Film fest to roll out red carpet

By Shawn Strannigan

Sisters High School will literally roll out the red carpet on February 7, hosting the first annual Outlaw Film Festival.

This coat and tie event event will offer valet parking, a real movie marquee, it's own box office and, of course, free popcorn.

"Now is the time for students to be working on their original films and submitting their entries," said Paul Head, who came up with the idea of the film festival. "We'll be giving awards for Best Picture, Best Actor and Actress, Best Directing, Best Film Editing, Best Sound Effects, Best Costume Design, and many other categories. There will be 17 different awards."

Head has high hopes for the event.

"My dream is for this to get bigger and better every year, with films becoming increasingly professional," he said. "Eventually, I hope this will be a prestigious and highly competitive event. I'm even working on getting some film experts from Hollywood to come and give us pointers."

Not surprisingly, Paul plans on directing films when he's finished his education, which will probably be either in New York, or southern California.

"Anyone who is, or has been, a student at Sisters High can submit a film," explained Head. "The entries must be anywhere from 30 seconds up to one hour in length. They can be dramas, comedy, commercials, documentaries --we are open to about anything. The subject matter must be PG-13, and be school appropriate. The entry fee for all films is $5."

All entries must be submitted by February 1.

Head hopes to have a wide panel of drama teachers and experts to judge the films. The judges will then nominate four films for each of the award categories. Winners will be announced the night of the event.

The Oscar-like gala will take place at 7 p.m. in the high school cafetorium. Admission is $5.

Will Hansen and Amber Taylor have been working closely with Head on the festival. Hansen has been making posters and finding sponsors, while Taylor is in charge of decorating.

For more information about the Outlaw Film Festival, visit their website, where film entry forms can be down loaded: http://www.geocities.com/outlawfilmfestival.

E-mail Paul Head at [email protected] call 595-1027.