PROVIDENCE, R.I. — The future of cinema is shining brightly in Rhode Island. On Tuesday, April 14, 2026, the Providence Career and Technical Academy (PCTA) successfully hosted the first-ever Providence Student Film Festival, transforming its auditorium into a vibrant hub of youth creativity and storytelling.

Spearheaded by Josh Zanni—a local filmmaker and PCTA Media program alumnus-turned-teacher—the inaugural festival screened 12 captivating short films. The featured works were produced entirely by students from local schools, including PCTA, Hope High School, and Roger Williams Middle School.

The PCTA auditorium buzzed with excitement as the student projects debuted on the big screen. Following each screening, the young filmmakers were invited on stage to discuss their creative processes and answer questions from a four-person panel of industry professionals. The esteemed judging panel included local filmmakers Jake Lafond, Ayla Ahlquist (Classical alumni), Jamiere Wilson (Classical alumni), and Larren Witter.

The festival culminated in an awards ceremony recognizing outstanding technical and creative achievements. Students took home certificates for Best Story, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, and Most Creative. The night’s top honor, Best Film, was awarded to a group of students from Roger Williams Middle School, who took home a trophy for their standout project, "Switched."

"The Providence Student Film Festival is a shining example of the incredible talent and creativity that thrives within our district," said Dr. Javier Montañez, Superintendent of Providence Public Schools. "Events like this not only provide a powerful platform for our students' voices, but they also demonstrate the strength of our Career and Technical Education programs in preparing youth for real-world industries. I am incredibly proud of these young filmmakers and deeply grateful to our dedicated educators and alumni who brought this vision to life."

Edward Fielding, the CTE Media Arts teacher at Roger Williams, praised the event's impact on his students. "This filled a void in terms of providing an opportunity for students to showcase their projects in a collaborative and supportive setting," Fielding said. "The panel of industry professionals consisting of PPSD alums was a great touch."

The event drew an enthusiastic crowd, with proceeds from snack and popcorn sales benefiting student fundraising initiatives.

“The judges were wonderfully encouraging with their thoughtful questions and feedback. I can’t wait for more in the future!” noted one festival attendee.

Looking ahead, PCTA plans to establish the Providence Student Film Festival as an annual event every April, with hopes of welcoming even more schools next year. Zanni emphasized the driving mission behind the festival's creation:

"It's important for students to have events like this to showcase their work on a grand stage," said Zanni. "It brings value to the arts, encourages students to see through their creative projects, and lets them understand their work can be more than just a classroom grade."

With a foundation of strong community support, the inaugural Providence Student Film Festival successfully celebrated the artistic talent of local youth and set a vibrant stage for years to come.