Award-winning Houston film director Shawn Welling and actor-dog Ranger leadroster of media experts to host student/teacher workshops
With over 1600 entries from 93 countries, the inaugural BAM! Brazosport Arts in Media Festival will showcase animation and short films created by high school and university students from across the globe. This innovative digital media event will take place at several venues in the Brazosport area on the Texas Gulf coast from September 27-29.“Not only will BAM! be incredibly entertaining for the general public, the festival will be a wonderful educational opportunity for student to develop digital media skills and showcase their hard work in front of a live audience,” says organizer Chris Duncan.
Duncan, a local attorney, is the founder of ARS ARCA, a 501(c)(3) qualified non-profit organization that develops unique projects promoting Science,Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM) for students and communities. Festival planners are collaborating with area schools, businesses and organizations wanting to discover digital talents and develop teachers and students.
On Saturday, September 28, the festival will offer continuous showings of festival entries and technical workshops including a Master Class led by Houston-based film director Shawn Welling https://www.wellingfilms.com/shawn and his movie-trained dog, Ranger, who has starred in 15 films garnering over 80 IMDb festival awards. Welling has directed seven feature films, directing famed actors from Lee Majors (Six Million Dollar Man) Michael Bien (Terminator ) and pop sensation “Les Twins.”Welling is also known for narrative and documentary short films and the K9 film sensation “If I Could Talk ,”with over 80 million views, and the Dance TV series AXI: Avengers of eXtreme Illusions. “Ranger and I will be leading a one-hour session called ‘Cut to the Dog’,” Welling shares, “and I want all participants to leave feeling empowered to make a great movie by telling a great story.” Welling, who will serve as the event emcee, adds, “These are beautiful venues to showcase the work of many talented young people and I am sure this festival will inspire hundreds more to stretch their imaginations.”
Bam! has extended the submission deadline– for Texas students only –through the end of July.“I want to provide a voice, a stage and special recognition for the next generation of media-makers while bridging them to the real world application of their expanding digital skills,” notes Duncan.
“The BAM! Film Festival will give students a unique opportunity to become owners in their education,” says Brazosport ISD Digital Learning Coordinator Lindsey Blackstock.“Students can meet other students that have similar interests, showcase their talents and abilities to professionals in attendance, giving them opportunities to learn, grow and be appreciated. At the same time, the festival helps educators stay on top of current trends in discussion with other educators and professionals.”
Organizers will expand the festival’s scale and reach with a follow-up festival in April 2020.“We want to broaden the event to give students a way to network with industry professionals, and academic leaders so they learn about university programs,” he explains, “while also serving as a resource to help teachers stay on the cutting edge of technology.”
A $10 day pass provides event access from 10am- 5:30pm on Saturday,September 28 at both the Brazosport Center for the Arts & Sciences (400 College Blvd) and The Clarion Performance Center at Brazosport College (500 College Blvd, Lake Jackson, TX. 77566) For an additional $25, attendees can experience the awards presentation and screenings with finalists Saturday from 6:30pm-10:30pm at The Clarion Performance Center. The $100 VIP pass includes a Friday night kickoff party at the boathouse in Woodshore’s Calvit-Eagle Lake Park, the festival and awards event Saturday, and a Sunday wrap party at the Bridge Harbor Yacht Club and Ocean Village Hotel from 10am-4pm in Surfside Beach.
Information and tickets: https://bam-festival.org
