ViewFinders Youth Jury

The ViewFinders Youth Jury is a sweet opportunity to explore the wonderful world of film from, say, Roger Ebert's point of view!

The Youth Jury, designed for youth 12 to 16 years old, sweeps a select few into the spotlight as official arbiters of the ViewFinders Film Festival lineup. They're treated like VIPs, presenting their Top Picks to all the ViewFinder fans at the Closing Gala.

And if that's not enough, the illustrious Ron Foley MacDonald--esteemed Senior Programmer at the Atlantic Film Festival--preps the jurors with an intensive crash course in film critique. 

INTRODUCING OUR 2012 YOUTH JURY
 
MICCI is a 13-year-old movie buff, who feels more like she’s 30. Hailing from Gorsebrook Junior High, Micci is excited to critique and watch all kinds of films. Her all-time favourite flick is The Outsiders. If she were a movie character, she fancies herself a Ginny Weasley-type. And not really a fan of sci-fi, you might still catch Micci watching The Matrix. But only if she’s eating popcorn and M&M’s at the same time.
 
SAM is our Cornwallis Junior High connection. He’s in the eighth grade, but insists he’s only three-years-old. So he’s a genius. This past year, Sam was blown away by Steven Spielberg’s Tintin. It's no surprise then that his favourite film genre is animation. And if Sam were a movie character, he’d be Legolas from Lord of Rings. He’s that awesome.

JACK is a 12-year-old Bedford Junior High student with a 30-year-old’s taste in movies. He loves Bridesmaids. And thinks Precious is the best movie character of all time. Even his taste for movie treats is mature. With a good old-fashioned comedy and a frozen yogurt, Jack’s all set. But put an action flick in front of him, he’ll wrinkle his nose with disdain. 

PICKS FROM 2011

BEST SHORT FILM: 9andahalf's Goodbye (Neuneinhalbs Abschied), Halina Dyrschka, Germany, 2010, 14 minutes

BEST ANIMATED FILM: Rose & Violet, Luc Otter, Claude Grosch, Canada, 2011, 26 minutes

BEST FEATURED FILM: The First Grader, Justin Chadwick, UK/Kenya, 2010, 98 minutes

BEST DOCUMENTARTY FILM: Dreamland (Draumalandið), Þorfinnur Guðnason, Andri Snær Magnasson, Iceland, 2010, 90 minutes