The DeKalb Difference Blog

DeKalb Entertainment Commission Celebrated DeKalb Students at 5th Annual Student Film Festival

DeKalb Entertainment Commission, a division of Decide DeKalb, celebrated students from 11 DeKalb County High Schools this past Wednesday, March 21st at the Plaza Theatre at the 5th Annual Student Film Festival. 

The DeKalb County Student Film Festival is a collaboration with DeKalb Entertainment Commission, DeKalb County School District, and Re:Imagine.

Films were judged by film professionals included Mavro Diamanti (Development Assistant at Tyler Perry Studios & Writer/Producer of Rockstar Brothers) and Javon Johnson (currently starring in Tyler Perry’s hit tv drama “The Oval”).  Johnson took the stage to congratulate the students at the film festival and encouraged them to keep their peer networks as that’s how some great partnerships get formed.

 “There is no question of the impact and success that filming, and television production is having on the state of Georgia’s economy and workforce,” said Dorian DeBarr, President of Decide DeKalb Development Authority. DeKalb Entertainment Commission, a division of Decide DeKalb, is actively identifying ways to ensure our youngest residents have access to meaningful career paths within the entertainment industry. Congrats to all of the students who participated in the festival as well as a huge “thank you” to the CTAE instructors for preparing them for a bright future!”

Career, Technical, and Agricultural (CTAE) Instructional Coordinator, Tom McFerrin said “DeKalb County students represented 11 high schools from all over DeKalb County and sponsorships for the festival went towards sending some students to a National Film Festival in Long Beach, CA.

DEC Director Shelbia Jackson said “The film industry is booming in DeKalb County as productions like our numerous sound stages, diverse outdoor landscape, and talent.  It’s important that we continue to provide opportunities for our high school students who are interested in building a career and are getting ready to take the next step with pursuing their dreams of working in the entrainment industry.”

Congratulations to all the Award Winners:

Novice Category: 

Overall Best Editing: Chamblee High School: Guise

Overall Best Cinematography: Chamblee High School: Guise

Overall Best Acting: Lakeside High School: Friendship

Overall best Sound: Lakeside High School: Friendship

Overall Best Set Design: Arabia Mountain High School: Wishing Well

Overall Best Wardrobe: Columbia High School: The Shattering

Advanced Category: 

Overall Best Editing: DeKalb School of the Arts: The Brink of Hell

Overall Best Cinematography: Lakeside High School: Presque Vu

Overall Best Acting: DeKalb School of the Arts: The Sitcom

Overall Best Sound: DeKalb School of the Arts: The Real Talk

Overall Best Set Design: Lakeside High School: Presque Vu

Overall Best Wardrobe: DeKalb School of the Arts: The Brink of Hell