LANGUAGES FILM FESTIVAL

Languages Film Festival Competition SANDHURST

When the lights go down at a cinema première, the excitement of seeing a film that you created is a privilege usually reserved for big Hollywood directors. However, language students and budding film-makers in the Sandhurst Diocese recently attended the première screening of their own films, created for the inaugural Languages Film Festival.

The atmosphere was buzzing as the screen burst to light with the first of 21 short films written, directed and starring the students of the Sandhurst Diocese. Both primary and secondary schools took part in the Festival, which deliberately shines the spotlight on the benefits of learning a second language. The Catholic Education Sandhurst Languages Film Festival took place in October at the Village Cinema Complex in Shepparton. More than 20 schools took part in the competition, which encouraged students to explore the theme, ‘Why learn languages?’ through the medium of film. Languages Education Officer, Dolly Gerges said there was much excitement surrounding the Film Festival. “Schools put a lot of effort into producing their films and they thoroughly enjoyed seeing them on the big screen,” she said.

“Using the iPad and the new apps has opened up possibilities for some engaging activities in the languages classroom.” Alex Teacher: Notre Dame College Shepparton

“I thought it was a really fun way to expand our knowledge and use our talents to create a film. Going to the festival itself was very enjoyable and the other films were great to watch as well.” Jess Student: Notre Dame College Shepparton

“The schools were first introduced to the Languages Film Festival in Term 1 to explore the benefits of learning different languages and to have fun with their learning,” said Dolly.

Participating schools were provided with a multimedia kit, which enabled them to explore film projects within their individual school settings. David Williams and Grant Fitzgerald from the Catholic Education Office provided initial training and supported schools throughout the process.

Chairperson of the Diocesan Languages Working Party Julie Cobbledick from the Catholic Education Office said the Festival focused on the value of Languages communicated through the various target languages being taught in schools. “The integration of multimedia into the Languages classroom, whilst presenting challenges associated with new learning for students and teachers, has really enhanced approaches to language learning,” she said. Feedback from schools has been extremely positive, saying that it has engaged students in a completely new way. Brandon from Notre Dame College said that it really helped with his Language studies.

“I entered the Languages Film Festival because I thought it would be a great and fun learning experience and that definitely turned out to be true,” he said. “I learnt a lot about how important it can be to learn another language and I furthered my knowledge in Japanese as well,” Brandon said.

The Languages Film Festival Committee awarded prizes in all the film categories, including senior and junior sections in both primary and secondary settings.

Students from St Joseph’s, Numurkah were delighted when they were announced as the winners of the Senior Primary section. Languages teacher, Timothy Harber said the hardest part about the filming process was coming up with ideas.

“Several drafts were written before we came up with the one we used. I was trying not to rush. The cast were great actors, so the hardest part was memorising the lines” said Timothy. The Film Festival Committee was thrilled with the quality of the all entries and St Joseph’s, Numurkah produced a stand-out film. The judges were impressed with the sophisticated special effects and the theme, which focused on the inner workings of the brain. Students used their imagination to highlight the school’s chosen language of Italian, using humour and drama to bring the film to life.

Other major winners included St Mel’s Primary School, Shepparton; St Anne’s College, Kialla; Galen Catholic College, Wangaratta and Notre Dame College, Shepparton.

Some students and teachers have said they are already thinking about next year’s entry and have started planning their film. “Based on the success of the 2019 Languages Film Festival, we can expect this festival to grow in popularity,” said Dolly Gerges. “We are delighted with the enthusiasm of the schools who took part this year and hope that lots of Sandhurst schools will take part in the Languages Film Festival next year.”

Junior Primary ~ 1st Prize St Mels Shepparton Senior Primary ~ 1st Prize St Joseph’s Numurkah Senior Primary ~ Runner Up St Mary’s Rutherglen & St Liborius’ Eaglehawk Junior Secondary ~ 1st Prize St Anne’s College Kialla Junior Secondary ~ Runner Up Galen Catholic College Wangaratta & St Mary of the Angels College Nathalia Senior Secondary ~ Equal 1st Prize Notre Dame College Shepparton & Galen College Wangaratta

“The tools we were given to help with our filming made all the difference to making the film look professional. Visual ideas I never thought possible were made possible thanks to the green screen and app.” Mr Harber Teacher: St Joseph’s Primary Numurkah

““I always thought of acting as my passion and it was a great thrill to be involved. It was a challenge to have to remember all my lines - especially in Italian, but we took our time.” Rebecca Student: St Joseph’s Primary Numurkah