There's a certain quirky, nervous and overly-confident sensation one gets from a theatre full of talented filmmakers under the age of majority. The world is their oyster, they don't think about the can'ts, they think about the why nots?
The Youth by Youth cinema competition is a chance for kids from Calgary to submit a short film, have a public screening and enter to win a few awards.
Hosted with comic relief and text message trivia between the shows, YYC exhibited the top 15 films submitted from a total of 100 entries. Many of them featured scenes from the schools they attended and starred friends, teachers or parents anxious to support the budding filmmakers.
Winner of the best short for the elementary and junior high category was A recipe for disaster by Eric Hayes. Hayes painstakingly created a set in his basement for an animation featuring a baker trying to get to work.
The best short for high school went to Sarah Miller for Namaste about her trip to Nepal. This reflective short also picked up the audience favourite award from the 200 or so guests in the theatre.
Experts Say took home the Young Renegades award directed by Bhaveek Makan who brought his whole family along for the screenings. Experts say screened like a polished YouTube video and featured realistic warfare, explosions and soundtracks produced exclusively for the production about a teen who becomes paranoid about scientific studies.
If they can do it, so can you. Go grab that camcorder!
