Lights, Camera, Heroes: Minarets Hosts First HeroFest
- Minarets Press Staff
- 4 hours ago
- 3 min read
March12th, 2026 O'Neals, CA Nicole Alas, Reporter
On Thursday, March 5, Minarets Media hosted its first HeroFest. Students were required to create a four-minute (or shorter) video involving heroes. With extensive editing, visual effects, and costume design, the students did fantastic work, showing huge improvements from HorrorFest. The event featured a total of 15 categories, spanning from Best Picture to the Audience Choice Award.
Starting at 12:15, the Media Lounge quickly filled up with students and staff. Seats filled up fast as numerous staff members and students came out to support the Media program. Many films were recognized, from the first-place overall winner to the second-place runner-up. Numerous projects from Advanced Media to Media 1 came together, each with different stories, lessons, and skills that produced impressive projects.
“Being a part of HeroFest, as well as watching it, was so fun. I enjoyed watching everyone win or get nominated.” — Nicole Alas
The Minarets C’s, such as creativity, community, and collaboration, really shined through the students and the program. Some films even went off campus and involved firefighters to tell powerful stories, showing that not all heroes need capes. Fan favorites included End of 67, Coarsegold Cal Fire Documentary, Mango Mustard, and Weight of Shadows.
Congratulations to the winners of each category: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Editing, Best VFX, Best Cinematography, Best Costume, Best Music, Best Sound Design, Best Story, Best Actor, Best Actress, Most Heroic Film, Best Hero Moment, Rising Star, and Audience Choice.
Visual effects played a crucial role in many of these films. Students learned how to make people fly, disappear, and move objects on screen. The winner for Best Overall VFX was the project Vetch 42, which used visual effects to make the film more visually appealing.
“VFX took a long time and was a very hard process, but it ended up working out well.” — Camdyn Petros
Coarsegold Cal Fire Documentary won Best Picture, claiming the new title as the GOAT of Media. Best Director went to Nicholas Prieto for the project Vetch 42. Best Editing went to Coarsegold Cal Fire. Best Costume went to Box Boy. Best Music went to You’re Never Alone. Best Sound Design went to Coarsegold Cal Fire. Best Story went to End of 67. Best Actor went to Arden Drenning. Best Actress was a tie between Jayde from Weight of Shadows and Aurora Smecal from Hallway Heroes. Most Heroic Film and Best Hero Moment both went to End of 67.
Weight of Shadows won Rising Star, and the director, Sarah Kinnunen, received a personal comment from the judges. End of 67 won the Audience Choice Award, becoming the fan favorite of the event.
Rising Star winner Sarah Kinnunen received a special comment and award for being the judges’ favorite emerging director. Sarah was complimented on her skills and potential. Congratulations to Sarah.
“I appreciate the personal recognition of being chosen as the Rising Star winner.” — Sarah Kinnunen
Congratulations to everyone who won, was nominated, and used their creativity to produce films. Everyone did an amazing job, and the Media program is excited to see what comes next. The program looks forward to watching these students continue to grow and develop their talents. Hours of hard work (and maybe a little procrastination) truly paid off.
Mr. Sconce is proud of each and every student involved. Thank you, Mr. Sconce, for making this possible and for believing in the students.
“I’m proud of all the creative dreamers in Minarets Media. I’m excited that our judges watched all of their films and agreed with me that they are growing into working professionals.” — Mr. Sconce
Written by Nicole Alas
Photos by Nicole Alas and Matthew Sconce
Edited by Josephina Emerson and Travis Padgett
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