Greenwood resident Leo Pfeifer, a senior at Ballard High School, and his collaborator, Coleman Andersen, won the Best Drama award at the All American High School Film Festival in New York City on Oct. 11 for their film “Stolen.”
Pfeifer and Anderson co-produced “Stolen” at Ballard High last fall. Pfeifer plans to study film in college; Coleman is now studying film at New York University.
It was a good night for the Ballard filmmakers. In addition to Best Drama, Stolen was also a Finalist for Best Screenplay and Best Overall Film. Clipped Wings – also by Coleman Andersen and Leo Pfeifer, with Duncan Gowdy – was a Finalist for Best Directing, Best Documentary, and Best Overall Film. The films were judged by a prestigious jury including professionals such as screenwriter Diablo Cody, documentary filmmaker Morgan Spurlock, and actors Kristen Stewart and Dylan McDermott.
Air Pressure (again by Coleman Andersen and Leo Pfeifer, with Josh Vredevoogd) was also an Official Selection of the festival.
Stolen questions the cost of revenge. Clipped Wings tells the story of those most affected by the Boy Scouts of America’s ban on gay members. Air Pressure examines the aftermath of a disaster at the Balloon Animal World Championships. To see the films, visit the Ballard High School Digital Filmmaking Program vimeo site atwww.vimeo.com/bhsfilmprogram . For more information on the program, visit www.bhsvideo.blogspot.com.