Two Morro Bay students win film awards

Two Morro Bay High School students won separate awards for their film production skills at a contest by the Central Coast Film Society.

The Central Coast Film Society recently held its Student Showcase event at Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria, where the winners of the 2023 Student Film and Media Arts Competition were announced. Students from San Luis Obispo High School, Morro Bay High School, Central Coast New Tech High School, and Ernest Righetti High School were among the recipients of the awards, according to a report by New Times SLO.

The competition featured submissions from students in five different categories, and a panel of five judges, including local film teachers, filmmakers, and industry professionals, reviewed the finalists' works. 

• Laslo S. Estes and Eli Heck from Central Coast New Tech High School won in the Technical category for their film, "Cha Cha Ride." 
• Rae Elizabeth Ruane from Morro Bay High School received the Screenwriting award for "McSpade's Circus of Splendor." 
• Luke Konjoyan, also from Morro Bay High School, won the Photography category for "Vroom Vroom." 
• San Luis Obispo High School students Gavin Patrick Wren, Jenson Wright, and Jackson Sitt received the Central Coast Spirit Award for their submission, "Sandbox: Series."

In the Filmmaking category, two films shared the top honors: "Just Another Cheesy Teen Rom Com" by Isabella Sherfield and Colin Sherfield from Ernest Righetti High School, and "The Key to Fear" by Leo Gerd Eulate from San Luis Obispo High School.

The achievement of Ernest Righetti High School students was acknowledged by their film teacher, Jacob R. Gustafson, who expressed pride in his students' accomplishments and their recognition by a professional organization.

The Central Coast Film Society's Student Showcase event provided a platform for talented students to showcase their creativity and skills in film and media arts, recognizing their outstanding achievements and contributions to the industry.

Morro Bay High School hosts inaugural film festival

Morro Bay High School held its first-ever film festival Monday night.  

Over 50 current high school students submitted films for the festival. School officials say the purpose of the festival is to celebrate the achievements of the school's filmmakers. 

Noah Moreno won best in show, as well as best in animation, and best in comedy, at the festival in San Luis. The final round was judged by a panel of local film industry professionals and students.