Tomorrow, Westporters will flock to beaches, ball games and the dump.
Many others will head indoors.
For 6 years, the Westport Youth Film Festival has been created and managed by youngsters. Coordinator Sandy Lefkowitz — one of the few adults involved — says that sometimes means things are “not as professional as I would like.”
But, she notes, “the kids are incredible — and learning.”
WYFF — which exclusively screens films by high school (even middle school) students — lacks the budget of festivals run by colleges and community organizations.
But those other festivals use WYFF as a resource. And — try as they might — they don’t attract the number of films WYFF does.
Because of WYFF, Sandy has developed a curriculum called “The Art of Filmmaking” for Bridgeport’s Bridge Academy charter school. It provides interaction between filmmakers in various towns, and gives Bridge students a chance to enter WYFF.
This is the 1st year of its 3-year program (funded by Westport Sunrise Rotary and the Fairfield County Foundation). Sandy calls it “very successful.”
As is the Westport Youth Film Festival. For tomorrow’s full schedule (10 a.m.-5:20 p.m. at Town Hall; 10:30 a.m.-5:45 p.m. at Toquet Hall; awards ceremony at 6:30 p.m.), click here.