ConVal High School Principal Heather McKillop is pleased to announce that two seniors recently had their short films selected for the New Hampshire High School Short Film Festival.
Keegan Harris and Maddie Rugg were both selected for this honor and their films will be displayed online on the NH High School Short Film Festival’s YouTube channel. The festival is online only this year due to COVID-19.
“The two student films accepted this semester are worthy of this honor. Both of these students are celebrating their senior year and they worked very hard on their short films,” said Lance Levesque, ConVal digital photo and video teacher. “Their hard work has paid dividends in solid achievements.”
Keegan Harris: “Southern NH Skatepark Review”
Harris’ film, “Southern NH Skatepark Review,” takes the viewer through Harris’ thoughts on multiple skateparks across New Hampshire, including Antrim Skate Park, Peterborough Skate Park and the Francestown Skate Park. He describes what he likes about each park and the details of the park itself, switching between a webcam-style shot describing the park and action shots of him skating at each location.
“I am most excited about the fact that many people will have the chance to view my film and in many ways I feel that this is a good payoff for the amount of work it took to make this short film,” Harris said. “I have enjoyed making films since childhood and this award was a great way to wrap up my senior year of high school.”
“I think what I enjoy about film is how one is able to separate from reality and one can fully immerse themselves into a story,” Harris said. “My favorite part of making films is seeing the final project come to life.”
Maddie Rugg: “Truth”
Rugg’s film, “Truth,” looks at social media’s influence on body image and how young women perceive themselves when they see “perfect” bodies on social media apps such as Instagram. She uses a voiceover of a young woman viewing herself in the mirror, talking about how bodies should be perceived more as paintings and compares them to each other.
“I feel very proud and exhilarated to have my short film accepted into the New Hampshire High School Short Film Festival this year. It is my hope that others will feel empowered as I did and find some clarity in its message.” Rugg said. “The message of body image is a very important and relatable topic that is not talked about enough especially with young women; the goal of this film is to get people to start talking.”
“I enjoy creating a story with film, creating a mood, a feeling,” Rugg said. “Film is becoming the way we communicate to each other; how we connect with people halfway across the world. It has become a very powerful medium.”
The entire festival collection, including Rugg’s and Harris’ films, can be accessed here.