By Mark Hovater
The sixth annual “Making Movies That Matter” (MMTM) Youth Film Festival, hosted by Council District 12 (CD12), brought together student filmmakers from elementary, middle, and high schools across the community for a night of cinematic celebration at the Soraya Performing Arts Theatre at CSUN.
With 36 schools participating and an astonishing 156 student-made films submitted, the festival showcased the incredible talent and creativity nurtured through this unique educational program. As CD12 Executive Producer Ron Rubine put it: “This is the largest film festival west of the Mississippi, and it’s all come to this night when the students are STARS and their families are watching from the balconies.”
Over a five-month journey, the MMTM program immersed students in every aspect of filmmaking, from pre-production and production to post-production, guided by professional artists in residence who visited classrooms to mentor and inspire. The dedication of these Artists in Residence is truly eye-opening—their commitment to helping each student shine is at the heart of what makes this program so successful. Students had three months to bring their visions to life, culminating in submissions that reflected a remarkable range of storytelling, technique, and passion. Professional judges then evaluated the entries, selecting winners across four categories, ensuring each level of education was represented and celebrated. As a video producer documenting the process, I can’t help but marvel at the sheer energy of the students: “I wish I could put an audio file in this article for you to hear the sound level of the students—I’ve never heard such a decibel sound reading as this.”
Among the dedicated educators, Media Arts Teacher Jared Wolf from Nobel Middle School praised the program, saying, “MMTM only comes around once a year, and it’s like Christmas Day!” Student filmmaker Jadi O’Rourke, who won Best High School PSA, reflected on the experience: “You realize when you put in all the work and passion on this project just how much you really love the craft of filmmaking.” Councilmember John Lee, who hosted the evening with his signature enthusiasm, shared, “This is my favorite event of the year. I feel like a rockstar with all the students screaming and yelling in excitement.” The festival’s red carpet, complete with photographers, video interviews, specialty photo booths, and a vibrant buffet, gave students and their families a night to remember.
For me, documenting this journey for a forthcoming documentary was both inspiring and humbling; the students’ energy and excitement over the last three months were infectious. The festival is more than a night of awards—it’s a celebration of creativity, community, and the future of filmmaking in our neighborhood. And let’s not forget to tip our hats—and toss them in the air—to Ron Rubine for his remarkable leadership and dedication to producing this incredible program year after year.
