Lights, camera, celebration! Hampton students win big at Storytellers Film Festival

The Next Generation Storytellers Film Festival, held at the Ferguson Center for the Arts returned for its third year, highlighting student filmmakers from Hampton City Schools and Christopher Newport University (CNU). The event featured seven short films written, directed, and produced by students, showcasing a range of stories from comedy to drama—including four from Hampton City Schools: Connecting Calls, Fading Away, Starting Somewhere, and Stay Inside.

 

Several Hampton City Schools and community leaders joined in presenting awards throughout the evening, including Dr. Raymond Haynes, superintendent of Hampton City Schools, and councilwoman Carolyn Campbell of the Hampton City Council.

 

The evening also included a special appearance by Miss America 2026, Cassie Donegan, who spoke about the importance of arts education and empowering young voices. Supported by CNU, Hampton City Schools, and local partners, the festival continues to provide hands - on opportunities for students to learn every aspect of the filmmaking process—from concept to red carpet.

 

Winners were as follows:

 

Category  -  Winner  -  Movie  -  Role

Best Actor (HS) - Antonio Pitts (HCS) - Starting Somewhere - Tyler

Best Actor (HS) - Sophia Harris (HCS) - Fading Away - Carmine

Best Actor (CNU) - Ephraim Tshianyi (CNU) - Interrogators - Rick

Best Actor (CNU) - Kate Bentov (CNU) - A New Moon - Selene

Best Director (HS) - Madison Newton (HCS) - Connecting Calls - Director/Screenwriter

Best Director (CNU) - Thomas Bolton (CNU) - Boxed Out - Director/Screenwriter

Best Screenplay: HS - Madysen Dougherty (HCS) - Stay Inside - Director/Screenwriter

Best Screenplay: CNU - Sophia Brent (CNU) - A New Moon - Screenwriter

Best Comedy - Thomas Bolton (CNU) - Boxed Out - Director/Screenwriter

Best Drama/Thriller - Sydney Goodley (HCS) - Starting Somewhere - Director

Portrait of a Graduate - Antonio Pitts (HCS) - Starting Somewhere - Screenwriter/Actor

Community Showcase - Suri Williams (HCS) - Fading Away - Director

Young Voices - Madison Newton (HCS) - Connecting Calls - Director/Screenwriter

Young Voices - Wilkes Ferguson (CNU) - Interrogators - Screenwriter

Best Community or Staff Member in an Acting Role - Lisa Wassel (HCS) - Connecting Calls/Fading Away - Counselor

Best Picture (HS) - Antonio Pitts, Sydney Goodley (HCS) - Starting Somewhere - Antonio Pitts (screenwriter); Sydney Goodley (director)

Best Picture (CNU) - Sophia Brent, Maddi Morris (CNU) - A New Moon - Sophia Brent (screenwriter); Maddi Morris (director)

Best Supporting Actor (HS) - Silas Butler (HCS) - Stay Inside - Ryan

Best Supporting Actor (HS) - Phoenix Harris (HCS) - Fading Away - Lucia

Best Supporting Actor (CNU) - Nolan Ladison (CNU) - Interrogators - Jimmy

Best Supporting Actor (CNU) - Nick Lubinski (CNU) - Boxed Out - Josh

Audience Choice - Starting Somewhere

HS=High School