The State UIL Young Filmmakers Festival finals were held March 3 at The Paramount Theatre in Austin. Salado High School was represented in the Digital Animation and Documentary categories.

The Adventuring Party, a 2D animation by Jacob Reeder placed second in the State. The story takes place in a tiny commonwealth on the fringe of a global war, shattered by the loss of its beloved heir. The forlorn king solicits the assistance of the court-wizard Jermicus, to gather a party of able citizens to rescue her in the place of the missing knights. The film can be viewed online at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRMDdD0RvuI.

Starting Over, a documentary by directors Natalie Bazar and Gema Vitolas with cinematography by Kaydee Free, Kelsey Marquis and Jason Armitage placed sixth in the State.

Starting Over is a documentary film directed by Natalie Bazar and Gema Vitolas. The film documents how a volunteer firefighter tragically burned in a house fire begins a new chapter in his life. Joe Yeakley’s story is an inspiration to all. It can be viewed online at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCDNAYuY6nk.

Making Plans was the second SHS Film Squad to make the state semi-finals in the documentary category this year.  It is a documentary directed by Kaydee Free and Kelsey Marquis. The film is about Kensley Free and her struggle with Short Bowel Syndrome. Making Plans documents how Kensley and her family overcame the obstacles that come with terminal illness.

This marks the third year for the UIL Young Filmmakers Festival. Sponsors for the film-making program at Salado High School are Tim Cook and Dixie McCollough.

Salado won the inaugural Young Filmmakers contest with “The Heroes at Home: The Untold Story.”

In 2015, the SHS FilmAbuwe Ha Hirwa: Gifts from Rwanda was a State Finalist.