Written by the Department of Instructional Technology
The Instructional Technology Department of Atlanta Public Schools (APS) recently hosted the second annual Film Festival, a celebration of young cinematic talent. Nearly 300 students from elementary, middle, and high schools across the district participated, submitting over 100 unique films from 32 schools.
APS Film Festival Highlight Reel
The Film Festival was created to provide a platform for students to demonstrate understanding of subject matter, including language arts, social studies, science, technology, and more through creative storytelling.
Participating Schools and Winners’ List
Filmmaking offers opportunities for collaborative learning and project-based experiences for our students, as well as promoting critical thinking and analysis of media and its impact. Fostering student voice, perspective, and self-expression, entries included documentaries, narratives, animations, and experimental films.
Each film was scored by a panel of three judges from industry partners, including Apple, Discovery Education, Canva, Adobe, Digital Promise, Book Creator, Smart, Wakelet, i2E, and Lenovo. Films were evaluated in four categories: technical, content, creativity, and copyright/ fair use.
To honor the hard work and creativity of these budding filmmakers, an Oscars-themed awards ceremony was held at Maynard Jackson High School on Wednesday, May 7, 2025. The event celebrated all creators and served as the venue to announce the winners in academic and aesthetic categories in elementary, middle, and high school. APS’s own, Sage Carlos, a fifth grader from Bolton Academy, served as the awards ceremony emcee.
The film festival provides students with an opportunity to express themselves, hone their filmmaking skills, and receive recognition for their creative endeavors. The awards ceremony was a highlight of the event, fostering a sense of community and pride among the participants, their families, and the educators involved.