On Saturday, April 12th, the Cathedral City Public Arts Commission hosted a student film festival at the Mary Pickford Theater to coincide with the showing of Lalo Guerrero: The Original Chicano, a documentary based on the life of famed Cathedral City musician, Lalo Guerrero.

The "Tales of Cathedral City" student film festival prompted students to create work that, in one way or another, focuses on a subject related to Cathedral City. Five projects from Digital Storytelling students were selected to be shown on the big screen at the Pickford, with the top 3 finalists earning trophies and prizes.

First place was awarded to senior Jonathan Serna for The Takeover, which focuses on the 2013 Lions Football team. Jonathan's film will be shown in regular rotation at the Mary Pickford Theater before feature films.

1st Place: The Takeover by Jonathan Serna

A short film by DATA student Jonathan Serna

2nd Place: Technology in Education by Donnielle Gerrell

An revised version of the 3 minute "Technology in Education" video originally created for the White House Student Film Festival. Created by Donielle Gerrell

3rd Place: Origins by Kevin Valdez and Pedro Pineda

Created by Pedro Pineda and Kevin Valdez

Honorable Mention: Cathedral City High School by Marissa Cruz and Cheyenne Whitecotton

Created by Marissa Cruz and Cheyenne Whitecotton

Honorable Mention: The Mary Pickford Theater by Julie Meza and Alejandra Escobar

Created by Alejandra Escobar and Julie Meza

All of the entries are available to view on the Tales of Cathedral City DATA DS Vimeo Channel. We'd like to thank Jim Cox and the Cathedral City Public Arts Commission for hosting the event, and we look forward to the 2015 Tales of Cathedral City Student Film Festival!