Hello RadGeeks!

RadGeekery’s SLCSD Students’ Accomplishments

In the 2024 - 2025 School year, RadGeekery SLCSD students created the following films: 

“Lights Out” by Indian Hills Elementary

“Depression Vs. Happiness” by Dilworth Elementary

“A Ghost’s Best Friend” by Wasatch Elementary

“Game Over” by Emerson Elementary

“Picture Perfect” by Ensign Elementary

“The Disappearing” by Beacon Heights Elementary

In the 2025 - 2026 school year, these films were accepted into multiple film festivals. 

The Kids International Family Film Festival 2025

“Picture Perfect” (Ensign Elementary) won the major award for Best Short Film in North America. Due to this Film Festival being international the film festival took place in Thailand! The Ensign Elementary student Directors were Aria Frehner, Sophia Straight, Jonas MacDonald and Heathcliff Lewis.  

Daybreak Film Festival: 

“Game Over” (Emerson Elementary) and “Lights Out” (Indian Hills Elementary) were nominated at the third annual Daybreak Film Festival, which was held on November 8, 2025. 

“Game Over” won the award for Best First Time Filmmaker. There were many Emerson RadGeeks that made this film. The Emerson Elementary student directors were Ava Bath and Jax Cloud. Their instructor was Conrad Paur. 

Utah International Film Festival:

All 6 films were selected and nominated for awards for the Utah International Film Festival. This event was January 01 - 05, 2026. Here are the following films and the awards they were nominated for. 

“Lights Out” by Indian Hills Elementary

Award Nominations: Best Student Elementary Film;
                                Amelie Anderson for Best Actress under 18

“Depression Vs. Happiness” by Dilworth Elementary

Award Nominations: Best Student Elementary Film;
                                  Nathan Chunge for best actor 18 and under

“A Ghost’s Best Friend” by Wasatch Elementary

Award Nominations: Best Student Elementary Film;
                                Best Ensemble Cast

“Game Over” by Emerson Elementary

Award Nominations: Best Student Elementary Film
                                Dorian Hodges for best actor 18 and under

“Picture Perfect” by Ensign Elementary

Award Nominations: Best Student Elementary Film;
                                Fleur Keach for Best Actress under 18

“The Disappearing” by Beacon Heights Elementary

Award Nominations: Best Student Elementary Film

The award ceremony was on Monday, January 5, 2026. 

Dorian Hodges from Emerson Elementary took home a big win, receiving the award for Best Actor 18 and under in his film “Game Over.” 

The Indian Hills RadGeekery Film Crew’s film “Lights Out” won Best Student Elementary Film. 

Two RadGeek SLCSD students received the honor of presenting a couple of awards at the Utah International Film Festival awards night because their film, “Locker Problems” had won Best Student Film the previous year for Wasatch Elementary. They created the film as 6th graders, won the award as 7th graders, and presented at the award ceremony as 8th graders from West High School. 

The RadGeekery SLCSD students’ film screening was on Saturday, January 3, 2026. 

After the film screening, the film festival invited some of the RadGeekery SLCSD students to be on a film panel to represent elementary filmmakers. The following students were part of that film panel: 

1. Actress Saveah Van Ginkel (Lights Out) - Indian Hills 

2. Actress Cora McDade (The Disappearing) - Beacon Heights 

3. Cameraman/Gaffer Jack Greenlee (Depression vs. Happiness) - Dilworth 

4. Actor Dorian Hodges (Game Over) - Emerson 

5. Director Aria Frehner (Picture Perfect) - Ensign 

6. Actress Izzi Lagos (A Ghost Best Friend) - Wasatch 

-Conrad