Barbara A. Domanchuk said she has been interested in working with young people since college. About eight years ago, she wrote a grant explaining her vision of bringing filmmaking into local schools and giving youths the chance to learn technology in a fun way while expressing themselves.

Since then, she’s taught at many local schools and helped students create their own short films. Domanchuk said she felt the films the students produced were great and needed to be showcased, so she started the Big Screen Showcase for young media-makers in the community. This year, it had so many entries that it had to have a selection process.

From the 2007 Big Screen Showcase, four films were selected, out of hundreds, to be in the Chicago International Film Festival youth division.

The Big Screen Showcase is a digital film festival to showcase films produced by 8-22-year-olds. Domanchuk said the films are not just made by kids for kids; “They are really sophisticated productions by youth about ideas in society that are important to everyone.”

Domanchuk said the films will touch someone from any age group because they are well-produced.

Nick Roney is one of the 2008 winners for his film “Bubbles.” Roney described his film as having a Woody Allen feel. “It was kind of about selfishness.”

Roney has been making movies since he was 10 years old and has recently switched from digital to analog film, which is more expensive.

“I didn’t think I was gonna win. It was so great being around all these people making movies. They had these little chocolate Oscars, which I ate really quick.”

Roney said he particularly liked the atmosphere of the Big Screen Showcase.

“It’s really cool that Barbara is doing that, and allowing people to feel like they are taken seriously.”

2008 Big Screen Showcase Winners List

Senior Division Animation, Arcata High School HROP
Wesley Wright for “Particle Man”

Senior Division Music Video
Anna Dobos of Hilo High School for “Green Planet”

Junior Division Mystery/Comedy, Independent Producer
Jules Coronado for “Did Someone Say Murder?”

Senior Division Drama, North Coast Preparatory and Performing Arts School & CSSSA project
Nick Roney for “Bubble”

Senior Division Documentary Team Fortuna Union High School
Dara Katzdorn, Matalie Church Nyberg and Alex Church for the Bracero Program

Senior Division Commercial and PSA
Alyssia Orita – Martinez for “Natural Highs”

Junior Division Animation
Ultra Tuity Fruity Productions of Arcata, Nathan Vanella, Dylan Vanella for “Crazy Monster Riot”

Junior Division Experimental
Jule Coronado for “Chinlings”

Senior Division Experimental
Anna Dobos for “Phone Calls”

Senior Division Experimental
Eureka High School, Camille Carpenter for “Hungry Horse”

Senior Division Comedy
Eureka High School, Tyson Brown for “Dear Journal”

To find out more about participating in the Big Screen Showcase and The Young Media Makers, go to www.TheYoungMediaMakers.org.