ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Rochester's Little Theatre is showing the best of the best when it comes to young filmmakers from across, and even outside, the Greater Rochester area.
The Rochester Teen Film Festival is Thursday at The Little. It's a juried media competition for kids ages 13-18. A field of 40 films was narrowed down to 10 finalists from Victor to Rochester and as far away as Ireland.
The Little Theatre is Rochester's go-to place to see indie and foreign films so of course, that unique vibe and invitation to be creative extends to teens.
Linda Moroney, the co-founder of the Rochester Teen Film Festival, is all about highlighting the work of urban, suburban and rural teen filmmakers.
The films are anywhere from 10 seconds to 10 minutes long.
“It can be of any genre," said Moroney. "It can be a music video, it could be a narrative film, a documentary or animation. Really anything kids can dream up and then we’re open to it and create we are open to it. The only parameter is really that they have to feel OK watching it with grandma.
The finalists get to see their film on the big screen at the Little Theatre Thursday.
Tyler Gibson is a senior at Edison Career & Technology High School. He and a couple dozen of his classmates produced a documentary "The "Unattainable Dream." Gibson defines redlining as discriminating neighborhoods based on race. He’s beyond thrilled the film is getting views.
“I’ve accomplished things that I did not think I would accomplish yet," Gibson said. "It has given me a voice. The project is amazing because it can help our future, our community and what we went through in the past so we won’t have to go through it again."
Joshuan Perez also worked on the film. It’s changed his life, in a good way.
“I was so introverted," said Perez. "I didn’t like the outside world. I would always close myself in. But ever since Covid, I slowly learned to break that shell and be able to express myself more and speak to those around me in a way that I want to be expressed and show people how I want to be seen. With all the feedback that I was getting it was really helpful and really helped me out.
The "Unattainable Dream" is one of the 10 finalists.
The young filmmakers selected for this festival will also have a chance to earn awards, some of them come with a cash prize.
The Teen Film Festival is Thursday. Showtime is at 5:30 p.m.
It is free and open to the public.