HARLEM, Mont. (NMB) – A Harlem High School student film is set to receive the Heart Award at the 43rd Portland International Film Festival.
The Harlem High School student film titled ‘Looking Forward from Yesterday,’ produced by Milk River Productions alongside MAPS Media Institute, is one of seven student films chosen to premiere at the festival. The film was also chosen to premiere at the 2020 Big Sky Documentary Film Festival in Missoula.
Harlem High School teacher Craig Todd said the production process was only five days but provided the students a learning experience they will never forget.
“The first morning they just brain-stormed of okay who do we want to interview and what are some things we want to include… And so the kids broke up into groups and they went out and started filming. Some of them never even used a video camera before.”
The documentary is primarily centered on Fort Belknap, but Todd says it’s a film for everyone.
“It applies to really all reservations and all nationalities. So it’s really about keeping culture alive within the family and within the community.”
The 10 minute film will be shown and awarded on Saturday, March 14 at the Northwest Film Center in Portland, Oregon in front of film industry professionals from all over the world. Students and faculty alike are excited to celebrate this accomplishment.
Information on the film and on fundraising to help the students with travel expenses can be found on their Facebook page or www.harlemunitedmt.com.
