And that’s a wrap! On May 11, thanks to the pro organizing of Bibliotech and the generous sponsorship of H-E-B Read 3, we did the 90-Second Newbery Film festival in San Antonio, at the swanky Tobin Center for the Performing Arts. They do things big in Texas—we had over 500 attendees at the screening! I liked how the filmmakers got to sit up front at tables, cabaret-style.

There were over 100 movies submitted, so we couldn’t show them all. Instead, Bibliotech created awards like “Best Costumes” or “Best Comedy” and chose two to five nominees, plus a winner, for each category. Most of the screening is spent in giving these awards; the only movies that are shown in their entirety the nominees for “Best Film.” Most of the winners got trophies, and the winners and runners-up for Best Film received big prize checks from H-E-B Read 3 for their school or library!

I had again as my co-host the tremendously talented, funny, and game-for-anything Nikki Loftin (author of If You Get Lost, Nightingale’s Nest, and much more). She can sing! She can dance! And she’s quick with a quip! It’s always a pleasure.

Thanks especially to Laura Cole and Carlos Sauceda of Bibliotech, and Katie Chain and Christa Aldrich of H-E-B Read 3, for making this all possible. (You think I could snag a venue like the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts on my own? Not likely.) We also had as one of our opening speakers Thomas Guevara, Chief of Staff of the Bexar County Manager. It was a real honor! Here are Laura and Katie at the top of the show:

And of course, the biggest thanks go to the young filmmakers, and the teachers, librarians, and family members who helped them along the way. So let’s check out the movies themselves!

The first-place winner of Best Film: Middle School or High School (and the winner of Best Visual Effects: Middle School or High School and Best Adaptation: Middle School or High School) was this adaptation of Bill Brittain’s 1984 Newbery Honor Book The Wish Giver by Harris Middle School Broadcast Class SAISD (Filmmakers: Champion B., Brayden E., Luis F., Seth G., Christian H., Kaylynn H., Adrian L., Sebastian M., Halen M., Luis M., Damien O., Aaron O., Christian O., Daniel O., Evelyn R. and Jayden R.):

As the judges said in part on the 90-Second Newbery website (full review here), “Excellent, funny, and inventive . . . I loved the special effect of the floating tortilla monster (shaped in a sinister way) and the panicked shots of all the kids running around in terror, and the kids getting pelted by tortillas!”

The second place winner for Best Film: Middle School or High School (and winner of Best Sound: Middle School or High School and Best Cinematography: Middle School or High School) was this adaptation of Erin Entrada Kelly’s 2018 Newbery Medal winner Hello, Universe by Cosmos Productions from Advanced Learning Academy SAISAD (Filmmakers: Juarez, Emilio, Jarehd, Sebastian, Aliana, Gabriella and Carlos):

As the judges said in part on the 90-Second Newbery website (full review here), “There was engaging, charismatic, and authentic acting throughout, from Kaori’s energetic pushiness to Valencia’s adventurousness to Chet’s gleeful cruelty to Virgil’s passivity . . . Expert cinematography, impressive editing, a great soundtrack, and a tight script all combined to make this an entertaining winner of a movie!”

The third place winner for Best Film: Middle School or High School (and winner of Best Comedy: Middle School or High School) was this adaptation of Kwame Alexander’s 2015 Newbery Medal Winner The Crossover by Keystone School of San Antonio (Team KS7):

As the judges said in part on the 90-Second Newbery website (full review here), “Hilarious . . . From the very beginning I knew it was going to be good, with its snappy introductions of J.B. and Josh, and how ridiculously bad at basketball both of them are. I laughed out loud at the funny montage of airballs and bricks over peppy music . . . I was almost disappointed whenever the basketball actually went in the hoop!”

There was an honorable mention for Best Film: Elementary School for this adaptation of Rebecca Stead’s 2010 Newbery Medal Winner When You Reach Me by Johnson Ranch Elementary of Comal ISD (Filmmakers: Faith, Ava, Conor, Noah, Andrew, Ricardo, Charlie, Collin, Sadie, Halli, Lyla, Wenceslao, Graham, Logan, and Easton):

As the judges said in part on the 90-Second Newbery website (full review here), “All the performances were funny and engaging, especially Miranda, who played it straight (and was therefore that much funnier) . . . The soundtrack music did a good job highlighting the correct emotion for each scene, too. Great work!”

The third place winner for Best Film: Elementary School (and a tied winner of Best Costumes: Elementary School) was this adaptation of Matt de la Pena’s 2016 Newbery Medal Winner Last Stop on Market Street by Cambridge Elementary of Alamo Heights ISD (Filmmakers: Ava, Sara, Caitlyn, and Emerson):

As the judges said in part on the 90-Second Newbery website (full review here), “a cute, entertaining, and accurate retelling of the story! All the performances, especially of Nana and CJ, were charismatic and engaging.”

The second place winner for Best Film: Elementary School (and winner of Best Storytelling: Elementary School) was this adaptation of Erin Entrada Kelly’s 2018 Newbery Medal Winner Hello, Universe by Clear Spring Elementary of Comal ISD (Filmmakers: Scarlett H., Jaselyn T., Kareem G., Eden M., Eden S., Delaney P., Delainee O., Lydia M., Adelaide G., Cayrenis R., Arturo F., Easton M., Mateo L. and Quintin J.):

As the judges said in part on the 90-Second Newbery website (full review here), “What a brilliant idea to tell the story from the point of view of Virgil’s pet guinea pig, Gulliver . . . A tight script, appealing performances, a fun twist, and ingenious special effects all combined with a lot of heart to make a very entertaining and satisfying movie.”

And first place for Best Film: Elementary School (and the winner of Best Cinematography: Elementary School) was this adaptation of Christopher Paul Curtis’s 2000 Newbery Medal Winner Bud, Not Buddy by Colony Meadows Elementary FBISD (Filmmakers: Rocco, Ryan, Marie, and Mrs. A.):

As the judges said in part on the 90-Second Newbery website (full review here), “The performances were all expressive and engaging, and maybe my favorite part was Bud and his grandfather’s comically slow realization that they are related . . . with results in both of them doing simultaneous Home Alone-style looks of surprise with their mouths open and hands on their cheeks. Fast, goofy, and accurate!”

I’ve already overloaded this post with lots of embedded movies, but I heartily recommend you check out these other movies that we honored at the screening:

Best Sound: Elementary School— Last Stop on Market Street by Medio Creek Elementary (Filmmakers: Zamien R., A’nyri J., Troy L., Gabreila Z., Lisa F., Jorge O., Laila B., Matthew L., Nayeli R., Zoey D., Link B., and Lilly B.)

Best Costume: Elementary School— A tie between Joyful Noise: A Tale of Two Voices by Collins Garden Gifted and Talented, SAISD (Filmmakers: Donovan A. & Jeselle S.) and Last Stop on Market Street from Cambridge Elementary, Alamo Heights ISD (Filmmakers: Ava T., Sara C., Caitlyn K., and Emerson O.).

Best Costume: Middle School and High School— Holes by the Advanced Learning Academy, SAISD (Filmmakers: Alek G., Grayson M., Joshua J., Elliot S., Blaise D., and Daniel Y.)

Best Visual Effects: Elementary School— A tie between Doll Bones from Hawthorne Academy Gifted and Talented SAISD (Filmmakers: Lily J., Anna P, Lorelei B, Sofia T., and Jaylyn R.) and Roller Girl from Foster Elementary School Gifted and Talented, SAISD (Filmmakers: Olivia, Evelynn, Malachi, and Ottis)

Best Adaptation: Elementary School— Mr. Popper’s Penguins from the Second Grade Students at Rolling Meadows Elementary, Judson ISD.

Best Animation: Elementary School— A tie between Last Stop on Market Street by Medio Creek Elementary (Filmmakers: Zamien R., A’nyri J., Troy L., Gabreila Z., Lisa F., Jorge O., Laila B., Matthew L., Nayeli R., Zoey D., Link B., and Lilly B.) and Scary Stories for Young Foxes by Colony Meadows Elementary (Filmmaker: Sophia Li)

Best Storytelling: Middle School or High School— Holes by Scobee Middle School SWISD (Filmmakers: Olivia, Charlie, Max, and Cat)

Special Achievement Award For Dual Language— Ramona Quimby, Age 8 by Five Palms Gifted and Talented, SAISD (Filmmakers: Aldo H., Nayli L., Esme M., Naomi G., Vanessa A., Alizzae S., Ryver C, Kiana M., and Jacob R.)

Special Achievement, Heart of the Library Award— Freedom Over Me by Madison Elementary Gifted and Talented, SAISD (Filmmakers: Carolina G. and Gabriella N.)

Thank you so much, San Antonio, for another wonderful year of hosting the 90-Second Newbery! I’m already looking forward to next year.