Our student filmmakers won two of the top awards at the twelfth annual Calabasas Film Festival (CFF) on Sunday, September 21. The CFF, which ran from September 17-21, showcased major film premieres, documentaries, and four student films from Viewpoint. From more than 100 submissions, our students won:

• Outstanding Achievement for Film: “How It Should Be” by Film IV, Director Natalie Yerelekian’ 25. 
• Outstanding Achievement in Ensemble: “Period” by Film III, Director Daphne Huffman’ 26.

Film Teacher Monica Hoenig was thrilled by the students’ success in the competition and shared her thoughts on the importance of the CFF to her students:

“What makes me most proud is the standout, polished work our students presented at the festival. Their films are imaginative and thoughtful, crafted with a level of skill and artistry that rivals professional work. Year after year, I see how these highly complicated projects help them grow not only as filmmakers but also as confident young people ready to take on the world. Being recognized at the Calabasas Film Festival, an important part of their immediate community, is a true celebration of their artistry, talent, and dedication.”

The Student Films Shown at CFF:

• “How It Should Be” by Film IV, Director Natalie Yerelekian’ 25. “How It Should Be” Crew:

Writer & Director: Natalie Yerelekian

1st Assistant Director: Zooey Jeong

Producers: Zooey Jeong and Nathan Danese

Executive Producer: Monica Hoenig

Director of Photography: Samuel Green

Production Design & Costume: Alexa Jeong

Main Editors: Alexa Jeong and Samuel Green

Editing Assistants: Zooey Jeong, Natalie Yerelekian, Nathan Danese

Lighting and Sound Design: Clayton Collins

Script Supervisors: Nathan Danese & Daphne Huffman

• “Period” by Film III Writer and Director Daphne Huffman’ 26. “Period” Crew:

Writer & Director: Daphne Huffman

Director of Photography: Derek Kessler

Producer: Daphne Huffman , Wolfie Bikel 

Assistant Directors: Wolfie Bikel, Noah De Fanti, Max Zou

Editors: Derek Kessler, Mac Ladin, Daphne Huffman

Sound: Mac Ladin, Grant Coelen, Rachel Huang, Prerit Gore

Lighting: Andrew Neville

Key Cast: Riley Brown

• “Chronicles of Peter and Sean” Documentary, Director Sam Green’ 25

• “Sticks and Stones” by Film III, Director Noah Defanti.’ 26. Crew:

Director: Noah Defanti

Director of Photography: Derek Kessler

Assistant Camera: Charlie Grey

Assistant Director: Wolfie Bikel

Sound and Grip: Rachel Huang

Viewpoint School has built a strong relationship with the Calabasas Film Festival since it was established. The festival is a Calabasas City-sponsored event that provides the community an opportunity to connect. We were honored to be asked by founders and co-founders in 2014 to submit student films to the very first Calabasas Film Festival, and we have not missed a year since, proudly representing Viewpoint. Our students look forward to the festival every year as it is the first of their festival circuit that kicks off the school year with a great community-building event.