The 2025–2026 school year has been the most successful in the 30-year history of Culver City High School’s AVPA/CTE Film program, with students earning a record 20+ film festival acceptances at festivals across the country.
“This has been an extraordinary year for our filmmakers,” said AVPA Film Creative Director Holly Gable. “Their creativity, dedication, and willingness to challenge themselves have led to incredible recognition. We are deeply grateful to Sony Pictures Entertainment and the Culver City Education Foundation for their continued support of our program.”
Gable, a former producer of world-renowned commercials and music videos, also credited screenwriting and editing instructor Kian Darien, CCHS’s Game Development teacher, whose professional industry experience has helped students elevate their storytelling and filmmaking to new heights.
Among the year’s most notable achievements were multiple official selections to the All American High School Film Festival in New York City, widely recognized as one of the nation’s premier high school film festivals:
Jake Bossin’s junior film, Rock Out, was selected in the Comedy category.
Lauren Davidson’s sophomore debut film, Reset, was selected in the Drama category.
Una Finn earned the rare distinction of having two AVPA films selected in the Drama category—It’s All in Your Head and Evanescence, while a third film was selected in the Experimental category.
The students’ success extended well beyond festival selections. Bossin received national recognition as a Future Filmmaker from Film Independent, the nonprofit arts organization behind the annual Film Independent Spirit Awards.
Other notable achievements included Davidson, who won Best Director at the 2026 Rochester Teen Film Festival for Reset; Devin Schlatter, who won Best Screenplay at the Reale Film Festival; and Bek Barthelman, whose films were accepted into three festivals.
These accomplishments represent only a portion of the program’s remarkable year. With more than 20 festival acceptances nationwide – and several additional festivals still to announce selections and awards – AVPA/CTE Film students continue to demonstrate exceptional talent, creativity, collaboration, and dedication to their craft.
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