Short and sweet
Española Valley High School Youth Film Festival has something for everyone
With the ever-growing influence of social media such as YouTube videos, Facebook and Instagram posts, and Snapchat stories, short videos have become one of the most popular and effective forms of communication. Whether it’s for the witty application of satire, a “behind the scenes” look at an art exhibition, athletic promotions or raising awareness about a pressing social issue, the students at Española Valley High School demonstrate all aspects of broadcast communication for their upcoming Youth Film Festival.
The topics in the 31 short videos range from dealing with depression to a parody of Mean Girls. Although some clips were better executed and more developed than others, each one has the same passionate drive behind the story the students chose to tell.
No one expects high-definition quality or Hollywood-level production values in such festivals, and in fact, the awkwardness of the on-screen actors and the use of basic technology, combined with a hint of modern trends, contributed to a “fresh” feel to the shorts.
I enjoyed watching every clip and saw the sincerity and effort put into each one, but some topics and themes resonated with me more than others. During the comedic skits, for instance, I didn’t always quite grasp the jokes, and I suspect I often laughed where it wasn’t intended. Whereas with the “social issue” clips, I was immediately able to empathize. My favorites were those targeted toward raising awareness through the use of humor.
One video in particular, which satirized common stereotypes, really spoke to me. In the piece, a student asks an African-American student if she’s related to another male across the room, to which she promptly replies, “Just because we’re both black doesn’t mean we know each other.” As an Asian teen, I laughed out loud. The clip reminded me of all the times I was annoyed when people automatically assumed any other Asian was my brother, sister or distant cousin. I appreciated the fact that someone out there feels the same way.
Other more serious and controversial topics, such as Deantrea Curtis’ Black Lives Matter: Ten Ways to Die if You’re Black and Trump’s Election — How Did it Affect You? made by Jennifer Melendrez, Neyma Salas, Ashly Ponce and Brandon Romero, were not only handled professionally, but were presented from an objective standpoint without evident bias. When watching these clips, I felt proud to witness people my age giving a voice to our generation.
Although I liked the majority of the clips, some inherently grabbed me that may not appeal to others. For instance, as a 16-yearold pop-culture fanatic, I enjoy listening to the backtracks featuring artists such as Eminem and Kendrick Lamar; someone who doesn’t enjoy hip-hop may find such music crude or vulgar.
Sports videos featuring the crotches of the wrestling team members and basketball trick shots flew right over my head, but might be more appreciated by an audience who understands and enjoys athletics.
But it is important to keep in mind that watching student-produced work isn’t about discovering the next Martin Scorsese or identifying with every clip in the program. It’s about being able to appreciate and understand the passion that pushed students to spend weeks creating works that express who they are and how they feel.
This is the 17th year of the Española Valley High film festival, which will start at 7 p.m. Friday, May 5, at the Center for the Arts auditorium at Northern New Mexico College in Española. Admission is free.
Ramona Park is a junior at Santa Fe High School. Contact her at yoharamona@gmail. com.