Student works online from the Oak Bay High Short Film Fest

Divine Tragedy prevailed as People’s Choice during the Oak Bay High Short Film Fest.

The school’s film and television production class hosted its seventh year of the fest, with a couple years hiatus. It’s the fifth under teacher Jeff Laird.

“The entries are culminating projects for their film and television class then we open it up to the student population,” Laird said.

Entries are no longer than seven minutes in any category/genre.

About 150 students watched and voted during a Friday focus block recently. That’s where Divine Tragedy by

Evan Stover, Keegan Griffiths and Spencer Boorman scored the highest votes.

“I’ve had so many requests from teachers and parents that couldn’t make it out that I’ve posted it on YouTube,” Laird said.

The films range from a hilarious Kung Fu hustle to a look at drug addiction and overdoses.

“That one touched close to home for students here,” Laird said.

One late entry missed deadline by a hair, but the teacher includes it in the YouTube playlist.

“It was really, really amazing,” said Laird of A Prairie Girl’s Life, produced and directed by Demaris Pritchard about a women who lived in the prairies during war time.

“They love it. They get the experience of completely t making a production to knowing nothing to presenting a full package,” Laird said.

There’s always been one class, but with interest growing, two are planned for next school year.

“It’ll be neat to see what comes out as we grow the program.”