Second Annual Filmmaker's Academy Film Festival Review

The second year of Filmmaker's Academy did what every new organization wants to do. It grew two times the size it was last year. That's a lot of homeschoolers wanting to learn how to make movies!

The Filmmakers Academy is ran by two former homeschoolers that have a passion and love for films and cinema. Alex Lerma and Paul Hastings' mission in their second year of the Academy was to "create an environment where aspiring writers, actors, directors, and others can come together and learn with other students in a God-honoring manner while at the same time enhancing lifelong skills like leadership, cooperation, submission, and creativity."

Just like last year, the group of over 60 Central Texas students were split up into several groups and then given assignments of what they had to film at the end of each class for the next session. These assignments came with different themes, handicaps, and time limits. Each different film project had to be within their certain parameters for the week.

The teams would meet once a week for six weeks and participate in workshops and then wrap up the Academy with a film festival and awards ceremony. The workshops would feature Lerma, Hastings, or guest speakers talking on different subjects. Each session was four hours long, in which time the students and teachers would review their work from the last assignment.

The larger number of students for the Filmmaker's Academy this year was definitely reflected in the attendance at the Second Annual Filmmaker's Academy Film Festival. Over 275 attendees showed up to see each team's final film project. The festival had to be moved to High Pointe Baptist Church because of the expectations of a larger turnout.

After each one of the final film projects were screened, it was time for the judges to make their decisions and award the teams. Three awards were given out this year. They included Festival Champion, Audience Choice Award, and Festival Runner-Up.

The judges chose Team Legendary Films' "The Good" as Festival Champion. It revolved around "a young man [who is] too busy to notice a homeless girl. [He comes to] discover that there's more to life than getting a good job or feeling good about oneself." Team Legendary Films' "The Good" also won the Audience Choice Award. "The Good" dealt with themes like caring and compassion.

The film "Superior Weapon" made by The Warriors won the Festival Runner-Up award. Their project told the story of "Rebels [who] show kindness to an agent [that] is bent upon destroying them. Moved by their compassion, the agent must decide who has the superior weapon, and ultimately, who to follow." "Superior Weapon" dealt with themes like betrayal, choices, compassion, decisions, kindness, and rebellion.

To top off the event, keynote speaker Colin Gunn spoke to the audience about his career as a Christian filmmaker and showed clips of his documentary work. Gunn is an award winning filmmaker from Waco, TX. He is presently wrapping up post-production on his newest films, "IndoctriNation" and "Captivated."

Both the Filmmaker's Academy and the Second Annual Film Festival were a big success. There was a great turnout by friends, families, and other attendees who were just interested in filmmaking. Each of the final film projects showed improvement and proof that there's something to be learned at the Filmmaker's Academy.

Heading to the movies? Get an instant mobile coupon to use at select theaters for free popcorn!