Watch the 2023 JxJ Festival Teen Film Contest Winners. Teens answered the question “where do you belong?” in a film 3 minutes or less.

Winners and runners-up will all be screened before both Closing Night screenings. Films include:

“Signals”
Dir. Anya Barrus
School: Duke Ellington School of the Arts
Grade: Senior
A young girl contacts aliens in an attempt to flee her dysfunctional home life.

“Solitary”
Dir. Anouk Schneider and Sheridan Feldman
School: Duke Ellington School of the Arts
Grade: Freshmen
A young woman is confronted by a mysterious force after finding herself in an unfamiliar deserted building.

“Doll Face”
Dir. Elene Gorgadze
School: Bethesda Chevy Chase
An abstract exploration of identity and belonging in high school and the impact of popular media on teenagers.

“The Station”
Dir. N’Dea Banks-Mackey
School: Duke Ellington School of the Arts
In a DC metro station, an observant individual contemplates their surroundings and ponders the significance of those around them.