The newly formed Foundation For Beacon Schools has announced its 1st Annual Student Film Festival for Beacon City School District (BCSD) students. The festival will premier on Saturday, May 14th, 2022 at the Seeger Theater at the Beacon High School. Students as young as elementary school can enter for consideration, and content can range from Documentary to Narrative (think fiction, stop-motion with Legos, etc.) to Non-Narrative (think abstract figurative set to haunting music) and must be suitable for general audiences with a maximum length of 2 minutes.

The deadline for film submission is April 19, 2022 and can be filmed using a smartphone. Acceptable file formats can include .mov files (for Apple) and .mp4 (for Android).

The foundation is hosting educational events to help students and caregivers think of topics and how to go about making a short film. The online Q&A sessions have been divided to speak to different age groups: Elementary school age children, and Middle/High School age kids. Register for any or all here.

For Elementary Students (Adult caregiver must attend online with student)

Week 1: Monday February 28 at 7:00 pm. Topic: Pre-Production - Developing Your Film Idea.

Week 2: Monday March 7 at 7:00 pm. Topic: Production - Tips for a Successful Film Shoot.

Week 3: Monday March 14 at 7:00 pm. Topic: Post-Production - Editing Your Film.

For Middle and High School Students

Week 1: Thursday March 3 at 7:00 pm. Topic: Pre-Production - Developing Your Film Idea

Week 2: Thursday March 10 at 7:00 pm. Topic: Production - Tips for a Successful Film Shoot

Week 3: Thursday March 17 at 7:00 pm. Topic: Post-Production - Editing Your Film

Register for any or all film production education events here.

About The Foundation For Beacon Schools

Started as a cousin to an earlier education foundation, Beacon Arts and Education Foundation, that had been fueled by Meredith Heur (current Board of Education Board Member and President) and Kelly Ellenwood (one of Beacon’s most involved volunteers and one-time City Council Member candidate), the foundation’s mission is for Beacon’s public schools to be at the leading edge in creating a learning environment in which all students are able to find and cultivate their talents, live purposeful, fulfilling, and vibrant lives, and carry their gifts into the future.

Board of Director

Anna Sullivan, Chair
Debbie Brennen, Vice-Chair and BAM Co-Chair
Rebecca Libed, Treasurer
Kelly Ellenwood, Secretary
Kit Burke-Smith, Communications
Rebecca Correllus, BAM Co-Chair
Barbara Fisher, Director
Maureen Neary, Director
Carole Penner, Director

Advisory Board

Elissa Betterbid (current Beacon Board of Education Member)
August Eriksmoen
Meredith Heuer (current Beacon Board of Education Member and President)
Matt Landahl (current Beacon Superintendent of Schools)
Gwen Laster
Wren Longno (current City Council Member)
Jason McIntyre
Craig Wolf (current Beacon Board of Education Member)
Susan Wright