Inaugural Middle School Film Festival

This November, middle school students who spent the spring semester of the 2023-2024 school year creating short films saw their hard work come to life on the big screen. The event showcased a variety of genres, from comedies and sci-fi to advertisements and a high-stakes action heist, all crafted by middle school students.

For these young filmmakers, it wasn’t just about seeing their work on the big screen—it was about the journey and the impact. Click here to see all six films. 

Freshman Holden Hill reflected on the experience: "It felt nice seeing the audience enjoy what we worked on, especially inspiring the younger students," he said. "I felt very accomplished.”

Hill discovered a love for editing through the process, starting with Film Foundations when he joined Oaks Christian School in eighth grade, learning the basics of cinema. After the films premiered, younger middle school students asked the filmmakers a variety of questions regarding the process and collaboration.  

"I felt proud to know how to answer their questions and spark their interests,” Hill shared, looking ahead to potentially continuing his film journey in high school. His advice to others?

"Everyone should take film—it makes it more fun to watch movies." 

Grady Holland, also Class of 2028, described the showcase as "the closure we needed." After months of effort, some students even extended their work into the summer, seeing the final product on screen was deeply satisfying. "We’ve been working on our films for so long. I’m really proud."

Holland also shared his passion for behind-the-scenes content, which he sees as an important learning tool, especially when he filled the role of an extra in the previous year’s high school feature film, “Right Here, Right Now.”

His love for storytelling drives his passion for film. "Storytelling can teach you about life, not just filmmaking. It’s a fun time with friends, and I am grateful for any form of storytelling I can do."

The middle school’s first film festival marked a milestone for these young creators, celebrating their achievements and inspiring a new generation of filmmakers. From mastering the basics to exploring their creativity, the students left their audience entertained and eager to see what’s next.