HDSB students recognized for creativity and technical excellence at 22nd annual Halton Student Film Festival

More than 200 students, families, staff and community members gathered at the FirstOntario Arts Centre in Milton on May 11, 2026 for the 22nd annual Halton Student Film Festival, known across the HDSB as The Eddies.

Open to all HDSB secondary students, the festival celebrates student achievement in filmmaking and media arts while giving young creators the opportunity to share their stories on the big screen. This year’s festival received more than 120 film submissions, judged by professionals from the film and television industry, with awards presented across 10 genre categories and eight technical categories.

Throughout the evening, students from eight HDSB secondary schools were recognized for their work in directing, editing, cinematography, animation, screenwriting and sound design. Winning films were screened for the audience, showcasing a wide range of genres and storytelling styles.

"The Eddies provides an opportunity for our secondary students to use their creativity and technical skills to create compelling cinematic stories that are celebrated by their peers, families and the community," says Tiffany Olmsted, Specialist High Skills Majors Co-Lead for the Halton District School Board. "By engaging local industry experts as judges, we not only amplify the incredible talent emerging from our schools but also deepen relationships between our students and the community, which is fundamental to the HDSB's commitment to Kindness, Connection and Community."

Among the students recognized during the festival was Nelson High School Grade 12 student Lily Agnew, whose group film 5 Steps from Gold, earned first place in the Action/Adventure category.

“Honestly I was shocked to get first,” says Lily. “My favourite part of the process was probably just the people… being able to make films with such passionate people.”

Lily also contributed to Rewind, which won the Suspense/Horror category, and Clutter, which earned first place in the Comedy category.

Fellow Nelson High School student Jacob Birch also found success at this year’s festival, earning first place for both the aforementioned film Clutter and for his film Culture PSA. After not placing at the festival the previous year, Jacob says the recognition felt especially meaningful.

“This year, I submitted four films and told myself I would be happy to have at least one top placement,” says Jacob. “Now, I have been awarded podium placements for three of them, two of which placed first in their respective categories.”

Birch says The Eddies fosters creativity and imagination: “The Eddies doesn’t just reward the best film, it rewards the time and effort put into it.” 

The evening concluded with the presentation of the Palme D’Eddie grand prize, which comes with $1,000 donated by Cogeco. 

The honour was awarded to student filmmaker Zayna Alajrami for the documentary Rise and Return: 2000s Alt-Rock. The film also placed first in the Documentary category, which earned her an additional $500 bursary from the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation (OSSTF). Zayna also won four technical awards, including Editing, Graphics, Screenplay and Sound. 

“The biggest inspiration behind Rise and Return: 2000s Alt-Rock honestly came from my love for music,” says Zayna. “This documentary came about as a passion project.”

The film explored the cultural impact and resurgence of 2000s alternative rock through archival footage, interviews and stylized visual effects. Zayna says one of the project’s biggest challenges was researching and writing about cultural moments that took place before she was born.

“I turned to the internet and spent a lot of time researching in order to create a story that is not only historically accurate, but also did the culture justice.”

While winning the festival’s top prize was memorable, Zayna says the most meaningful part of the experience was hearing from students who connected with the film after the screening, some of whom were brought to tears.

“It meant so much to me to have put so much of myself into this project and then see it find its audience,” says Zayna.

She also encouraged aspiring filmmakers to begin creating and sharing their work, regardless of experience level.

“Make things. It doesn’t matter how small they are,” she says. “Pick up a phone/camera, write on paper, watch some of your favourite films to get inspiration and find a story you want to tell.”

The Eddies is a collaborative effort involving students and staff from across the HDSB. Catering for the event was provided by the Hospitality program at Craig Kielburger Secondary School, while the festival’s promotional poster was designed by Garth Webb Secondary School student Talha Khan, winner of the annual design contest.

This year’s festival also included a special recognition for retiring Milton District High School teacher Edward Brunato, who was honoured for his many years of dedication to The Eddies and student filmmaking programs. Brunato shared an inspiring message with students, encouraging them to continue creating and sharing their work, because they will eventually find their audience.

Before the awards ceremony began, Superintendent Tara Connor congratulated students and reflected on the significance of the festival in supporting future creative pathways: “From directing and editing to cinematography, sound, animation and screenwriting, the level of talent represented this evening is truly impressive. It’s exciting to think that tonight’s festival may represent the beginning of future careers and opportunities for some of the students here with us this evening.”