And the nominees are…!

By Neil Trafford, Arts Department Head/Film Arts Teacher

Congratulations to our QMS filmmakers and actors who gave up their November long weekend to compete in the 2025 Zoom Student Film Festival’s 48-Hour Challenge.

Hosted by Mulgrave Academy, this annual competition brings together high schools from across BC to one event, daring student filmmakers to step-up to the challenge: conjure an all-original idea from a privately revealed theme & prop at the stroke of five then write, produce, shoot, edit and upload a finished film all within 48 hours. Anyone who has ever attempted this feat will know, this is a huge challenge.

And accomplishing that herculean task is simply the ticket for entry, with many participants unable to surpass that level of challenge.

This year over 100 films were officially selected for competition representing over 60 high schools across the province. One QMS entry, Meat, rose through the ranks and made it into the Top Five, being nominated in two of the leading craft categories: Best Original Screenplay and Best Art Direction. Congratulations to Leon T. (’26). Oliver B. (’26), Liam W. (’26), Kai J. (’26), Josh T. (’26), Estaban G. (’26) and actors, Paulina D. (’27) and Jade C. (’28).

A second film entry, Broken Chords, proved to be a spirited effort from a team of first time writers, producers, and actors-for-the-screen, a first time director, cinematographer, production manager, script supervisor, and  long-format editor, on top of operating with a reduced crew due to conflicting events…and resulted in an incredible debut production for all involved. Simply amazing! Congratulations to Saoirse Mc. (’28), Matthew R. (’26), Ian N. (’27), Saylor B. (’29) and actors, Kalen W. (’26), Chloe T. (’26) and Darren Shillito (Staff).

I take my hat off to both of the crews and their cast for all their hard work and sacrifice, their bravery and their determination, proving once again that if you choose to focus your efforts and apply all your skills and talents, you can punch above your weight class and prove yourself worthy as a contender.