La Grande Summer Film Project Concludes with Collaborative Screening

On Friday, August 16, the final screening of a collaborative film created during The La Grande Summer Film Project took place at HQ in La Grande. The event provided an opportunity to reflect on the process and practicalities that went into the two-week project, with each participant sharing how they contributed to the film’s creation.

The project, designed to foster team-building and creative filmmaking, aimed to connect aspiring media makers with the local community through a fun and educational program. Although the initial turnout for the kick-off event was smaller than anticipated, the dedicated group committed to seeing the project through—no matter the outcome.

Participants Bennett Grey, Nicholas Jennings, Colin Hickey-Yeates, and festival director Christopher Jennings collaborated to create the short experimental documentary Smoke Gets in Your Eyes. The film featured stop-motion animation by 10-year-old Colin, stunning landscape videography by Grey, and interviews from Pendleton, Oregon, courtesy of Nicholas Jennings. The group met in person several times a week to piece together film clips, discuss the story’s direction, make key decisions, and then break out for individual assignments.

The project culminated in the final presentation and a discussion about the experience. Watch the short film below:

The La Grande Summer Film Project offers an opportunity for creative community members to connect, explore meaningful subjects, and collaborate on shared themes and ideas through video, film, and media. It strengthens the creative bonds within the community and provides a platform for participants to express collective sentiments and share them with an audience.

A special thanks to the Roundhouse Foundation, Oregon Film, #OregonMade Creative Foundation, Soroptimist International of La Grande, and Blue Summit Realty for their support of the project and their encouragement to grow the arts, industry, and community in Eastern Oregon.