Senior Lara Sullivan has a wonderfully eclectic mix of artistic vision, entrepreneurial spirit and sense of service. Proceeds from the HIES Film Festival she spearheaded last year resulted in a $600 donation to the schools in Haiti with which HIES has relationships. She's hoping to increase that total with this year's proceeds.

The 2nd annual film festival is scheduled for Wednesday, March 18 at 7:00 p.m. in the Fine Arts Building. Admission is just $5 and all are welcome to attend.

Lara came up with the idea after her mother attended the Sundance Film Festival in Utah a couple of years ago. "She told me how they showed filmmakers whose work isn't always recognized and helped different causes with the proceeds. It seemed like something that would work at HI, too. There were some kids in my class who I knew were making films, and I figured maybe I could raise some money for the schools I'd visited on our trip to Haiti," she says. "The schools really need a lot of work – and therefore money. But I didn't want to just do another carwash or something – so we did the festival and it worked out great."

This year's festival will include five short films by HIES students: 1) Find Me a Tenor by Neil Kimball, Chris Mann, Christian Rasmussen, Alex Fujimoto and Alex Herzog. 2) Johnny, "Eliza", by Neil Kimball, Jack Woodyard, John Aldridge and Courtney Kissack. 3) Priest Documentary by Kelly Moore, Alfie Farris and Matt Sprinkle. 4) Death by Anticipation by William Ward. 5) Continuity Errors by Wood Alter and Stephen Burns.

Independent filmmaker Savvy Lorestani will give an introductory address, and student judges will vote and award prizes. Your attendance will not only be appreciated by the students whose work you'll view, but also by quite a few in Haiti.

So give yourself a unique night out at the movies - and help to support this worthy cause.