The first ever Jasper Youth Film Festival will feature some talented young filmmakers on May 6 at the Jasper Jr./Sr. High School gym. 

Organized by high school teacher Mollie Lalonde-Lynch and two Jasper Elementary School teachers, the event will showcase films made by students at Jasper’s three schools. The films were created by the students on their own time, prompted by some ideas from the organizers. 

Lalonde-Lynch said the students were allowed to do whatever they wanted, but ideas included claymation, sports, music and others. 

The film festival will be the first of its kind, and provides an outlet for students who are creating their own films to show the community what they can do. 

“It’s just to kind of showcase their work and give them some incentive,” Lalonde-Lynch said. 

The videos are due on Friday, April 29, and already a few have been submitted including four or five from the elementary school. 

Lalonde-Lynch said some of the videos she’s viewed are skiing action videos. 

The film festival is partnering with the Right to Read Society and the high school’s Action Club to contribute some funds to a few chosen charities supporting education. The Action Club hopes to raise a few funds for Tools For Schools, which provides under-priviledged students with school supplies. 

The films will be shown at the high school gym, and those that attend will select their favourite film for a People’s Choice Award. Each entry has to create a movie poster, and the winner will be featured around the schools. 

Lalonde-Lynch said many high school students make films to show in class for assignments already, and providing an outlet supports the use of technology. 

“I know the high school makes so many great films, even in class,” she said. “They’re already doing it, we wanted to give them a platform for that, and to show the community as well.”

The school has equipment available for students to use including computers and some camera equipment. The elementary school has been supporting the film festival by hosting nights to teach film editing. 

“Kids are so involved in technology now,” Lalonde-Lynch said. 

The Jasper Youth Film Festival will be held in the high school gym at 7 p.m. on May 6. The event is open to the public, and all the film entries will be shown. 

“I’m hoping the kids will really enjoy it,” Lalonde-Lynch said. “It’s open to anyone to come and see.”