Awards For Student Films From Youth Challenge

The partners behind the Bridging Divides, Healing Communities Youth Film Challenge  announced three winning short films highlighting divisions and inequities in society, and how young people are tackling these challenges in their families, schools and communities.

Yonah Sadeh, a student at Bard College at Simon’s Rock from Falls Village, Conn., received first place and $2,000 for his film on affordable housing, “In Our Backyard.”

Tommy Tranfaglia, a student at Endicott College from Lenox, Mass., was awarded the $1,000 second place prize for his film on learning and attention disabilities, “Misunderstood.”

Danny Wilkinson, a student at Mount Everett Regional High School from Sheffield, Mass., earned $500 and third place for his film about body image and self-esteem, “Self image.”

The challenge was led by the Berkshire Film and Media Collaborative and the Civic Life Project, with funding from Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation.

Honorable mentions went to: Rachael Bentz, of Arts in Recovery for Youth from Pittsfield, Mass., for “The Story of Indigo Phoenix”; Anna Coon, a student at the University of Miami from Sharon, Conn., for “Hidden Insecurities”; Samantha Hoffman, a student at Chatham High School from East Chatham, N.Y., for “He/She/They”; and Madison Long, a student at Housatonic Valley Regional High School from North Canaan, Conn., for “Under Pressure.”

The winning films and a selection of other submissions will be screened at the Daniel Arts Center, Bard College at Simon’s Rock in Great Barrington, Mass., on Sunday, Dec. 12, at 3 p.m. (www.simons-rock.edu/events). Seating is limited and RSVP is required. All attendees must show proof of vaccination and wear masks.   

Serving as judges for the challenge were Damon Osora, chair of the English Department and film teacher at Housatonic Valley Regional High School; Jayne Atkinson, an award-winning actor known primarily for her work in such hit television series as “24,” “House of Cards” and “Madam Secretary”; Gretchen Rennell Court, a casting director for films such as “Flashdance,” “Children of a Lesser God” and “The Horse Whisperer;” Mirissa Neff, a documentary filmmaker who has worked as a producer and correspondent for PBS and public radio programs;  and Matthew Penn, an award-winning director of more than 150 primetime television dramas including “House,” “The Sopranos,” “NYPD Blue” and “Law & Order.” 

The Youth Film Challenge was open to residents ages 14 to 24 who live or go to school in northwest Litchfield, northeast Dutchess, Berkshire and Columbia counties.