A short film by Righetti High School Visual and Performing Arts students won Best Local Film at the 30th San Luis Obispo International Film Festival in the Filmmakers of Tomorrow Contest.

Taking an impromptu photo in their classroom are Righetti High film students Samuel Cornejo, Anabel Martinez, Adan Garcia, Zephyr Delute, and Nathan Freeland. (Courtesy photo)
Righetti High’s film students Samuel Cornejo, Anabel Martinez, Adan Garcia, Zephyr Delute, and Nathan Freeland. (Courtesy photo)

The six-minute thriller “The Purple Death” is about Officer Mark Stevens investigating the murder of Zephyr Martinez, with the help of Emily Smith, a McDonald’s employee.

The filmmakers included Samuel Cornejo and Nathan Freeland, both 11th graders; and 12th grade students Anabel Martinez, Adan Garcia, and Zephyr Delute.

“It was a very interesting experience, and it was wonderful to see an audience watch my film on a movie theater screen,’’ Cornejo said. “The parts of the film I intended the audience to laugh on they laughed, and it was just an awesome feeling for me.

“To accept the award for Best Local Film was an amazing part of the day and something I will always remember. I want to thank God for allowing me to experience this, my crew for helping me create this film, I want to thank my film teacher Mr. G for teaching me what I know, and I want to thank my parents for being there for me.”

“Winning the award reassured me that I am on the right path and that I can be a filmmaker,’’ Martinez said. “I’m very happy and excited about this award and honestly, I’m a little speechless.”

“I feel very honored to have our film selected for Best Local Film,’’ Freeland said. “We were amazed at all the great films shown at the SLO Film Festival, and it is very rewarding seeing our hard work pay off.”

There were 20 films screened from all over the world, but only one from Santa Barbara County, according to Jacob Gustafson, Warrior film teacher.

For the screening listing, visit the SLO Film Festival website.