CAFTA’S YOUNG FILMMAKERS CELEBRATE WITH RED CARPET GALA HOSTED BY AMERICA’S TOP LIFESTYLE EXPERT MAR JENNINGS
Torrington, CT. Saturday, October 25, at Connecticut Academy For The Arts (CAFTA), the parents of eleven middle school and high school student filmmakers are celebrating with a Red Carpet Gala and private screening for their short narrative film, “The Ripple Effect”. The evening will bring an air of Hollywood as Emmy-nominated TV personality and America’s Top Lifestyle Expert Mar Jennings will be Master of Ceremonies for the event.
Mr. Jennings has been featured on HGTV, The Today Show, QVC, and in The New York Times. He is the author of the best selling Life on Mar’s: A Four Season Garden, a nationally acclaimed gardening book, and his newest design book, Life on Mar’s: Creating Casual Luxury. He can be seen Mondays on NBC 4 Connecticut News during the 11am hour. Mar has been named as the home and garden expert for Celebrations.com, and has teamed up with 1-800-FLOWERS.com. A modern-day renaissance man, he has also successfully expanded his Casual Luxury lifestyle expertise to the wedding industry. Based in Westport, Connecticut, Mar is also President and CCO (Chief Creative Officer) of S&J Multimedia LLC, a multimedia and design company. In addition to the above, he is currently in pre-production on several television programs.
Mr. Jennings is impressed by the hard work and dedication of CAFTA and their students who came together to create such a positive and potentially life-changing film project.
Teresa Sullivan, Executive Director and Co-Founder of CAFTA is very enthused about the students’ work. She adds, “While working on their film, these students grew in so many ways. They had the opportunity to experience real life lessons in business, teamwork, and creativity. The result is a very powerful message that really packs a punch! This was a wonderful way to open a dialogue in teamwork and help students develop their creativity, increase their self esteem and bring out their own unique talents and voices.” Regarding the importance of developing creativity, Mr. Jennings adds, “Creativity is the foundation of any successful business. It is a skill set we can either embrace and nurture or deny and ignore. Our world is a better place when we encourage children to tap into their amazing creative talents sooner rather than later. It’s great that these kids are getting the opportunity to learn this so young!”
The young CAFTA filmmakers range in age from 11-16. Their film has already been entered in several important Film Festivals including Sundance and New York City Film Festivals. “The Ripple Effect”, was co-written, acted, filmed and edited by CAFTA students which include: Leslie Tapia-Bernal, 15; Kimmy Arcelaschi, 15; Marisia Newcomb, 15; Tegan Williams, 15; (all attend Oliver Wolcott Technical School); Michael Gelbar, 16, who attends CJR; Corina Wallenta, 15, Exploration High School in Winsted; Ryan Rivera, 13, Torrington Middle School; Abigale Palmer, 11, Jordy M. JohnsonÈÀMiddle School, Walpole, MA; Joshua, 15, and Samuel 13, Merchant, both homeschooled in Cheshire; and Nic Lyons, 15 of Cheshire.”The Ripple Effect” is a compelling story which traces the irony of how small, seemingly insignificant actions can echo through time and affect the lives of others in unexpected and life-changing ways. This is a story of forgiveness using bullying and suicide as the vehicle that drives the story to its surprising conclusion.
As CAFTA continues to develop future filmmakers and creative talent, this will be the first of many celebrations and premi̬res of original works at CAFTA.
For more information contact Teresa Sullivan cafta.usa@gmail.com or 860 201 5706.
