GlenOak High to Host 5 Minute Film Festival, Reel Awards

Films have the power to educate, inspire, make us laugh or make us cry — and in this case, bring local high school students, local colleges, teachers, business owners and members of  the community together for one memorable evening.

Steve Pustay, the video production teacher at GlenOak High School, has always had a love for film and wanted an event that would allow students to creatively express themselves to the public.

"I think it's important for our community to see our students take the risk of having the public examine their dreams and imaginations," Pustay said. "I thought it would be fun to give students in the area a chance to showcase their work and test their ideas about making films in front of a public audience."

This will be the second year for GlenOak's five-minute film festival, "Reel Awards."

But this is not your typical high school event. It's a red carpet event.

The film crews, actors and special guests will walk down the red carpet and be interviewed by the "paparazzi," 15 photography students at GlenOak High School.

The film nominees will be judged in six different categories: script and screenplay, editing, acting, soundtrack, cinematography, and intangible (the overall quality of the film).

It's important that the judges keep in mind that many of the students are also using older versions of video production technology, Pustay said.

Lee and Tammy Spencer of North Canton's  have the opportunity to be a part of the panel of judges.

Tammy likes the fact the film fest is open to all high schools and colleges and believes this can encourage community involvement.

"I feel the varying high schools and colleges could learn from one another by seeing what each group has created," she said. "Also, many local businesses I spoke with were excited by this project and several did not realize that the school systems offered these course studies."

"The five-minute film festival in a way is educating the community as to what our local schools have to offer," Tammy said.

Lee believes it's events such as this that can inspire greatness.

"Sometimes it only takes one small event or one special person to change one's life," he said. "I am sure this competition will be just that thing for some of the students."

Another judge, Kevin Rapp, art director and lead editor for StoneKap Productions, believes this experience will help students understand all the hard work that goes into making a truly great film.

"They're learning how to communicate their ideas visually, which is an extremely complex concept," Rapp said. "There are working professionals making big-budget movies that fail at this kind of visual communication, so I think it's wonderful to see high school students challenging themselves artistically at this level."

The judging panel also will consist of people who are not working in the field of  photography and visual communications.

Denise Evans, a Realtor for , wanted to be on the panel because her son is interested in participating in the Video Production Program at GlenOak  next year. She brings a different perspective to the judging panel.

"I hope that the students look at their projects from the audience's point of view, because in the real world, that is going to be their key to success."

Event Information

Who: High schools submitting films for this year’s contest include : Alliance, Canton South, GlenOak, Hoover, Jackson, Lake, Marlington and Timken.  Colleges submitting films include: Kent State University, , Malone, and

What: The GlenOak 5 Minute Film Festival and Reel Awards

When: Friday. Red carpet festivities begin at 6:30 p.m. and an army of paparazzi will be on hand to shoot the film crews, actors and special guests. Swag bags will be given to the first 250 guests to arrive. Many area businesses donated door prizes, which will be awarded by drawing during the program.

Pricing: Admission is $2 and includes free popcorn, a drink, 16 nominated films and all festival activities. You may purchase tickets at the door.

Where: Abbey Foltz Stage, GlenOak Theater, GlenOak High School, 1801 Schneider St. NE, Canton

Fun Film Fest Information: The high school and college students will compete in different categories.

The winners of Best High School Film will be awarded a Huwaei Video by Best Buy.

The team that wins Best College Film will be awarded $50 gift certificates donated by Steve Pustay's business, Horizon Video.