winner)

“My Brother: A Musical Prodigy” is centered on 22-year-old Jack Wood, a musician who plays organ, piano, guitar, banjo, and harmonica. The film shows Jack Wood telling the story of his musical career and how he got into music, statements from Jack’s mother and father, and video clips/pictures of him as a child or of playing instruments. Judges called the winning submission “enlightening” and “engaging”, and they “appreciated how the photos and music supported the film in a powerful way”.

 

“A Drum Line” by Evan Stuart

“A Drum Line” depicts how school drumlines have changed due to the pandemic from the perspective of a teacher, a student, and a parent. In the film, Stuart interviews Riverside High School’s Band Director and Fine Arts Chairman Mr. Bram Smith, Drumline Snare and Tenor Section Leader Caleb Grady, Snare Drummer Taylor Cadense, and Band Parent Mrs. Christy Stuart.

 

“Breaking Point” by Shelby Seman 

“A Breaking Point” addresses how students’ mental health has changed as a result of the pandemic. The film begins with Seman introducing the topic of mental health in the pandemic followed by individual interviews with students Lexie Strandberg and Violet Wood.

“Day in the Life with Jacob Thomas” by Qu Nmashie

“Day in the Life with Jacob Thomas” portrays snippets of a typical day in Stone Bridge High School Athlete Jacob Thomas’ life. Nmashie also interviews Thomas about his life and sports career and acquires statements from his coaches about Thomas’ talent.

“Life in a Pandemic” by Aleksi Saario

“Life in a Pandemic” depicts a student, Alex, who is frustrated with the dullness of his routine after the pandemic. Upset, Alex leaves his online class and the rest of his experience is narrated through slides of text. 

 

Fiction (submissions ranged from 5 to 20 minutes)

“Hawks Landing” by Gretchen Albers (winner)

“Hawks Landing” tells the story of two strangers who need to learn to cooperate after a new strain of COVID-19 has made survival difficult. The plot was compelling and captivating, and it even included a fight sequence!

 

“Ask August” by Lexie Strandberg

“Ask August” tells the story of lonely high school student August West (played by Shelby Seman) who opens an advice stand to make new friends.

 

“Doubles” by TJ Santoro

“Doubles” follows a college student carrying out her thrilling and untraditional part-time job.

 

“Rook-ie” by Bella Andrade

“Rook-ie” focuses on a father and son who develop a hobby of playing Chess during the pandemic. However, what they don’t know is that their new hobby could end up harming or helping their relationship.

 

“What’s Going On In Apt. B?” by TJ Santoro

“What’s Going On In Apt. B?” displays bizarre events going on in the apartment, along with dramatic lighting and intense sound effects. 

 

The Academies Online congratulates all the nominees and winners of this year’s AFFA and can not wait for next year’s awards ceremony!

 

written by Tryphena Pilli

edited by Keerthi Selvam and Saanvi Gutta