The student film, "Exposure," is featured on a page of dozens of other eight-minute films written, produced and directed by high school students across the country. Public voting goes until Oct. 28.
The project is part of a 10-week film competition that drew about 30 schools and student organizations nationwide. The cyberbullying competition is part of this year's All American High School Film Festival.
Rye Country Day School's was selected as a finalist and students were awarded $1,000 for their efforts. They were also able to work on the film in New York City, officials said, and films were screened at the AMC Theaters in Times Square on Oct. 9.
Other schools with films chosen as finalists are Cedar Crest High School in Lebanon, Pa., Digital Arts and Cinema Technology High School in Brooklyn N. Y., Pine Crest School in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and Science and Leadership Academy in Philadelphia, Pa.
Steilacoom High School in Steilacoom, Wash., received the award for Best In Contest while Mythic Bridge in Brooklyn, N. Y. received the award for Runner-Up. Canyon Crest Academy in San Diego, Calif., received the award for Second Runner-Up.
The school film selected for the Public Choice Award through public voting has a chance to earn an additional $5,000. Eventually, excerpts from winners and finalists will be used to create a 20-minute film to warn students about the dangers of cyberbullying.
The project also involved the Tyler Clementi Foundation, an organization founded to honor Tyler Clementi, a Ridgewood, N. J., teen who killed himself after being the victim of cyberbullying. Organizers hope to raise awareness among teens, most of whom have phones and other devices.
"This was an amazing weekend with lots of energy, interest and positive messaging around how we can all work together to amplify our voices to end all online and off line bullying. It was so difficult to choose our winners, as every film was terrific and produced with great skill, care and heart," said Jane Clementi, Tyler's mother, and founder and board member of the Tyler Clementi Foundation.
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