Hatboro-Horsham Filmmakers Compete for 'Greenies'

Four years. More than 40 awards. 

That's a pretty good average for Dave Thomas, Hatboro-Horsham High School's TV/film production, broadcast journalism teacher and Hatboro-Horsham TV advisor.

Since the high school's film program's inception four years ago, under Thomas' leadership, his students have won 20 awards at the Greenfield Youth Film Festival and 21 awards at the Lighthouse International Film Festival. 

Thomas and 27 of his film students will once again compete against 19 other high schools for their share of trophies in the sixth annual Greenfield Youth Film Festival. Hatboro-Horsham films will represent all four categories: documentary, fictional narrative, music video and experimental, Thomas has said.

The year-end Academy Awards style gala to honor winning high school filmmakers with "Greenies" is slated for Thursday at 7 p.m. at Upper Dublin High School's performing arts center. The red carpet gala showcases the talents of enterprising filmmakers and awards cash, trophies and other film-related prizes.

"We continue to be amazed every year by their never-ending creativity and drive to express themselves and make their voices heard through the art of film," Thomas said. "This year is no different."

The Greenfield Youth Film Festival started in the summer of 2008 with five participating schools and has since grown to include 20 high schools.

"It became clear that many high school students were making films and wanting others to see them," according to the Greenfield Web site. "The focus is to recognize those students, keep them interested and involved, and to make their voices heard."

Following Greenfield, Thomas said Hatboro-Horsham students will compete in the Lighthouse International Film Festival in Long Beach Island, N.J. June 6-9. 

"The jury that selects the winners for these contests are based in Hollywood, New York, London and other major cities across the globe," Thomas said.