Pontiac High School English teacher Jordan Kent hosted the 4th annual Pontiac Film Festival on Friday, and the docket of creativity seems to have hit new strides.

The event showcased and celebrated films created by grade 11 students and were a component of the poetry unit within english class. Students adapted a poem into a short film applying skills and techniques they had learned in class while also learning how to analyze poetry.

“The way poetry is traditionally taught is through directed-analysis,” said Kent. “It treats poetry in a cold and tedious manner. My approach is to put the individual reaction and interpretation to the forefront.”

Kent is a member of Poetry in Voice, an online charity that “wants all Canadians to speak poetry.” Students in Kent’s class based their films on works from poets including Yi Lei (Between Strangers), Billy-Ray Belcourt (If Our Bodies Could Rust, We Would Be Falling Apart) and Eve Joseph (You knock on the door).

“It is wonderful to see the talent of students . . .

in the Pontiac. I am proud of the students and the work they put into their films. This year, our award-winning films demonstrated impressive cinematography and artistic vision,” said Kent.

“Film helps students express their reactions, voice, and ideas through their chosen poem,” Kent continued. “Students gain skills in both literary analysis, film techniques, and project management.”

At the event, hosted in the high school auditorium, top awards were handed out to: Ollie Coté for Best Story-Telling, Kianna Jolicoeur for Best Director and Landen Moore-Hodgins for Best Editing.

Additional awards went to Brianna Beaudoin for Best Artistic Vision, Megan Ratt and Jackson Knox for People’s Choice, Mo Weatherall for Best Cinematography, Meadow Narlock for Best Special Effects, and the trio of Sam Judd, Jackson Knox and Ariad McNab took home the Best Acting Award.

Some of this talent is on display on Kent’s Youtube channel at @mrjordankent and, if this is the new approach to poetry, literature may find it has new fans.

The trio (from left) of Sam Judd, Jackson Knox and Ariad McNab won the award for Best Acting, presented by teacher Jordan Kent.

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