Georgia has some young filmmakers on the rise! This year, 43 teams made up of 291 K-12 students entered the Georgia Movie Academy video production and digital storytelling annual competition. The awards program was held on March 17 at the historic Rylander Theatre in Americus, Ga.

Sponsored by the Educational Technology Centers in the state of Georgia, this project-based learning opportunity allows students to work in teams to produce a standards-based, three-minute video around a certain theme. This year’s theme was COLLABORATION. Teachers served as coaches and the competition was open to teams of 3-8 students. A winning team was selected in each of the four categories: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12.

In order to be selected as Best Picture, all elements in the movie had to bring a powerful emotional impact that communicated the message of the movie and demonstrated student mastery of the academic standards. The movie had to leave a lasting impression and demonstrate thinking skills and content understanding. All movies were rated using a rubric with the following criteria: photography/videography, lighting, audio/sound, editing/enhancements, content/story, creativity/style, digital citizenship, standards, and length of movie.

“The students gain skills in creative thinking, collaborating, and team-building as they work on their movie project,” says Bunny Harris, Educational Technology Center Director at Chattahoochee-Flint RESA, “Through storyboarding and scripting, they get writing practice. Those that act in the movies practice their oral speaking skills, and the students who do the editing pick up computer and technical skills.”

The participating teams had to choose one or more of the primary academic standards developed during the video production phase. They had to incorporate Georgia Performance Standards (GPS), Common Core GPS, or national standards in the content areas (NCTM, ISTE.NETS, or other content area standards) into the video project and the standards had to be displayed at the end of the video production.

Here are the winners of Best Picture GMA 2016 by division:
K-2 - The Nancy Harts

School: LK Moss Elementary, Marion County
Coaches: Shelee McCorkle and Chansie Hobbs
Team Members: Shae Scott, Ellie Addison, Addie Underwood, Baileigh Barrentine, Megan Pollock

3-5 - Historical Collaborations Through Time

School: Hannan Magnet Academy, Muscogee County
Coaches: Shannon Hustick & James Maye
Team Members: Jayden Woods, Charlie Evans, Sarah Reddish, Michael Marola, Aaliyah Cooper, Jalen Turner

6-8 - Locked in the Library

School: Taylor County Upper Elementary
Coach: Laura Martin
Team Members: Anna Walker, Christian Cobb, Bryce Geen, Mackenzie Eriksen, Cameron Talton, Rett Harris, Cole Gibson

9-12 - Just a Little Collaboration

School: Taylor County High School
Coaches: Stacy Jarrell & Lisa Carr
Team Members: Carter Albritton, Connor Tharpe, Addie Guinn, Kyli Bone, Carley Swearingen, Riley Swearingen, Caitlyn Jarrell

You can see all the movies and pictures at www.georgiamovieacademy.org. Click on the movies tab or the photos tab.

The winning teams will get a chance to tour our GPB Headquarters and get some behind-the-scenes production tips from our staff on April 26.