Naperville’s Neuqua Valley High School was one of three winners in last week’s Student Silent Film Festival, taking home awards in cinema achievement and audience choice.
“The recognition is great,” Neuqua Valley media production teacher John Gelsomino said in an email Thursday. “(But) I am most proud that this was a true team effort by the class and that everyone was able to contribute a unique skill to the film.”
More than 400 people attended the annual festival at Downers Grove’s Tivoli Theatre on Jan. 22, according to a news release.
Founded in 2017, the competition invites students from across the Chicago area to create their own original films without the aid of voices or sound effects.
Neuqua Valley was one of 11 participating high schools and ultimately emerged a winner. Other winners were Oak Forest and Lake Forest high schools.
“The silent film is a great challenge to them as students because they are forced to tell a complete story entirely through visuals,” Gelsomino said.
Neuqua Valley competed with an original silent picture entitled “Friendzone.” Running for 5 minutes and 38 seconds, the short film follows a young boy facing the growing pains of adolescence as he gets older, from struggling to fit in to making friends at school. To cope with the challenges, he relies on a small cadre of imaginary friends, who appear as animated characters.
“Friendzone” earned Neuqua Valley one of three “Outstanding Achievement in Cinema” awards. It was also the only school to receive the “Audience Choice Award.”
Neuqua Valley has competed in the Student Silent Film Festival since its inception eight years ago.
The festival was founded by Ed Newmann, Bill Allan and Derek Berg. Newmann, who lives in Hinsdale, is an animator and entrepreneur. He founded the Chicago-based Calabash Animation studio. Allan, of La Grange, is founder and supervisor of the television media program at Lyons Township High School. Berg, of Clarendon Hills, is founder and CEO of Clarendon Hills Music Academy.
“We had a fabulous turn-out,” Newmann said in a statement on this year’s festival. “Each year the festival has attracted more people — parents, students, friends, fans and the public, which was very rewarding for the filmmakers.”
All films screened at Tivoli last week were accompanied by live music.
As a testament to their work this year, each participating high school will be provided with an HD digital file of their movie with the accompaniment soundtrack.
“Friendzone” is now available for viewing online at www.youtube.com/neuquamedia.
