Schools
Anne Arundel County Student ‘Winns’ Accolades For Short Films
Severna Park's own Nathan Winn netted two wins at college film festivals for his debut short film, "Gone."
Nathan Winn, a senior at Archbishop Spalding High School, is gaining attention as a promising student filmmaker after writing, directing and producing two award-winning silent films, according to the Severna Park Voice. His debut short, “Gone,” earned Best Cinematography at Villanova University’s Villys Film Festival and Best Sound at Saint Joseph’s University’s festival in 2024. Shot in Davidsonville, the eerie thriller follows a girl’s desperate attempt to rescue her dog from shadowy figures. Nathan’s follow-up film, “What Did I DO?,” was released that June and continues his signature use of mood lighting and suspenseful storytelling.
Nathan’s passion for film began with writing reviews and creative articles for Davidsonville Living during the COVID-19 pandemic. That interest soon expanded into filmmaking after attending Filmsters Academy in Annapolis, where instructors recognized his natural talent for collaboration and visual storytelling. With no professional gear, he leaned on lighting, camera movement and visual tension to build his narratives—earning praise from both industry mentors and Archbishop Spalding faculty.
Beyond filmmaking, Nathan previously authored and illustrated a children’s book, “Forgetting Flip Flops,” to raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. He also recently served as a videographer at the Colombian Festival in Washington, D.C., and remains active in Archbishop Spalding’s media program, Spalding AM. Though he doesn’t yet own a camera, Nathan continues submitting his films to festivals through FilmFreeway while touring colleges and expanding his network. His creativity, skill and perseverance serve as inspiration for aspiring young filmmakers in Anne Arundel County and beyond. Read more about Nathan's accomplishments here.
The future is certainly looking bright in Anne Arundel! If you know another Star Student making an impact, nominate them today to be featured on Patch!
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