On Wednesday April 21, the Upper School Broadcast Media students, along with four Middle School student filmmakers, proved you don’t need to spend money on Netflix or Hulu to be entertained.

Instead, an evening at the Drive-In Film Festival at Springs Cinema gave the rapt audience all the laughter, adventure and drama they needed as budding filmmakers – under the tutelage of directors and film class advisors Joe Conway and James H. Jackson – delivered a night to remember.

“The HIES Drive-In exceeded our expectations in every way; cars in every spot available,” Mr. Jackson said. “As soon as the event was over and the parking lot lights came on, I immediately heard two students say, ‘That was amazing!’ I couldn’t agree more, and we are thrilled for all of the student filmmakers this year.”

There were 21 productions altogether, and the short 7-minutes or less shows gave everything from a mental and physical battle over eating the last doughnut, the adventures of walking to school only to find out it was cancelled, a Mafia “hit,” a three-way battle for power for the key to the city and many, many more. 

Admission was free, and 27 actors, actresses, and directors lit up the audience in entertainment that was “a wrap” in less than two hours. The Drive-In Film Festival also ended with its own version of “The Oscars,” which featured interviews and recaps. Junior Jake Sullivan’s film "No Corners" – took the top prize as the Best Picture of 2021. Other awards included: 

Best Original Screenplay = “No Corners” / Written & Directed by Jake Sullivan

Best Cinematography = “It’s Miller Time” / Written & Directed by Sam Snyder

Best Acting = Lily Bell for “No Corners”

Best Editing = “Sweet Dreams” / Written & Directed by Harmony Chennault 

Best Movie Poster = Caroline House for “Twisted Fate”

Attendees also enjoyed a performance by the Upper School Band Strawberry Hill. 

Watch and enjoy all the films and the complete show from the Drive-In Film Festival at https://vimeo.com/540303577

- Dunn Neugebauer