Get ready to contemplate some challenging topics, dark thoughts, and moments of illumination, thanks to young filmmakers in the Mountain Lake PBS region. You’ll see a variety of short subjects, all created for the Beyond the Peaks Student Film Festival. Prepare to take a journey of light and shadow as young people explore the art of making movies.
In this special episode of Mountain Lake Journal, “Spotlight” host Paul Larson presents the work of talented teen filmmakers from the state of New York and the province of Quebec. The short films you’ll see are all winning entries in the film festival for the year 2024, an unforgettable year in the North Country, thanks to the spectacle of the total solar eclipse in April. The festival this year encouraged the exploration of darkness and light to commemorate the amazing celestial event.
View the special program here.
Feeling like directing a movie? Learn about the 2025 competition here.
Congratulations to the award-winners in 2024! Enjoy their interviews below.
First Place Overall & Narrative Category Winner
Memory
Submitted by Dylan Ferrara
See Dylan interviewed here.
Second Place Overall
Abeyance
Submitted by Kian Hezarkhani
See Kian interviewed here.
Third Place Overall & Thriller Category Winner
No Way Out
Submitted by Justice Hurtado
See Justice interviewed here.
Documentary Category Winner
The Tradition of Crostoli
Submitted by Laura Filippini
See Laura interviewed here.
PSA Category Winner
Life So Short
Submitted by Zack Lewis
See Zack interviewed here.
Open Category Winner
Don’t Sing
Submitted by Nathan Bokobza
Light and Shadow Winner
Light in All the Darkness
Submitted by Jacob Slagel
See Jacob interviewed here.
Spotlight is made possible, in part, by the Glenn and Carol Pearsall Adirondack Foundation, dedicated to improving the quality of life for year-round residents of the Adirondack Park. Spotlight is also supported by Hill and Hollow Music.