Center for Career Services to host first-ever Film Festival in May

The First Dance Film Festival is schedule for May 14, 2025 at Westchester Community College

Michael May had always dreamed of seeing his students’ work showcased in a film festival. That vision will be realized on May 14, 2025, when the Center for Career Services hosts the inaugural First Dance Film Festival in the Gateway Center Building at Westchester Community College.

“I’m very appreciative of our CCS administration — Director Dahlia Jackson, Principal Jaclyn De Lao and assistant principal Phil Donohue — to allow us to hold this event for our school,” said Mr. May, who teaches TV/Video Production at CCS. “I think it’s a great collaboration, both for the programs here at the school, but also a great collaboration with Westchester Community College.”

The event, which will run from 4-7 p.m., will be held in Westchester Community College’s screening room. Students from the TV/Video Production program will have their short films screened for students, families, friends and Southern Westchester BOCES administration, plus guests who work in the film industry.

“This is exciting for us,” said Eugene Egvivwie, a senior from Eastchester. “We’re the first students in this program to ever get this opportunity.”

The students are still in the process of crafting their films, but May expects them to run from 5-10 minutes. They are currently in the process of creating storyboards, casting roles and shooting footage.

“It’s obviously very exciting but also very stressful,” said Anthony Zottola, a senior from Mamaroneck. “We’re right in the middle of pre- and post-production, but I know I will get everything done and I’m confident that it will turn out well.”

An important element both during pre- and post-production and during the festival itself will be coordinating with the Sound Production and Commercial Art programs. Sound Production students will provide sound recording and audio mixing for the films. Commercial Art students will create movie posters that will be on display during the festival.

Students in the TV/Video and Sound Production programs will also record the event and produce an edited version of the show for later viewing.

“This is different with us incorporating different programs in the school,” said Shane Gordon, a senior who attends Byram Hills High School. “There really is a whole community of people here to support you as you work toward a goal.”

May said both the filmmaking process and the festival will be almost entirely student-driven. He plans to show eight films, plus two additional films that were recognized at the SkillsUSA regional competition held on campus in February.

After all of the films are screened, there will be an awards presentation. Not only will there be categories that recognize the films, students from Sound Production and Commercial Art will be eligible for awards for their work.

“I’m incredibly proud of these kids. This is a big undertaking,” May said. “This is a difficult task at such a young age, but the students who participate will get an idea of the type of challenges they will face in this industry in the future.”