Identity Film Festival Puts Students in the Spotlight

Identity Film Festival Puts Students in the Spotlight

Grab your snacks and settle in for a night of film on campus.

The Identity Film Festival will take place once again as part of a weekend of community fun. Kicking off at 6pm following the Jazz & Chill Sessions, students, parents, and staff are invited to join for the screenings of several student-made films on a massive new LED screen in the recently renovated Middle School Plaza.

Check out the Identity Film Festival trailer above.

“WAB’s students have put together an amazing collection of films that highlight their creativity and their technical mastery,” DP Film Teacher EJ Callahan said. “Some of the films submitted to this year’s Identity Film Festival reflect the uncertainty of the last year that came with the global pandemic and contain darker themes. Some of the films lean towards escapism and magical realism, and many students experimented with the horror genre to explore how cinematography and editing can work together to build suspense. I hope students, parents and teachers will come to the Identity Film Festival to see just how amazing these young adults are.”

Films submitted as part of the festival will include those made in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme Film course, as well as several made by students outside of their classwork.

Grade 10 student Cici M. started IB Film class while WAB students were learning remotely and was not immediately in love with the subject. But since returning to campus, she has uncovered a passion and submitted a film called 1927 in the upcoming festival.

"Gradually, as we returned to campus, we started shooting on set, and I discovered the fun of filmmaking as well as the fulfilling sense of achievement after working really hard regardless of directing, editing, shooting or scriptwriting," Cici said. "As I gain more insight into filmmaking, I see film as a form of art. In art, I enjoy the process of creating and seeing its obvious qualities: the presentation, the colors, and the precision."

1927 tells the story of a young man who had abandoned himself to despair. While saving someone from a car wreck, he travels back in time and is transformed by the people he meets along the journey. Cici wrote, directed and edited the film, while several of her classmates acted, helped with visual effects, and contributed to the creation of the storyline.

"We worked hard and put lots of effort into this project unanimously, and I am grateful to have this memorable and gratifying experience with my crew," she said.

Awards will be given to the students for best Directing, Cinematography, Editing, Sound Design, and Acting. Audience members should also look out for this year’s IFF or Jazz & Chill T-shirts on sale, the logos for which were created by Middle School Design students.