42nd Fresh Film Northwest Winning Program

Directed by Various

JUROR STATEMENT

In this year’s entries to Fresh Film Northwest, we found a very broad range of styles, themes, and approaches to assess. Some, often made with minimal resources by first time entrants, were short and to the point. Others were lengthy and complex, the culmination of an individual’s entire high school career. In making our selections, it came down to how well each piece achieved what the teen filmmaker had set out to do, and the extent to which they were successful in engaging us, the viewers, in their thoughts and dreams.

Reflected in the entries were recurring themes stemming from the adolescent experience of today. Many of the works demonstrated and/or directly explored the influences of television and media forms on friendships, life choices, and their perceptions of themselves. A number of them bemoaned the drudgery of “adult” life (please don’t let this happen to me) and sought to suggest a way out.

Yet the greatest overriding theme, one that permeated the vast majority of the entries, was that of identity and the struggle to discover it, believe in it, and ultimately to celebrate one’s own unique story. Whether expressed through a documentary, personal narrative, or hybrid form, many of our favorite entries are, at their core, about breaking through to a new and better place—a culture of acceptance, inclusion, and great possibilities.

Lev Anderson
Jenn Chavez
Mikai Lewis

Lev Anderson’s films and photographs explore his deep interest in local communities, urban infrastructures, climate and wilderness. His work includes the heralded music documentary Everyday Sunshine: The Story of Fishbone.

Jenn Chavez is a radio announcer for Oregon Public Broadcasting. Previously, she was a producer for OPB’s Think Out Loud, a reporter for XRAY-FM focusing on issues impacting underrepresented communities, and co-host of The Film Show on KBOO.

Mikai Lewis is a multi-media artist who uses film, photography, ecology, and writing to articulate and manifest emotional and enlightening commentary, and positive alternative realities, for her audiences.