In a dark and lively screening room at the United Artist Riverview Plaza, located on the 1400 block of South Columbus Boulevard, student film makers, teachers and event organizers behold a series of short films—this year’s Pennsylvania entries for the 2015 10 Day Film Challenge—parading across the silver screen. What started out as contest for three New Jersey high schools has blossomed into a 15-state celebration of film and now includes over 3,000 students from 106 high schools from around the country, one of which, Maritime Academy Charter School, falls in the Riverward neighborhood of Port Richmond.

Students were required to meet certain criteria for entering the contest, including the use of a specific line of dialogue (“Does it even matter?”), the use of the character name Eric(a) Ashton, and the inclusion of a certain prop (in this case, an apple). A few exceptional shorts showed a clear capacity for dedication to the craft from people who haven’t yet graduated. Entries were submitted to 10 Day, Inc. and voted on by audience members at the screening. Many films were shot where the students had easy access: their locker rooms, hallways and classrooms.

The youth at Maritime Academy Charter School, led by art teacher James Lint, had at their disposal five state-of-the-art Apple computers, Final Cut Pro and Canon handheld video cameras—an apt selection of gadgetry for his students’ purposes. Lint’s curriculum, which wasn’t as reliant on technology as it was focused on technique, engaged students by teaching them the importance of studying what other filmmakers have done. Eager as his students may be to start filming on the first day of class, he makes sure to lay a solid understanding upon which the students can create a foundation for grasping the ins and outs of filmmaking.

“It’s important for the students to understand the art of cinema before I have them make their own movies,” Lint said.

Even though Lint’s class didn’t win an award, they still showed a level of understanding—camera angles, post-production editing, film scoring—which highlights their hard work.

“I remember a lot of the silent films,” Jackie Hampel, one of Lint’s pupils, said in a discussion with her classmates about films they thought as best suited for the 10 Day Film Challenge, “I imagine that being kind of easier because people who aren’t really good at acting don’t have to stress about delivering the lines.”

Sponsored by the non-profit organization 10 Day, Inc., the competition offers high school students the chance to hone their skills in the art of filmmaking. As the program’s name suggests, the Challenge spans 10 days, and students use that time to write, film, and produce their own short film.

Gary Joseph, executive director of 10 Day, Inc., hopes to have a screening in every state while simultaneously spreading the program’s message of art rejuvenation across the nation.

“We’ve been doing it since 2011 and now there are 15 states that have their own state-wide screenings,” Joseph said. “Our ultimate goal is to have a screening like this in every state. Our short term goal is chip away at that process.”

He sees the contest as a method to engage students in a way that many high schools simply cannot, whether it be because of budget cuts to artistic curriculum or because of absent expertise and know-how. Eventually he wants 10 Day, Inc. to have the financial ability to offer mentorships and workshops to interested students who otherwise might not get the chance to practice the art of film until college.

“As [art] teachers, especially as film teachers, we understand the value of students being able to screen their work in public and have this sense of accomplishment that they got their movie shown in public. That’s how we want to impact them,” Joseph said. “Give them this experience because they don’t get this experience in class and school projects. As an artist, you want to show your stuff in public.”

10 Day, Inc. maintains operational status as a nonprofit, which means funding is inevitably tight, but they still manage to offer this opportunity at no cost to students and their respective schools. The nationwide finals will be held on June 7, 2015, so be sure to check it out. For more information about 10 Day, Inc. and the challenge head over to www.tendayfilm.org.