What a pleasure it was for us to see so many young filmmakers speaking their truths or helping others to tell theirs. The entries for the 41st annual Fresh Film Northwest felt truly fresh in the sense that they took on timely and current topics, and explored a breadth of contemporary issues with authenticity and joy. We saw work that ran with a simple idea and transformed it into something extraordinary. Whether this was through the universal moments found within a personal story—losing a loved one, experiencing prejudice, finding strength in community—or acknowledgment of the inextricable links between people, place, and history. We could see the increasing influence of gaming culture both as subject and backdrop, and as a creative structural element. We also saw creative interplay between the real and imagined, where cinematic space provided a means of processing personal experience. These young filmmakers are taking time, taking risks, questioning the mediated world, and most of all listening: to their elders, to nature, and to each other. We look forward to seeing their work on the big screen and to their continued progress as filmmakers and storytellers. Congrats. 

Anthony Hudson

Elijah Hasan

Jacqueline Gault

Anthony Hudson is a multidisciplinary artist, performer, and filmmaker perhaps best known as Portland’s premier drag clown Carla Rossi.

Elijah Hasan is an award-winning filmmaker, installation artist, and 2011 Oregon Media Arts Fellow.

Jacqueline Gault is Board President of the Oregon Media Production Association and a local film and television creative producer.

Honorable Mentions:

City ’Scape
Gracie Morris, Brendan Hickey, & Jonathan Bowers / Ballard High School, Seattle, WA
(Experimental) The sounds of the urban environment echo a life out of control. (5.5 mins.)
CREATIVE SELF EXPRESSION

The Impact of This Election: Naa Amorkor Quaye
Mackie Mallison / Grant High School Magazine, Portland, OR
(Documentary) The 2016 election as seen by a recent teen immigrant from Ghana. (5 mins.)
HEART AWARD

The Last Day
Chase Hall, Isabella Laplant, Breeanna Polk, Melorie Whit Quills, Keani Gallagher, Whisper Jackson, & Kaelyn Coursey / MAPS Media Institute, Hamilton, MT
(Narrative) Best friends fit their entire summer into one glorious day. (8.5 mins.)
HEART AWARD

A Wing and A Prayer
Noreena McCleave, Nick McCorckle / Woodrow Wilson High School, Portland, OR
(Documentary) Ronda Chiles gives back to her community one plate of soul food at a time. (8 mins.)