(COLORADO SPRINGS) — A Colorado Springs teen has secured over $100,000 in scholarship funds after taking the top prize for his documentary at the All-American High School Film Festival in New York City on Sunday, Oct. 19.
Youth Documentary Academy (YDA) graduate Connor Strange won Best Documentary for his film “Not All Heroes,” which delves into the filmmaker’s connection to the gallantry of comic book heroes and how those ideals helped shape his perception of heroism in the absence of his biological father as a role model.
“Your dad is your superhero. Everyone says that–‘Oh, who is your superhero?’ ‘My dad,’ you know,” Strange says in his documentary. “Well, I don’t get that… I don’t get the relationship that my friends have with their dads.”
The documentary is a raw and emotional glimpse inside Strange’s life, navigating his complicated relationship with his biological father and following along his journey to reconnect and find closure. When his father falls short of Strange’s expectations, the film also shows his realization that he had heroes in his life all along–his mother, his brother, his stepfather–he was simply looking in the wrong place.
“A hero is many things. A hero can run fast, a hero can fly. But a hero also encourages you to get your homework on time,” Strange reflects in his film. “A hero is also the one cheering your name from the stands, and supporting you even when you don’t think you’re doing a good job. At the end of the day, a hero is someone who shows up.”
Strange’s film ultimately took the top prize in the documentary category against nine others. He will be awarded a $134,000 scholarship along with other prizes valued at over $2,000.
Coming off a very successful showing at the film festival, the YDA will present the world premier of new youth films at Colorado College on Nov. 9, moderated by Pikes Peak Poet Laureate Ashley Cornelius and featuring a guest appearance by Colorado Springs City Councilmember Nancy Henjum.
The YDA describes the films to be shown as “bold works of art that will inspire, illuminate and surprise.” This year’s class presents films on topics ranging from body image to black brotherhood, aging to immigration, religion to single parenthood, and much more.
Click here to learn more and find tickets to the world premier.
The world premier will be held in the Colorado Edith Gaylord Cornerstone Arts Center, 825 N. Cascade Ave., with screenings in the Celeste Theatre at 3 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.