June 14, 2025
7pm
The spotlight shines on the creative talents of North Country youth as the highly anticipated Beyond the Peaks Student Film Festival returns, showcasing powerful short films by high school students across New York and Quebec. Held annually, Beyond the Peaks is more than just a film competition — it is a celebration of student voices, vision, and innovation. The festival invites young filmmakers to submit original work in a variety of categories: Open, Narrative, Thriller, 60-SecondChallenge, and Documentary. Each category will have a finalist, and the prizewinners will be determined by the top three films overall.
“Beyond the Peaks is a celebration of young filmmakers and a testament to the power of digital storytelling,” said Jennifer Kowalczyk, Director of Engagement & Marketing at Mountain Lake PBS. “We’re excited to recognize the hard work of our participants and to showcase their work, inspire others, and shine a light on the talent and creativity in our region.”
The first prize is $1,000, second place earns $500, and third place earns $250. The showcase will be the culminating event of the festival and will feature the best short films from students across the region.
The Beyond the Peaks Awards Showcase offers an opportunity for the community to come together and support these talented young filmmakers. This red-carpet event is open to the public, and admission is free of charge. Community members are encouraged to attend for the chance to view the finalist’s films and see the winners announced. Attendance is free, but RSVPs are requested.
