Silence speaks volumes at 9th annual Student Silent Film Festival at the Tivoli Theatre
More than 300 people attended the 9th annual Student Silent Film Festival (SSFF) held on January 28, 2026, at the Tivoli Theatre in Downers Grove. The festival was a film competition in which students from 12 Chicago area high schools created original motion pictures. The movies submitted were required to tell stories in visual terms without the aid of voices or sound effects.
Three high school films were named winners for Outstanding Achievement in Cinema:
- Homewood-Flossmoor High School — The Silence Between Us
- Neuqua Valley High School — King of Hearts
- Vernon Hills High School — Indeafinitely
Neuqua Valley High School’s film also received the Audience Choice award.
Other high schools that participated:
- Hillcrest High School — Witch’s Game
- Huntley High School — A Deal with Fate
- Lake Forest High School — When We Look Up
- Maine East High School — Video Killed the Radio Star
- Maine South High School — Illusion of Control
- Mundelein High School — Vanishing Act
- Oak Forest High School — Final Deal
- Tinley Park High School — Missing
- Lyons Township High School — The Master Deck
“I am continually blown away by the caliber of work these students produce,” said Ed Newmann of Hinsdale, one of three founders of the event. “The quality of the entries was outstanding, showing a mastery of visual storytelling that seems to get more impressive every year. It’s rewarding to see such a huge crowd appreciate the talent coming out of our local high schools.”
All submitted movies were shown with live music accompaniment by Derek Berg, another founder of the event. Berg is a professional pianist and CEO of the Clarendon Hills Music Academy.
“As an instructor of students who live in a digital world and are saturated by content, it is a refreshing opportunity to challenge students with silent film,” said Bill Allen, the third founder of the event. Allen is supervisor of Television Services at Lyons Township High School.
For the festival, a panel of judges — all professionals in the entertainment or art education industries – selected three winners based on the quality of the story narrative, development, camera work, lighting, and editing.
Each participant will be provided with an HD digital file of his or her movie with the accompaniment soundtrack.
“In addition to being an incomparable experience for all the participating students,” Newmann said, “the winning filmmakers have powerful pieces of work for their portfolios.”
For more information, visit https://www.studentsilentfilmfestival.org/.
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Credits for Winning Movies
“The Silence Between Us” – Homewood-Flossmoor High School
Instructor: Matt McLindon
Student Creative Talent: Anthony Reynoso, Aidan Klauk, Charles Wachtel
“King of Hearts” – Neuqua Valley High School
Instructor: John Gelsomino
Student Creative Talent:
Featuring: Yousef Abutaleb, Charlotte VanMilligen
Editors: Christopher Devor, Bailey Smith
“Indeafinitely” – Vernon Hills High School
Instructor: Beth Landeche
Student Creative Talent:
Director of Photography: Audrey Pike
Screenplay: Jadelyn Winkler
Featuring: Jadelyn Winkler, Beth Landeche, Audrey Pike
Photo Gallery 2026 Student Silent Film Festival
