COMPETITION PROGRAM
Cinema Culturas Student Storytelling and Film Competition
"Keep on Dreaming in Challenging Times"
Winners and Finalists
Cinema Culturas Storytelling and Film Student Competition seeks to encourage and enhance K-12 students’ 4 C’s of 21st Century Skills: Critical Thinking, Creativity, Collaboration and Communication. Cinema Culturas expands on this learning model by incorporating two additional C’s in its educational program: Culture and Community. Our organization’s key tenets of diversity and inclusion are observed through fun and educational forums for all students to participate via storytelling and visual dynamics of film, and having both local and global communities come together to support students. We want the youth of today to be resilient dreamers, and for all of us to create a promising and inclusive future with every story they imagine.
HOSTED BY
If you are interested in hosting/sponsoring our next Student Storytelling and Film Competition/Student Workshop/Film Festival, please contact us at director@cinemaculturas.com
Please play the videos to see the
Winning Short Films & Short Stories
Winning Short Films
Winning Short Stories
Early Elementary School Students from 1st to 3rd grade
1st place:
Anastasia Shinkarenko - "Magic Head"
2nd place:
Jonathan Freeman - "How Homeschool Hotdog Became Elon Mustard"
3rd place:
Luciana Radaelli - "La Hada Valiente"
Upper Elementary School Students from 4th and 5th grade
1st place:
Lauren G. Stewart - "Silence is Violence"
2nd place:
Camilla Radaelli - "A Wonderful Dream"
3rd place:
Elizabeth Pudussery - "Hide"
3rd place:
Judyanne Paz - "Working Together"
Middle School Students from 6th to 8th grade
1st place:
Jaidan Slowik - "Nature's Hope"
2nd place:
Gabriela García Espinosa - "Amor de Hermanos"
2nd place:
Hailey Jackson - "Embark"
3rd place:
Iris Hyon - "To Lupe: a Future Teacher"
High School Students from 9th to 12th grade
1st place:
Xuan-Anh Ly Biggs - "You Might Find Flowers"
2nd place:
Gabi Bania - "Lignum Love"
2nd place:
Eviel Arturo Bautista Santiago - "Peché, el Niño Nahúal"
3rd place:
Liliana Molina - "Su Sueño"
3rd place:
Tiffany Rodriguez - "Keep on Dreaming in Challenging Times"
WINNERS
Early Elementary School Students from 1st to 3rd grade
1st Place / Short Film
Anastasia Shinkarenko
"Magic Head"
Artistic Theme
Children's Cartoon Studio "KROK"
2nd Grade
Vishnevoe
UKRAINE, International Story
3rd Place / Short Story
Luciana Radaelli
"La Hada Valiente"
Artistic Theme
John F. Kennedy Elementary
1st Grade
Riverside
USA
2nd Place / Short Story
Camilla Radaelli
"A Wonderful Dream"
Artistic Theme
John F. Kennedy Elementary
4th Grade
Riverside
USA
3rd Place / Short Story
Elizabeth Pudussery
"Hide"
Artistic Theme
Benjamin Franklin Elementary
4th Grade
Riverside
USA
2nd Place / Short Film
Gabriela García Espinosa
"Amor de Hermanos"
Artistic Theme
Lázaro Cárdenas del Río
7th Grade
Mexico City
MEXICO, International Story
3rd Place / Short Story
Iris Hyon
"For Lupe: A Future Teacher"
Artistic Theme
Amelia Earhart Middle School
8th Grade
Riverside
USA
2nd Place / Short Film
Gaby Bania
"Lignum Love"
Artistic Theme
Film High School
11th Grade
Warszawa
POLAND, International Story
3rd Place / Short Film
Liliana Molina
"Su Sueño"
Artistic Theme
Riverside Poly High School
12th Grade
Riverside
USA
FINALISTS
Click on each window to read/see the Finalist Stories.
Early Elementary School Students from 1st to 3rd grade
1
Abraham Juárez
"Me siento orgulloso"
Artistic Theme
César Chávez Elementary
2nd Grade
Coachella
USA
2
Grace Gaham
"A Challenging Time"
Artistic Theme
Smiley Elementary
1st Grade
Redland
USA
3
Kendra Valeria Ocampo
Martínez
"Los Animalitos del Circo
en Cuarentena"
Artistic Theme
1st Grade
Toluca
MEXICO, International Story
4
Layla Graham
"Boogie Bord"
Artistic Theme
Smiley Elementary
2nd Grade
Redland
USA
5
Michaela Paz
"Las Manzanas"
Artistic Theme
César Chávez Elementary
1st Grade
Thermal
USA
6
Xiaraí Guadalupe Valle Puga
"La chica musical"
Artistic Theme
César Chávez Elementary
1st Grade
Indio
USA
Middle School Students from 6th to 8th grade
7
Alondra Miranda Portillo
"Overcoming Life's
Challenges"
Science Theme
Chemawa Middle School
7th Grade
Riverside
USA
8
David Weischedel
"The best 7 years"
Artistic Theme
César Chávez Elementary
6th Grade
Indio
USA
9
Diego Salas
"Family During Hard Times"
Artistic Theme
César Chávez Elementary
6th Grade
Coachella
USA
10
Emmanuel Pudussery
"Trying the Untried"
Science Theme
Riverside STEM Academy
6th Grade
Riverside
USA
11
Evangelina Sarett
"Take me with you"
Artistic Theme
7th Grade
Novosibirsk
RUSSIAN FEDERATION,
International Story
12
Gerardo Garza Bojórquez
"Entre botes y saltos surge la pasión"
Artistic Theme
Instituto la Paz
7th Grade
Tijuana
MEXICO, International Story
13
Jared Faulkner
"Moving Forward"
Artistic Theme
Matthew Gage Middle School
8th Grade
Riverside
USA
14
Jordyn Gonzalez
"Once I Wake"
Artistic Theme
Amellia Earhart Middle School
8th Grade
Riverside
USA
15
Pedro Ruiz-Gallegos
"Keep On Dreaming During Challenging Times"
Science Theme
César Chávez Elementary
6th Grade
Coachella
USA
16
Renata T. Pacheco
"Mi Triste Realidad Llena de Esperanza"
Artistic Theme
George Washington Elementary
6th Grade
Riverside
USA
High School students from 9th to 12 grade
17
Adonai Aparicio Reyes
"Los Seres Humanos Somos Seres Impresionantes"
Artistic Theme
Centro de Bachillerato Tecnológico Industrial y de Servicios CBTIS 2
10th Grade
Tlaxiaco
MEXICO, International Story
18
Alma Escobedo
"Loving You with a Broken Heart"
Artistic Theme
Indio High School
12th Grade
Coachella
USA
19
Ángel Daniel Osorio Martínez
"Sigue soñando"
Science Theme
Centro de Bachillerato Tecnológico Industrial y de Servicio CBTIS 2
10th Grade
Tlaxiaco
MEXICO, International Story
20
Asley Casto Aparicio Jiménez
"Cruzando Adversidades"
Artistic Theme
Centro de Bachillerato Tecnológico Industrial y de Servicio CBTIS 2
10th Grade
Oaxaca
MEXICO, International Story
21
Caitlyn Hill
"When challenging things happen"
Science Theme
Desert Mirage
10th Grade
Mecca
USA
22
Cristian López Gómez
"Un mundo de Pie"
Science Theme
Centro de Bachillerato Tecnológico Industrial y de Servicio CBTIS 2
10th Grade
Tlaxiaco
MEXICO, International Story
23
David Ruiz Ruiz
"Soñar en tiempos difíciles"
Artistic Theme
Centro de Bachillerato Tecnológico Industrial y de Servicio CBTIS 2
10th Grade
Tlaxiaco
MEXICO, International Story
24
Deanna Chávez
"Keep Moving Forward"
Science Theme
USA
25
Diego Alessandro Valdés González
"El cerro del tambor"
Artistic Theme
Centro de Bachillerato Tecnológico Industrial y de Servicio CBTIS 2
10th Grade
Tlaxiaco
MEXICO, International Story
26
Eduardo Soria Sandoval
"Seguir soñando en tiempos difíciles"
Artistic Theme
Centro de Bachillerato Tecnológico Industrial y de Servicio CBTIS 2
10th Grade
Tlaxiaco
MEXICO, International Story
27
Elizabeth Esteban
"Always Dream Big"
Artistic Theme
Desert Mirage High School
11th Grade
Thermal
USA
28
Elizabeth Park
"Progressing in the Brain's Resilience"
Science Theme
Martin Luther King High School
10th Grade
Riverside
USA
29
Fausto Coronel Vega
"Keep On Dreaming, but in this
New Normality"
ScienceTheme
Instituto México de Baja
California
10th Grade
Tijuana
MEXICO, International Story
30
Germán Garza Bojórquez
"Beneficios Enmascarados"
Artistic Theme
CETYS Universidad (Preparatoria)
12th Grade
Tijuana
MEXICO, International Story
31
Isabel Ángela García
"Un Bichito"
Science Theme
Polytechnic High School
9th Grade
Riverside
USA
32
Jared Martínez Miguel
"Realidad en la Pandemia"
Science Theme
Centro de Bachillerato Técnica Industrial y de Servicio No. 2
11th Grade
Tlaxiaco
MEXICO, International Story
33
Joel Salinas
"Chapter 1"
Artistic Theme
John W North High School
11th Grade
Riverside
USA
34
Jorge Alberto González Hernández
"AVANCES CIENTÍFICOS"
Science Theme
Centro de Bachillerato Técnica Industrial y de Servicio CBTIS 2
11th Grade
Tlaxiaco
MEXICO, International Story
35
José Adriel Torres Feria
"Soñar en 1, 2, 3"
Science Theme
Centro de Bachillerato Técnico Industrial y de Servicio CBTIS 2
11th Grade
Tlaxiaco
MEXICO, International Story
36
Lesley Yahayry Ortiz Bautista
"México ante el COVID-19"
Science Theme
Centro de Bachillerato Técnica Industrial y de Servicio CBTIS 2
11th Grade
Tlaxiaco
MEXICO, International Story
37
Lilian Álvarez
"How must we adapt to challenging times"
Artistic Theme
Poly High School
12th Grade
Riverside
USA
38
Litzy Daniela Espinosa Chávez
"Sigue Soñando en Tiempos Difíciles"
Artistic Theme
Centro de Bachillerato Técnica Industrial y de Servicio CBTIS 2
10th Grade
Tlaxiaco
MEXICO, International Story
39
Lucy Lang
"Dream Through Adversity"
Artistic Theme
Martin Luther King High School
12th Grade
Hemet
USA
40
Maxen Olvera
"Stronger than hope"
Artistic Theme
Polytechnic High School
12th Grade
Riverside
USA
41
Debany Itzel Morales Hernandez
"Seguir soñando en tiempos difíciles"
Artistic Theme
Centro de Bachillerato Técnico Industrial y de Servicio CBTIS 2
10th Grade
Tlaxiaco
MEXICO, International Story
42
Roselin Neida Sandoval de Jesús
"Historia de Emily"
Artistic Theme
Centro de Bachillerato Técnico Industrial y de Servicio CBTIS 2
10th Grade
Tlaxiaco
MEXICO, International Story
43
Sayf Peña
"Brain Dead: A Dystopian Short Story"
Artistic Theme
Riverside Virtual School
9th Grade
Riverside
USA
44
Susie Fernández
"Keep on Dreaming through
Challenging Times"
Artistic Theme
9th Grade
Riverside
USA
45
Tina Conley
"Adaptation is Key"
Science Theme
John W. North High School
12th Grade
Riverside
USA
46
Tom Nethersol
"Pride"
Artistic Theme
9th Grade
Victoria
AUSTRALIA, International
Story
47
Andrei Mitoiu
"Rushed"
Artistic Theme
10th Grade
Bucharest
ROMANIA, International Story
48
Jordan Nicole Britt
"Don't Cry, Blue Sky"
Artistic Theme
Garner Magnet High School
9th Grade
North Carolina
USA
COMPETITION JURY
Albert Lee
Cinema Culturas’ media specialist, is a professional videographer and photographer who has focused on honing his visual aesthetic acuity. Having participated in the casting process of models/actors, storyboarding, editing and other production areas, he has the full range of experience in pre-production, production, and post-production for video and photography. One of Albert Lee’s specialties is video and photography lighting: both constant and strobe, both daylight and artificial.
Brenda Lorenzi
Brenda Lorenzi is co-owner of Sunwest publishers of Inland Empire Magazine, a nationally recognized regional magazine serving the Inland Empire now in its 43rd year of publishing and Tastes Of Italia Magazine, a recipe oriented food magazine distributed nationally and internationally.
Brenda is also co-owner of Lorenzi Estate Wines which opened a tasting room in Temecula wine country in November of 2013.
Guillermo Munro
He studied graphic design, painting, theater, film and advertising in Mexico and the United States. He worked as a graphic designer from 1966 to 1977 in Mexico, Texas, and Los Angeles. He has directed experimental and documentary film and theater and he has written film scripts. He is the director and editor of Crónicas de Nuestra Gente. He has been a cultural promoter since 1978 and director of civic and cultural action twice (1980-1982) and in (1997-2000).
Mariana Robles
She was born and raised in Mexico City. She graduated from UNAM with a Bachelor's degree in Biology and moved to the United States for a Master's Degree in Biology at Northeastern University in Boston, Ma. After a few years working as a laboratory technician with a specialty in Electron Microscopy, she decided to pursue his passion to serve the community and became a teacher. She earned a multicultural bilingual teaching credential from the University of California, Riverside. She taught, primarily first grade, for 23 years. She spent the last four years of her career developing a Professional Growth System to coach teachers new to the school district, new to the profession, or who want to improve their practice. She retired in June 2020.
Ricardo Villareal
Is an award-winning documentary filmmaker. He co-directed and produced the inspiring film “Ride with Larry” and directed “The Dominguez”, a documentary about one family who shaped the history of California. He wrote and self-published the book “Gracias África” about his experiences as an international humanitarian-aid volunteer in the slums of Kibera in Kenya. He is an avid literature reader passionate about historical novels, classic literature, and Latin American contemporary works. He studied Communication Sciences at Tec de Monterrey in Mexico and has an MBA from the University of Tampa. He lives in Oceanside California.
COLLABORATORS
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