As recently reported in the Pasadena-Star News,

“A new study found that barely half of Los Angeles Unified School District students receive their high school diploma, mirroring a Harvard University study a year ago that alarmed city officials and fueled debate over the district's effectiveness. LAUSD ranks 86th out of the nation's 100 largest school districts in its graduation rate, according to the Manhattan Institute for Policy Research study funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.”

Our second annual festival, No Child Left Behind: High School Dropouts, was held May 17. Its purpose was to give a forum for youth to voice their ideas and opinions on the drop-out crisis within LAUSD. Our community center provided filmmaking instruction, videotape, an editing facility, and equipment when necessary. Participants included 147 students from 15 schools and non-profits from all over Los Angeles County who submitted short films on the topic.

Based on their extensive knowledge of educational issues and film quality, a distinguished panel of festival judges selected winners who delivered the most powerful and influential films. Judges included: Eric Garcetti (Los Angeles Council President); David Tokofsky (Member of LA Board of Education District 5) Robert Mandell; (Dean, AFI Conservancy); Steve Anker (Dean of Film & TV, Cal Arts); Yolie Aguilar (Executive Director, LA County Children’s Planning Council); Monica Gazzo (Educator, Filmmaker); Jango Sircus (Screenwriter); Lisa Marr (Echo Park Film Center); Mario Vasquez (UTLA Area Rep), and Cristi Caitlin (Director Community Affairs, HBO).

The film festival, held at Bresee Community Center, was attended by 200 enthusiastic community supporters and parents. City Council President Garcetti spoke at the event. The top 10 filmmakers were rewarded with high-quality digital camcorders.