The Charlie Awards is a film competition for high school students in the KW region that helps students to discover their creative potential, build their confidence, develop leadership skills, and work collaboratively in teams.
The Charlies was founded in April 1972 by two high-school teachers: Wayne McNanny from KCI and Jim Bright from Grand River Collegiate Institute. The first film was a black and white spaghetti western shot at Pioneer Village using an 8mm camera and super 8 film. This event is the oldest running student film festival in all of Canada.
Each school in Waterloo Region is invited to enter two films that are seen by students and judges during the afternoon of the festival. Then in the evening, the top films are chosen to be seen by the public. At the end of the evening show, the judges choose the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners for the year. Prizes vary depending on sponsors.
The Charlies are judged by media professionals who donate their time to work with the best of the K-W region's young film makers. They help the students improve their filmmaking abilities; they provide editing and production advice and consult on solutions to problems.
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