- Now without further ado, the creators of the Next Generation Storytellers, Trent Garrett and Jacob Young.

(audience applauds and cheers) - One of the silver linings of COVID was normalizing platforms like Zoom and Google Meet.

And so we found for the first time a pathway, an opportunity to connect Hollywood to hometowns, and we started right here in Hampton Roads, my hometown.

- We're beyond thrilled to be here tonight celebrating the incredible talent of these young filmmakers.

- We created a 24-week curriculum on how to make a movie.

First eight weeks is a screenwriting program, and then the next 16 weeks we go through cinematography, camera operating, sound design, sound mixing, all the way through production assistance.

And then at the end of the 24 weeks, we make their movie, bring it to life.

We started Next Gen with one mission, to elevate those voices that are too often unheard, unseen, and underestimated.

- And tonight is the proof that the future of filmmaking is in great hands.

- We working with Hampton City Schools, Newport News Public Schools, three different Charleston County school districts, and Christopher Newport University, which is the Ferguson Center where we're at right now.

They gifted their beautiful venue for our film festival.

- Acting is one of the most challenging parts of filmmaking.

It requires stepping into a character's shoes and bringing them to life on screen, and that's what these young actors have done so well.

(audience applauds and cheers) - When I wrote this, I had to face the fact that my dreams actually might be possible.

Thank you.

(audience applauds) - High school students don't really have that much of a voice, so I feel like this is a great opportunity to tell a story of a part of society that's not really talked about as much.

- Every experience we learn from, so it's beautiful to see the power of your point of view.

Don't ever lose that.

(audience cheers) - Originally I was just looking into acting on stage, but now it's truly given me a chance to see what being in a film is like.

So this is genuinely something I'm considering now soon.

- If you're a young aspiring actor, you're told, "Oh, you gotta go to LA.

You gotta go to New York."

With this program, you don't need to go anywhere, and that's just incredible.

Thank you.

(audience applauds) - When we saw it on the screen, it was just crazy because we made that.

We were the actors or directing, and it was just such a cool experience.

- I am thrilled to announce the recipient of the very first Christopher Newport University Next Generation Storytellers Scholarship, Antonio Pitts.

(audience cheers and applauds) (audience continues cheering) (no audio)