Santa Fe Standard

A short film created by sixth-grade students from Amy Biehl Community School has garnered attention at the 3rd Annual Film Prize Junior New Mexico festival held on April 5th-6th at the Albuquerque Convention Center. The film, crafted in collaboration with art teacher Kim-Jimi Leonard and film teacher Dr. Lisa Spencer, aimed to embody the ethos of social justice and the school's namesake, Amy Biehl.

According to Cristina Gonzalez, SFPS fine arts coordinator, the students were tasked with a unique project that involved delving into the history of the U.S. flag and subsequently designing their own flags to represent themselves, their environment, and their community, with the overarching goal of creating symbols of peace. Gonzalez highlighted that the entire process was meticulously documented through both a book and a film.

Gonzalez expressed gratitude towards the Amy Biehl Community School team, led by Principal Felicia Torres, for their unwavering support throughout the film's creation. She extended special thanks to the sponsors - ArtSmart, Film Prize Junior New Mexico, and MESA Foundation - whose contributions were integral to bringing the project to fruition.

The Film Prize Junior New Mexico festival, as detailed by The Taos News, showcased an impressive array of 167 short films produced by students ranging from 5th to 12th grade, representing diverse communities across 23 counties in New Mexico. The event, part of a year-long film education and festival initiative sponsored by the Prize Foundation, featured screenings on multiple screens, alongside engaging panel discussions, red carpet interviews, and equipment demonstrations.

As a testament to the film's impact, a screening of the students' creation from Amy Biehl Community School is slated for later this spring at Violet Crown Cinema, further solidifying its recognition within the film community.