Every year the Emmaus Arts Commission hosts a student film festival, which invites students grades 6-12 at any school or learning environment from across the Lehigh Valley to showcase their creations. This year was the 20th annual film festival: “Nevermore 2024,” where students had to add a chilling Edgar Allan Poe-inspired twist to their filmmaking. On Feb. 2, the premiere and award ceremony took place at the historic Emmaus Theatre, where winners in 14 different categories were honored. Five of the awards were awarded to Emmaus High School students.

There were 13 total entries, three of which were from high schoolers. All three of the high school entries involved students from EHS. The first was “The Facts in the Case of M Valdemar” directed by Arwen Causa, Shea Eisenberg, and Abby Holtz, animated by Arwen Causa, edited by Abby Holtz, and colored by Shea Eisenberg. The second was “The Letter” directed by Vivien Felegy, with a cast of Ivan Felegy, Julia Visco, and Veronica Fegley. Lastly, “And Now We Wake” was directed, edited, and had special effects by Noah Schreiner, featuring cast members Maggie Kelly and Charles Kenny.

These three films all won awards including best editing, best use of sound, best writing, and more. “And Now We Wake” was awarded best directing and best film high school first place.“The Letter” was awarded best writing, best acting, and best film high school second place.“The Facts in the Case of M. Valdemar” was awarded with use of sound.