Next Generation Storytellers holds film festival; presents awards

Excitement filled the air during the weekend of October 18 through 20, 2024, as short films written, directed, and produced by students from Hampton City Schools, Newport News Public Schools, and Charleston County School District (South Carolina) debuted at the Ferguson Center for the Arts at the Next Generation Storytellers Film Festival 2024. Tears of joy, screams of laughter, and tense moments of suspense filled the theatre as attendees witnessed first-hand the hard work and dedication of these talented students who have worked alongside Hollywood actors, producers, directors, and other cast and crew.

Saturday’s evening began with a picturesque moment while students and attendees took a walk on the red carpet, posed for pictures and socialized before the show which consisted of highlight reels from the featured films and the presentation of awards.

Deputy Superintendent and Chief of Staff Dr. John Caggiano and Newport News Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Michele Mitchell presented the awards for best actors. They were among numerous school staff and community members who served as presenters at the event.

The highlight of the evening was when Christopher Newport University presented a $16,000 scholarship to Antonio Pitts, senior at Bethel High School.

Next Generation Storytellers was founded by screen actors Jacob Young (two-time Emmy award-winner known for The Girl Next Door, The Bold and the Beautiful, General Hospital, and All My Children) and Trent Garrett (known for Disney’s Andi Mack, Netflix’s Army of Thieves, and Fox’s New Girl). 

Winners are as follows: 

Young Voices: From the Moon to Her Sun, written by Lilly Thompson and directed by Sharyea Phillips (Newport News Public Schools)

Best Community or Staff Member in an Acting Role: Tracy Bourne, Hampton City Schools, for her role as "Mom" in Until Daylight Comes (Hampton City Schools)

Best Original Screenplay: Omelet Sunday, written and directed by Nolan Ladison (Hampton City Schools)

Best Supporting Actors: (2) Sophia Harris, for her role as "Noname" in Chain Shot (Hampton City Schools); Matthew Vrooman, for his role as Calvin in The Sanguine Teens' Solution (Newport News Public Schools)

Portrait of a Graduate: Fire of the Heart, written by Chelsee MacDonald, directed by Jack Hoppman (Charleston County School District)

Best Director: Sharyea Phillips for directing From the Moon to Her Sun (Newport News Public Schools)

Best Comedy: Omelet Sunday, written and directed by Nolan Ladison (Hampton City Schools)

Community Showcase: Fire of the Heart, written by Chelsee MacDonald, directed by Jack Hoppman (Charleston County School District)

Best Drama: Until Daylight Comes, written and directed by Madysen Dougherty (Hampton City Schools)

Best Suspense or Thriller: The Flip Side, written by Jillian Coddington and directed by Samiya Taliaferro (Newport News Public Schools)

Audience Choice: The Sanguine Teens' Solution, written by Hannah "Chroma" Lee and directed by Trinity Randleman (Newport News Public Schools)

Best Actors: (2) Zion Parks as "James" in Until Daylight Comes (Hampton City Schools); Andrea Pena as "Stella" in From the Moon to Her Sun (Newport News Public Schools)

Best Picture: Untitled Artist, written by Alexander H. and directed by Lilly Goba (Newport News Public Schools)

CNU Scholarship Award:  Antonio Pitts, Hampton City Schools (played the lead "Timothy" in Omelet Sunday and was crew on Chain Shot, The Choice is Yours, and Until Daylight Comes)

Two Hampton City Schools films, Omelet Sunday and Until Daylight Comes were invited to the Virginia Film Festival in November in Charlottesville, VA. Several of our students will be attending the event to see their films and speak with industry professionals. This program is supported by the Virginia Film Commission. 

This year 11 films premiered with four of them being from Hampton City Schools. See all 11 trailers here.

Hampton City Schools trailers shown below.

Chain Shot  

In this pirate-themed comedy, two rival pirates are ready to duke it out…but their first mates have other ideas. 

Click here to see the official trailer.

Omelet Sunday

All Timothy wants is to make breakfast, even if it is the middle of the Zombie Apocalypse. 

Click here to see the official trailer.

The Choice is Yours

A teenage girl finds a strange box on her doorstep that promises to make all her dreams come true…if she dares to trust it. 

Click here to see the official trailer.

Until Daylight Comes

Two brothers learn unexpected lessons about life and themselves on this camping trip. 

Click here to see the official trailer.