Fallbrook High School hosts first Rodarte Film Festival

The Fallbrook High School film department held their inaugural Rodarte Film Festival on May 24, honoring the many films the students were able to create during the 2020-2021 school year.

The Rodarte Film Festival was named after film student Adam Rodarte because of his dedication in reinstating the program and because of his passion for film. When he was in his sophomore year of high school, Rodarte wanted to be able to continue pursuing his passion for film at school, but the film department had been shut down. After learning about George Herring's experience in teaching film, Rodarte approached him about restarting the film department.

"I'd never met Adam before, but I told him that if he could convince the school, I would back him up," said Herring. "He ended up getting around 60 signatures and the principal approved the petition to reinstate the film program."

"When I think of the Rodarte Film Festival, I will always think of Adam's example of making a difference in his community," said Herring.

Rodarte did not expect this type of honor, and when he was told the festival would be named after him, he said he was in awe.

"At first, I didn't know how to take it," said Rodarte. "Mr. Herring has done so much for the program, I thought the festival should be named after him, but I do feel honored to have had this event named after me. I wanted to be able to make a change at this school, and the film program has done that."

The Rodarte Film Festival featured 25 short films, including multiple films about COVID-19. Full films were featured, as well as a collection of "Bits and Pieces" of films. Almost every film featured at the festival has been entered in other film festivals, including the Montclair Film Festival, Education Film Festival, the Portland Horror Festival, and the prestigious Tagore International Film Festival.

The students are still waiting on the results from many of the film festivals, but two films, "The Mutant Leech" directed by Ethan Lenaway and "Striker Returns 2: The Strikening" directed by Hayden Orchard, were announced as finalists in the Tagore International Film Festival. This festival is open to all filmmakers, not just high school students.

The Rodarte Film Festival has allowed the students to share their creations with their friends and family, and they are being honored for their hard work.

Film student and aspiring director Jeremy "Orion" Anding said that he was grateful to be able to showcase multiple films during the festival.

"A lot of us students have something important to say, and Mr. Herring has given us a platform to be able to express ourselves," said Anding. "It's nice to be able to share the films we've created with others."

Film student Joseph Meyer said he is also grateful for Herring and the film program because of the memories he has made.

"The program allowed me to get closer to many of my friends," said Meyer. "It has inspired many of us to pursue careers in the filmmaking industry."

The Rodarte Film Festival has allowed students at Fallbrook High to be able to express themselves and showcase their work and show that they are all proud to be a part of the program and thankful to Herring and Rodarte for making the program possible.

Herring said that he could not be more proud of the students and their accomplishments.

"This is only our program's second year, and a large portion of that has been during COVID," he said. "The students worked hard and they've accomplished great things during the past two years. Big things are coming from these filmmakers. Stay tuned, we'll be seeing more from them in the future."