Finding their voice: 79 filmmakers celebrated at the 15th annual Sacred Heart Film Festival

More than 400 guests filled the de Csepel Theatre on Thursday, April 11 for the 15th Annual Sacred Heart Film Festival to watch a variety of student-produced films. Although it was rainy and stormy outside, 79 Upper School filmmakers dazzled on the red carpet and the big screen.

Whether communicating messages through PSAs, telling inspiring stories through documentaries, showcasing their editing techniques with their experimentals, or creating a range of emotions through storytelling with creative films, all student-filmmakers impressed the audience and judges.

The audience was wowed by the work of the three student hosts, Cait Haggerty '24, Jane Murphy '24 and Kelsey Wilkens '24. They brought joy to the night with a series of humorous skits based upon the Saturday Night Live theme. 

Judges included Yvette M. Miley, Executive Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for NBCUniversal News Group, Odessa Rae, Producer of NAVALNY, Christina DeConcini '18, British Film Institute Academy Young Programmer, and Peter Marshall, Managing Principal, Media Insurance Services at EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants.

Ms. Miley was the Public Service Announcement judge and commended all of the participants in the Sacred Heart Film Festival. 

Ms. Miley said, "Every film had a message. Every edit was purposeful. Every use of the video and the camera worked perfectly. It's hard to get such a strong message out in such a short amount of time using a PSA, but you each did it. Congratulations on work well done!"

Christina DeConcini '18 spent four years in the Filmmaking program at Sacred Heart before receiving a B.A. in Cinema Studies at NYU Tisch School of the Arts. She shared how Sacred Heart has shaped her journey as a filmmaker and expressed excitement about the future of the program.

"There was so much talent and creativity on display, and there is such a voice in each film. I want to urge you to continue to make films and protect that voice and develop it because it really is needed and what makes you special as filmmakers," Ms. DeConcini said. 

Congratulations to our 79 talented young filmmakers who demonstrated artistry and integrity in their work. A special congratulations to the following filmmakers who won awards at the festival:

PSA
1st place, Lila Caruso, “Dual Reality”
2nd place, Mackenna Kelly, Emily Sedgwick, & Grace Villar, “Give Kids a Chance”
Audience Award, Laurie Starke, “Just One Click”

Documentary
1st place, Jane Murphy & Emily Sedgwick, “Leading with Love”
2nd place, Kate Gillespie, “What the Mind Can’t Forget”
Audience Award, Daphne Fallon, “Spreading Wings”

Experimental
1st place, Clare Murray & Amy Walsh, “Sillage”
2nd place, Lila Caruso, “If My Body Could Speak”
Audience Award, Olivia Antenucci, “Looking Up”

Creative
1st place, Ellie Furman & Lexi Parsons, “Whatever It Takes”
2nd place, Bridget McGrath & Wowie Walker, “Backstabber”
Audience Award, Lila Caruso, “A Documentary”

Please go to Smugmug to enjoy photos and Youtube to see videos of this special night.