San Diego Film Festival Connects with PG-13 Audience

Film Festivals should foster the creativity of future filmmakers. Yes, students. After all, the very existence of the industry depends on nurturing the creativity of the PG-13 and over set. The San Diego Film Festival offers a unique program called Connect, and it’s specifically for high school students who want to pursue a career in film-making.

High Tech High Students Bethany Shedrick, Alessandra Cesena and Maijii Serles Participated in the Connect Event at San Diego Film Festival. Photo S. Valle

Whether it’s writing a script, learning to be a Final Cut Pro ninja, or figuring out how to fund and promote their work, San Diego area students got it all in one day.

Point Loma High Students, Clinton St. Clair, Cody Binggeli and Ryan Lancaster Connect with program host Jared Callahan at San Diego Film Festival. Photo S. Valle

Connect is the San Diego Film Festival’s all-day program hosted by Jared Callahan, an independent filmmaker, who has been doing this for the past several years. Approximately 250 students from schools like Point Loma High School and High Tech High, get an excused day off regular school to attend the all-program with their teachers in toe. “We reach out to the San Diego Unified School District months ahead of time, so kids can get permission to attend this incredible program.”

Aspiring filmmakers got to hear directly from some in the film industry about what it’s like to work on and create films for a living.  David Spaltro flew in from New York city to share his passion and knowledge with students. “I travel to film festivals all over the country to share my experience with students.”

David Spaltro of Wanderign Cut Films is a Writer-Producer-Director based in New York who Connected with film students at SDFF 2012. Photo S. Valle

Panels at the Connect program also featured “Twilight Saga Breaking Dawn Part 2″ actress Marisa Quinn, who plays in the final installment of the insanely popular franchise opening November. She offered young acting students advise on how to not give up on their dreams, and that practice, practice, practice is the best thing they can do as they work their way into Hollywood.

Marisa Quinn (Quintanilla) is also in San Diego to promote her new comic series ‘Sweet Mary and Jane.” She is scheduled to walk the red carpet at Reading Cinemas at the Gaslamp at 2:30pm as part of the festival’s For Shorts and Giggles section.

Joey Travolta, John Travolta’s brother, is the director of “30 Minutes Tonight” and will also be on the red carpet starting at 3:30. Rummor has it that cast members from Parenthood and Modern Family will join in the festivities today.