Liverpool filmmakers win audience award at Atlantic film fest youth competition
Easton Goodwin and Desmond Smyth tied for the People’s Choice Award at the Atlantic International Film Festival’s youth film competition. (Rick Conrad)
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Two young filmmakers from Liverpool have won the People’s Choice Award at this year’s Atlantic International Film Festival youth film competition.
The short films by Easton Goodwin and Desmond Smyth tied for the award, which was decided by a round of online voting. Their films were among 16 finalists out of 40 submissions.
Desmond, 16, says he’s happy that he and Easton are sharing the award.
“I got an email that said I had been selected for the People’s Choice Award but there were two really great films that tied for the category. And I was like, man, if there is one person that should have gotten this award it was Easton. So I texted him to see if he got anything and it ended up he did.
“It’s a very cool experience and I’m glad that Easton got the award because he really does deserve it. He put a lot of time and effort and he put all of his heart into the film.”
Desmond’s film November Moon is an homage to David Lynch’s movies. It follows a teenager who has visions of creatures haunting him.
Easton’s film Past Echoes is a more personal look at a young boy dealing with depression, anxiety and bullying at school.
“I couldn’t believe it honestly,” Easton, 17, said Wednesday in an interview.
“Growing up, film was one of my biggest dreams and to get to share this award with one of your best friends, it really is a pleasure. I loved Desmond’s film so much and so much work was put into it, it was great and I loved it. I think it’s awesome that we get to share it.”
The two students at Liverpool Regional High School have collaborated before on a short that also got attention at the Atlantic film festival’s youth competition. Last year, they and some friends made The Absence, which was the runner-up in the people’s choice vote.
Desmond and Easton are members of the Astor Theatre’s filmmaking club, which began in September. More than a dozen youth meet every week to work on their own projects and collaborate on bigger ones.
The club is overseen by three adult mentors, Desmond’s parents Kyle and Lori, and Dan Williams.
“There’s a lot of really, really talented kids at the film club,” Desmond says. “They certainly helped me with my film. They’re very supportive of the whole thing, which I think is awesome.”
Easton says that being part of the film club has helped him hone his filmmaking.
“The film club we can’t thank them enough, they were really helpful. They all have talent and they really did help our (pictures).”
The club wraps up for the year when school’s out for the summer. But Easton says more kids should join when the club starts up again in September.
“If you have children who might be interested in film tell them to come out because we have a great group of people and they’re all so welcoming.”
In the meantime, Easton and Desmond say they’re going to keep working on their own projects and help spread the word about the film club and the Astor’s stop-motion animation club, which will also get going again in September.
“I guess keep making films and hope for the best,” Easton says. “The best advice I ever got is to just making films, keep writing, keep filming every day and eventually it will improve and then hopefully I’ll be in the industry at some point.”
To see all the finalist films in the Atlantic International Film Festival’s youth competition this year, go to the festival’s YouTube channel.
Email: rickconradqccr@gmail.com
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