WTHS Television Production Students Make Strong Showing at the Garden State Film Festival
Washington Township High School Television Production students in Kristen Dirato’s class made a strong showing at the 19th Annual Garden State Film Festival, New Jersey’s premiere independent film festival. Student work that was accepted into the 7th Annual Artists Alike Film Festival was automatically entered into consideration for judging in the Garden State competition.
Films were screened on March 28, 2021, at Asbury Lanes in Asbury Park, NJ, where students had a chance to showcase their work.
Winners at the Garden State Film Festival included:
1st Place - NJ Hometown Documentary Short
"At The Core: The Heart of Appel Farm"
by Troy Nguyen (12th grade) and Chloe Pecheux (12th grade)
1st Place- Homegrown Student Short
“ Prom " by Alyssa Marrero (12th grade)
Additionally, the following students’ films were chosen for screening at the Garden State Film Festival:
Narrative: "This is Home" by Troy Nguyen (12th grade)
Narrative: "On Repeat" by Addie Sondberg (11th grade)
Narrative: "Dare to Dream" by Laura Angstadt (10th grade)
Drama: "Baseball Boy 2" by Billy Abrams (12 grade)
Comedy: "Book Talk" by Troy Nguyen (12th grade) and Chloe Pecheux (12th grade)
Comedy: "Black Friday" by Sydney Cella (11th grade)
Music Video: "Night After Night" by Aemilia Orrio (11th grade) and Chloe Pecheux (12th grade)
Suspense: "Nightmare" by Will Schuck (12th grade)
“My students have been doing an amazing job this year, even in the hybrid and remote learning settings, and many of them produced videos that were of a high enough quality to submit to film festivals statewide and internationally,” Dirato said. “I am so proud of their efforts.”
“We congratulate Ms. Dirato and her talented students who turned out great work during a challenging school year,” said Steve Whalen, Supervisor of Science and Technology, Grades 6-12.
WTHS seniors Troy Nguyen and Chloe Pecheux who took first place in the New Jersey Hometown Documentary Short competition.
WTHS senior and Garden State Film Festival winner in the Homegrown Student Short category Alyssa Marrero.