By Steve Schulwitz | The Alpena News
ALPENA – Six teams made up of students from Rogers City High School and Stockbridge High School took part in the first Thunder Bay International Film Festival’s Student Film Competition and their film presentations Sunday. The films followed the theme “Water Is” and were based on how water impacts lives and how students use it for recreation and learning.
Stockbridge won first place with a film titled “Aquanaut” which shared the students adventure in becoming aquanauts, it required training and staying in a SeaLab for 24 hours. It featured time-lapse video, as well as underwater photography, and testimony about the experience. The film team was made up of Jake Chapman, 11th grade, William Nichols, 11th grade and Kelly Cool who is in the 10th grade.
Chapman said he enjoys entering the films he help direct and also likes seeing what the students from other schools have. He said he is happy to win first place.
“Anytime you can have something you worked hard on get acknowledgment for it feels good,” Chapman said. “I think everyone did a great job and I think the kids from Rogers City did a good job of showcasing what water means to them, as well as the community in which they live. I have had a great time doing this.”
A pair of Rogers City teams earned awards Sunday. A team made up of seniors Ally Streich, Sarah Meredith and Megan Brege placed second with its movie titled “Water is Beautiful”. The film showed the impact water has on the lives of people, animals, industry and business, as well as its beauty and force. The film earned the viewer’s choice award, which was determined by people watching the screening.