The Patchogue Arts Council PEACE Project is proud to announce its inaugural Film Festival, taking place on Thursday, September 26, from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM at the Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts, 71 East Main Street, Patchogue, NY. This exciting event will highlight the transformative power of film to amplify diverse student voices, inspire social change, and celebrate the innovative partnerships between artists, filmmakers, educators, and students. Doors will open at 6:00 PM and screenings will begin at 7:00 PM.
The festival will feature five powerful short films, each documenting a unique collaboration between artists, teachers, and high school students. These partnerships, formed through participation in the PEACE Project, provided students with a rare opportunity to engage in the filmmaking process, using their art to explore and express critical issues affecting their lives and communities.
This event is hosted in partnership with the Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts, with support from the US Department of Education. Featured films include:
OUT OF THE DARKNESS (11:11)
Educator: ALEXA TOYAS ENL
Other Participating Staff:
Maira Zavala, Bilingual SW
Keegan Bishop, Art Teacher
Diane Fox, Director of Bilingual and Alternative Education
Michael T. Carlson, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction
Teaching Artists: KIMBERLY ZAMBRANO, Visual Arts and MIROSLAVA GONZALEZ Documentary Film
Students Grades 9-12 at Hampton Bays High School
KINETIC CANVAS (10:27)
Educator: MICHAEL HERSHKOWITZ, Director of Fine and Performing Arts
Cultural Partner(s): PAOLO BARTOLANI & ALINA WILCZYNSKI – Music Interpretation through Light/Color/Movement
Students Grades 9-12 at Islip High School
WHAT IS HOME? (3:30)
Educator: BONNIE BREDES – Librarian
Other Participating Staff: James Spinaris – Technology Teacher
Teaching Artist: HOLLY HUNT – Photography/Multimedia
Students Grades 9-12 at Center Moriches High School
STORYTELLING THROUGH FILM (13:18)
Educator: BETSY KENNEDY
Teaching Artist: CATHERINE OBERG
Students Grades 10-12 at Brentwood High School
Additionally, the event will showcase the Special Education PEACE Project video, a student documentary titled STAND TALL, created through the Eastern Suffolk BOCES PEACE Grant.
Doors will open at 6:00 PM, with a red carpet event to celebrate the students, educators, teaching artists, film crews, and special guests who contributed to these impactful films.
All are invited to attend and show their support for this groundbreaking initiative. The PEACE Project is a 5-year project supported 100% by federal funds awarded through a highly competitive grant with the US Department of Education (USDOE). Patchogue Arts Council (PAC) is proud to continue the work and rigorous research that was developed with prior USDOE funding to Eastern Suffolk Board of Cooperative Educational Services (ESBOCES).
This is a unique opportunity to witness the powerful impact of collaborative art education and to support the next generation of filmmakers and social changemakers.