Festival to showcase short student films

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

The fourth annual Friends 4 Friends Film Festival, which showcases short films made by students from six local schools, will take place Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at Ford Family Recital Hall, 260 W. Federal St., downtown.

The festival is a project of Operation Keepsake, a Northeast Ohio group that encourages young people to develop healthy relationships and strong character. Admission is free and open to the public.

The films at this year’s festival, which are each just a few minutes long, were made by students from Austintown Fitch High School, Campbell Memorial High School, Campbell Middle School, Chaney High School, Garrettsville James A. Garfield High School and Western Reserve High School.

They address major issues facing youths today, including sexual assault, prescription drug abuse, eating disorders, sexting and marijuana. Bringing the topics to the big screen gives students the opportunity to discuss them and develop strategies to make wise choices.

The public can vote for the best short film at OK Inc.’s YouTube channel; simply “like” your favorite short film. Each “like” is a vote, and the film with the most “likes” will win the 2016 Friends4Friends Short Film Award.

Other awards include best actress/actor, best teacher turned actress/actor and others.