Young creatives are the filmmakers, screenwriters, composers, choreographers of tomorrow. Their vision of the world comes from 21st Century eyes, minds and hearts. Let's celebrate the last day of KIDS FIRST!'s 30th Anniversary by celebrating our young filmmakers.
Juror comments: Things To Remember is a short student film that details the inner thoughts of a teenage boy who finds a lost diary with the inner thoughts of girl his same age. I love what is written in the diary and the appreciation the boy shows for her poems and her vulnerability. Micah Josiah Seidel, the sixteen-year-old director, producer, actor and writer has created an alluring script for his friend, and the key actor, Adrian Shilling, to portray.
When a lonely young man finds a diary on the ground while walking around a lake, he tries to find its owner. He tries to avoid reading the diary’s contents so as not to invade someone’s privacy, but as hours turn to days in search of its owner, Adrian starts to read the pages and tells his friend (Micah) how wonderful the writing is. Micah pushes back, dismissing the find, instead wanting his pal to join him and his girlfriend to the spring dance. Adrian refuses, but begins to find relief from his loneliness with the hope that he will someday meet the writer, and make his own, new special friend. Micah’s writing himself into the action as the best-friend and antagonist is clever. He is kind and inclusive until he isn’t.
This film is full of lovely nature shots, although some are hand held and shaky. I especially like the “love doves” that are used symbolically to represent relationships. Both actors play their roles with authenticity. Adrian responds to the wonderful narrative of the diary, spending most of his precious screen time making facial expressions - smiling, guiltily looking around to make sure no one is watching him, and wondering, simply wondering about his new find, which is adorable. The sound track is 100% wild track without music. It reinforces the feelings of aloneness that Adrian feels.
The message of this film invites the audience to think about how important it is to step up to the moment, to grab our opportunities, to make connections when offered, even though we may feel inadequate or shy. This coming-of-age story is not just for teens.
I give Things to Remember 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommended it for ages 11 to 16, plus adults. By Nancy K., KIDS FIRST!
- Year2021
- Runtime15:13
- LanguageEnglish
- CountryUnited States
- DirectorMicah Josiah Seidel
- ScreenwriterMicah Josiah Seidel
- ProducerMicah Josiah Seidel
- CastAdrian Schilling, Portia McFadden-DiNicola, Micah Josiah Seidel,
Young creatives are the filmmakers, screenwriters, composers, choreographers of tomorrow. Their vision of the world comes from 21st Century eyes, minds and hearts. Let's celebrate the last day of KIDS FIRST!'s 30th Anniversary by celebrating our young filmmakers.
Juror comments: Things To Remember is a short student film that details the inner thoughts of a teenage boy who finds a lost diary with the inner thoughts of girl his same age. I love what is written in the diary and the appreciation the boy shows for her poems and her vulnerability. Micah Josiah Seidel, the sixteen-year-old director, producer, actor and writer has created an alluring script for his friend, and the key actor, Adrian Shilling, to portray.
When a lonely young man finds a diary on the ground while walking around a lake, he tries to find its owner. He tries to avoid reading the diary’s contents so as not to invade someone’s privacy, but as hours turn to days in search of its owner, Adrian starts to read the pages and tells his friend (Micah) how wonderful the writing is. Micah pushes back, dismissing the find, instead wanting his pal to join him and his girlfriend to the spring dance. Adrian refuses, but begins to find relief from his loneliness with the hope that he will someday meet the writer, and make his own, new special friend. Micah’s writing himself into the action as the best-friend and antagonist is clever. He is kind and inclusive until he isn’t.
This film is full of lovely nature shots, although some are hand held and shaky. I especially like the “love doves” that are used symbolically to represent relationships. Both actors play their roles with authenticity. Adrian responds to the wonderful narrative of the diary, spending most of his precious screen time making facial expressions - smiling, guiltily looking around to make sure no one is watching him, and wondering, simply wondering about his new find, which is adorable. The sound track is 100% wild track without music. It reinforces the feelings of aloneness that Adrian feels.
The message of this film invites the audience to think about how important it is to step up to the moment, to grab our opportunities, to make connections when offered, even though we may feel inadequate or shy. This coming-of-age story is not just for teens.
I give Things to Remember 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommended it for ages 11 to 16, plus adults. By Nancy K., KIDS FIRST!
- Year2021
- Runtime15:13
- LanguageEnglish
- CountryUnited States
- DirectorMicah Josiah Seidel
- ScreenwriterMicah Josiah Seidel
- ProducerMicah Josiah Seidel
- CastAdrian Schilling, Portia McFadden-DiNicola, Micah Josiah Seidel,
