Inaugural NKU Media Arts Festival a success

News from NKU...

Tuesday - November 3, 2009
For immediate release...


HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - Area high school students recently explored filmmaking with professionals during the first Northern Kentucky University Media Arts Festival.

Over 100 students attended the event, which was hosted by the NKU Department of Communication. The festival engaged upper-class high school students from Dixie Heights, Owen County, Scott, Simon Kenton and Summit Country Day high schools.

The festival, which took place in the NKU Student Union, featured workshops with area film professionals and provided high school students the opportunity to participate in a film competition.

Over 20 local industry professionals were on hand to lead workshops, participate in panel discussions and answer questions. Designed for the next generation of media creators, the festival featured keynote speaker NKU alumna Sheree Paolello, the lead anchor for the Channel 5 evening news team.

NKU sophomore Austin Brown proposed the idea to host a media arts festival last fall. Brown has already made his mark at NKU as co-founder of the Norse Film Society and the festival realizes another dream he has brought to life.

"The festival came together perfectly," he said. "I'm really excited for future festivals. I hope eventually we'll be able to offer the high school students scholarships to NKU."

The event concluded with a film screening highlighting the best works submitted by high school attendees and an award ceremony. Students submitted entries for best documentary, best public service announcement and best short feature. Winners received HD video cameras and an opportunity to gain real-world experience by shadowing professionals in the industry.

Summit Country Day student Margaret MacKenzie "Migs" Hacket won best documentary for her film "From Conflict to Heroism: The Black Brigade of Cincinnati." Simon Kenton student Zac Losey won for best PSA with his entry "Freshman Public Service Announcement." Jacob Motz of Simon Kenton won best short feature for his "Jake V. Wild."

Anyone interested in attending next year’s festival, participating as a sponsor or donor or for more information, visit http://nkumediafest.org.

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