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Branksome Hall News
Virtual Film Festival shines spotlight on Branksome filmmakers
What do the films Alien and Arrival have in common? Or, how about La La Land and Singin' in the Rain, for that matter?
All these well-loved films were held up for examination by Branksome Hall students as part of the first ever Virtual Film Festival, held on Thursday, May 7.
All these well-loved films were held up for examination by Branksome Hall students as part of the first ever Virtual Film Festival, held on Thursday, May 7.
Showcasing and celebrating the work of our Diploma Programme Film students, and co-hosted by Branksome Hall, The York School and Upper Canada College, this event replaced the live screening previously held at the Regent Theatre for many years.
With “screen time” replacing the silver screen, students nevertheless had the opportunity to come together for a pre-registered live webinar, offering an evening that represented the culminating event for Diploma Programme 1 and 2 filmmakers.
The ability for film to connect and unite people effectively, in a time of quarantine, was not lost on the student presenters.
“Film proves time and time again to be a way for artists to express their unique ideas and styles and engage meaningfully with the world around them,” said DP2 film student Nicolette, who spoke along with Charlotte and Jade. “I can say [that] film feels like an especially relevant art form right now.”
The students took the opportunity to thank Samatha Koscec, Instructional Leader, Visual Arts, for her support of the program, along with Lindsay Erdman, DP1 Film teacher, Melissa Shaddick, DP2 Film teacher, and Michael Ianni-Palarchio, Director of Technology and Innovation, for “his time and commitment to showcasing our films in a virtual format.”
Despite the unusual circumstances this year, the overall lessons learned not only withstood the shift in format, but also shone a light on filmmaking’s relevance and role in these extraordinary times. Says DP1 student Jade, “I am beginning to understand that film is the art of consistent problem solving.”
To view the evening’s films, please click here. The password is branksomefilm.
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LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT
We wish to acknowledge this land on which Branksome operates. For thousands of years, it has been the traditional land of the Huron-Wendat, the Seneca, and most recently, the Mississaugas of the Credit River. Today, this meeting place is still the home to many Indigenous peoples from across Turtle Island and we are grateful to have the opportunity to work and go to school on this land.
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