APRIL 6, 2023 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Kevin Christian, APR, CPRC, Director of Public Relations

352.671.7555 w ◊ 352.840.3265 c

Public.Relations@Marion.k12.fl.us

22^nd ANNUAL MARION COUNTY STUDENT MEDIA FESTIVAL

SPOTLIGHTS ASPIRING VIDEO STARS

          MARION COUNTY – The 22nd Annual Marion County Student Media Festival returns in person Friday, April 14, to award local students for outstanding work in the fields of audio and video production. 

          The awards ceremony takes place in the Browne Greaton Cole Auditorium on the MTI campus located at 1614 E. Fort King St. in Ocala. The event is free and open to the public. 

          This year’s festival also airs live on the Marion County Public Schools YouTube Channel (www.youtube.com/MarionCountyK12) at 7 p.m. and hits the airwaves of the Marion Education Channel at the same time and throughout April, Fridays and Saturdays at 7 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m.   

          The Festival, underwritten with community donations and organized by local educators, showcases the outstanding work created by audio/video production students at all grade levels throughout MCPS. Long-time returning sponsors include the Robert Boissoneault Oncology Institute, the Public Education Foundation of Marion County, and Cox Communications. 

          This year, students submitted 203 entries from 24 different schools.  In March, more than three dozen industry experts judged the online entries in 13 categories and four age groups. 

          David Snyder is hosting this year’s awards show. Snyder is a main news anchor at WCJB-TV20 in Gainesville. A Detroit native, Snyder’s award-winning style has kept him in the TV news world for more than 30 years. 

          At the Festival, Snyder will introduce community leaders and district administrators who will present certificates and awards to winning schools, along with four “Best of Show” prizes for grade levels K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12.  Best of Show honors include trophies, bragging rights and $500 cash prizes for schools. 

          Two additional honors will also be announced including the THEME Award, short for the Teri Hartley Effort in Media Education Award, celebrating a Festival founder who devoted countless hours to recognize students for their work. She lost her battle with cancer in 2013. The THEME Award spotlights the amazing ability of students in an entry falling just short of “Best of Show” honors. 

          The Joel Hartley Achievement in Cinematography Award will be given to one entry demonstrating a relentless pursuit of excellence in audio/video production. It is named for Joel Hartley, a district photojournalist/videographer for 18 years whose passion for audio/video direction contributed to the Festival’s on-going success. He lost his battle to COVID-19 in 2021. 

          For more information, contact the Public Relations Office at 352.671.7555. 

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