Drexel H. Foundation is gearing up for the 19th Annual Children’s Film festival at the Historic Rex Theater downtown Vale.
Film makers of all ages will see their creative work on the Big Screen at the historic Rex Theater in Vale Oregon on Sat Sept 21st. This show has films submitted from all ages and showcases the Drexel’s Crash Course in film. Earlier this month at the annual Drexel crash course a fun group of local students and adults created a story and shot the film in front of the green screen and used Vale’s Train Depot mural making a film in just 2 hours. This new film “The Quest to Reclaim the Golden Spike” will premiere at the Film Festival on Sept 21st at 6:30 Pm. There will be a filmmakers reception with food and prizes awarded to the winners and trophy for best of show! There are drawings for great door prizes for all who come. There is nominal admission charge of $7 for adults $5 for kids and Seniors. “The reason we charge admission for this event is to teach the young filmmakers that they can make money doing this as a career. Many who have entered over the years have pursued careers in this area.” said Sandijean Fuson President of the Drexel H. Foundation. “We are proud of the many local and Boise film makers who enter.” One of the featured short films is “Sam and Duke’s Big River Adventure” by filmmaker & animator Tom Taylor. The adventurous duo is off an amazing journey along a river in their tiny boat. Take a ride with Sam and Duke and enjoy the beauty, wonder and perils of their biggest adventure yet. This is the third animated short childrens movie installment for “The Adventures of Sam and Duke.” Tom Taylor is a director, writer, motion graphics animator, musician, and songwriter from Boise, Idaho. His animated photo design and video style create otherworldly images that evoke uplifting, emotional, cinematic experiences. Another film making team is Jordan Gore and the students of Rose Hill Montessori.They have a film camp every year and this is their 2024 entry. For several years this group has entertained and submitted funny youth films to the Drexel’s film competition. This year come see their film “The classroom.”
Drexel Foundation’s 2024 Crash course in Film has an a great story about a historical item “the golden spike” from Promontory Point in Utah which is stolen and they have find it. It stars: Jaxen Hansen, Kai Dave, Becky Moore, Angela Smith, Shannon Brewington, Anna Dave, Ella Dave, Aden Dave, Ian Moore, Liam Lombard, Abbi Christian, Mia Champagne, Sophia Pineda, Sophideia Ernest. This film also features the work of grips, sound techs, clapboard, camera people and directors of : Jesse Trotter, Atanasius Armstrong, Noah Carlson, Andrew McLaughlin, Isabel Lastiri, Sandijean Fuson, Mike McLaughlin, Cady Tolman, Patrick Trowel, Kelsey Tolman, and Sam McLaughlin. “It was a super fun night of creativity and the improvisation by the actors was fabulous! Every year we are inspired by a Vale Mural or location here to create a unique story. After 19 years many past participants are doing film, acting or teaching art, it is a great introduction to art as a career. We start off with a short lesson on how to create your own video and always end the night with Mal’s ice cream.” said Fuson. Audiences will also see the new Tourism Videos Drexel created to bring economic development to our Malheur county area. Drexel Foundation is proud to be a partner with Travel Oregon and the Eastern Oregon Visitors Association in making two short tourism advertisements to “Bring them to Vale” and highlight “Malheur County’s Cultural treasures”.
The Drexel Foundation was originally created to help preserve the Historic 1908 Vale Hotel and 1895 Grand Opera House. At its inception, the goal was to create an art center in a portion of the Grand Opera House and artist in residency spaces in part of the Vale Hotel, thus, providing a space for the community to enjoy cultural events and art education. In 1995, the first Art Camp & Talent Show was held. Over the years Drexel has added several annual art programs. In 2005 this Annual Film Festival “For Kids By Kids and with Kids in Mind” began. In 2006 the Annual Film Crash Course workshops by professional film & screenwriters started. For more information, visit the Drexel Foundation’s website, facebook, or Instagram to learn more. The Film Festival on Sept 21th will start at 6:30 Pm includes food & filmmakers reception, drawings for great door prizes and a free refurbished bike for all who come, and the award of age category trophies & prizes and the $100.00 cash for the Best of Show.
