Jackson, N.J. – On May 15, 2025, a group of media students from Harry S. Truman High School traveled to Jackson Liberty High School in Jackson, New Jersey to participate in the annual New Jersey High School Film Challenge—a full-day media conference and film festival bringing together high school filmmakers from across the region.
In the first week of April, participating teams were given just five days to conceptualize, shoot, and edit a short film based on a surprise creative prompt. The finished films were then submitted and later screened at the event, with awards presented during a ceremony at the close of the day.
This year’s conference also featured a diverse lineup of professional-led workshops designed to educate and inspire. Students chose from sessions like Live TV & Breaking News with Samantha Spader, Cinematography: It Ain’t Just Point and Shoot with David Landau, and TikTok Boom! with Adam Christman. Other popular sessions included Weather the Storm of Content Creation, Practical Horror Effects on the Cheap, and an Apple Vision Pro demonstration on immersive media.
Sophomore Christ Villalona reflected on the day: “I thought it was really cool. I did a lot of networking and it was a good event to socialize with other people who are into the same things as me.”
Media teacher Mr. Roush emphasized the value of the event: “We’ve been bringing students to this challenge for several years now, and every year it just gets better. The workshops are incredible, but even more powerful is watching our students connect with other young creatives who share their passion. It’s an awesome experience that inspires them to grow both technically and artistically.”
The Truman Media Program continues to prioritize real-world opportunities like these to help students sharpen their skills, build their portfolios, and engage with the wider creative community. Congratulations to all students who participated!