Future Voices Festival 2021
Congratulations to all of the 2021 Future Voices Festival film and photography winners!
Lensic Future Voices encourages middle and high school students across New Mexico to tell their stories through original photographs and short films. Guided by a team of industry experts, The Lensic provides students with the support they need to create high-quality projects that are judged in monthly contests and a year-end competition, all with cash prizes.
The 2021 Future Voices Festival was the 14th annual celebration of the top films and photographs (along with their talented creators) from our Lensic Future Voices year-end competition. In pre-pandemic times, students gathered at the Lensic for the festival and awards ceremony, but in 2021, it was held virtually, as it was in 2020. New Mexico students from nine schools submitted 28 three-minute films and 169 photos for the competition. Our panel of expert judges reviewed them all and selected the top entries in a variety of categories. We proudly present those winning films and photos below.
Please support Lensic Future Voices! This Lensic education program is funded by contributions from the community. Your tax-deductible donation encourages a new generation of creativity and self-expression, and plays an important role in the future of performing arts. To donate, please visit our Education Programs donation page. We appreciate your support.
Our 2021 Future Voices Film Winners
Animation
First Place: “A Silent Dream’s Journey,” Lucas Griego, Public Academy for Performing Arts
Second Place: “Dream Killer,” Xavier Pecastaing, Public Academy for Performing Arts
Third Place: “What Lies Within Our Dreams,” Gretchen Westphal, Public Academy for Performing Arts
Comedy
First Place: “Catching Bigfoot,” Hanah Cowles, Public Academy for Performing Arts
Second Place: “Emotionless Color,” Finnegan McKelvey, Public Academy for Performing Arts
Third Place: “My Life as a Robot,” Orion Swallows, Public Academy for Performing Arts
Experimental
First Place: “Blanket,” Cruz Davis-Martinez, New Mexico School for the Arts
Second Place: “Project Dystopia,” Mosiah Silent Walker, Public Academy for Performing Arts
Third Place: “What We See When We Dream,” Ethan Woodall, Public Academy for Performing Arts
Narrative
First Place: “Plastic Nightmare,” Jude Smith-Van Winkle, Public Academy for Performing Arts
Second Place: “Dream World,” Brielle Nagyvary, Public Academy for Performing Arts
Third Place: “M.A.D.,” Akira Braga, Public Academy for Performing Arts
Our 2021 Future Voices Photography Winners
Animals
First Place: Lauren Mudge, Mandela International Magnet School
Second Place: Robin Ratcliff, Santa Fe Prep
Third Place: Veronica Silva, New Mexico School for the Arts
Honorable Mention: Hope Trujillo, Mandela International Magnet School
Architecture
First Place: Maya Stolz, Public Academy for Performing Arts
Second Place: Everett Raucci, Media Arts Collaborative Charter School
Third Place: Destiny Ruiz, Public Academy for Performing Arts
Honorable Mention: Erin Meehan, Media Arts Collaborative Charter School
Black and White
First Place: Fernando Pizano, New Mexico School for the Arts
Second Place: Marcus Crockett, Mandela International Magnet School
Third Place: Collin Alsop, Santa Fe Prep
Honorable Mention: Jadyn Taylor, Mandela International Magnet School
Color
First Place: Samantha Trujillo, New Mexico School for the Arts
Second Place: Nandita Ganesan, Santa Fe Prep
Third Place: Jayden Garcia, Public Academy for Performing Arts
Honorable Mention: Ella Seckler, New Mexico School for the Arts
Humor
First Place: Caroline Moore, Santa Fe Prep
Second Place: Mitchell Grover, Santa Fe Prep
Third Place: Emily Malvig, Mandela International Magnet School
Honorable Mention: Marcus Crockett, Mandela International Magnet School
Landscape
First Place: Jesse Merchant, Mandela International Magnet School
Second Place: Samuel Johnston, New Mexico School for the Arts
Third Place: Andrew Smith, Santa Fe Prep
Honorable Mention: Sasha Masek, Media Arts Collaborative Charter School
Manipulated
First Place: Genesi Sedillo, New Mexico School for the Arts
Second Place: Nat Colon, Media Arts Collaborative Charter School
Third Place: Martin Bechtel, Mandela International Magnet School
Honorable Mention: Allani Jiron, Taos High School
Most Original
First Place: Exxie Putney, Mandela International Magnet School
Second Place: Samantha Trujillo, New Mexico School for the Arts
Third Place: Megan Odom, Mandela International Magnet School
Honorable Mention: Nandita Ganesan, Santa Fe Prep
Portrait
First Place: Clara Hansen Munro, Media Arts Collaborative Charter School
Second Place: Joaquin Bas, Santa Fe Prep
Third Place: Jadyn Taylor, Mandela International Magnet School
Honorable Mention: Colbie Boyd, Media Arts Collaborative Charter School
Street
First Place: Estrella Ortiz, Santa Fe Prep
Second Place: Elise Lopez, Public Academy for Performing Arts
Third Place: Bayan Khweis, Taos High School
Honorable Mention: Maya Stolz, Public Academy for Performing Arts
Special Thanks
A huge thank you to the dedicated team that makes the Future Voices Festival happen each year!
- Marcella Ernst, Future Voices Program Manager
- Reid Callanan and Santa Fe Photographic Workshops
- Jonathan Lowe and Video Magic
Thanks to ALL of the students and teachers who participate in the Future Voices Festival and our monthly photo and film contests.