For 15 years, Bunbury Grammar teacher Mr Glen Strindberg has helped young filmmakers turn ideas into stories for the big screen through the Cinesnaps program. This year, his longstanding commitment to students and the festival has been recognised with the Cinesnaps Teacher Award, an honour he has now received three times.
Mr Strindberg has been involved with Cinesnaps since its very beginning, when a BCGS student won the inaugural student film competition.
“One of our students won the very first student film competition, which was an exciting start for our school,” Mr Strindberg said. “I was drawn to the opportunity for young filmmakers in the South West to tell their stories and have their work seen beyond the classroom.”
Since then, he has supported many students through the process of developing an idea, filming, editing and ultimately seeing their work screened for an audience.
For Mr Strindberg, that process starts by finding the part of an idea that genuinely excites the student.
“Once we have that, we work backwards: what story are they trying to tell, and which filming and editing techniques will help them tell it?” he said.
“My role is to help them shape the idea while making sure the finished film still feels like theirs.”
Over the years, a number of Bunbury Grammar student films have enjoyed success through Cinesnaps. Mr Strindberg recalls Lauren O’Donovan’s winning entry as a particularly memorable beginning for the School, while Ethan Tomlinson’s Reception made an impact on the big screen. James Forster’s winning film, which told the story of a brother honouring his late brother’s final wish, also left a lasting impression.
While the competition results are worth celebrating, Mr Strindberg says some of the most valuable outcomes extend well beyond filmmaking itself.
Students have the opportunity to meet industry professionals, receive feedback on their work and experience what it is like to watch an audience respond to something they have created.
“Just as importantly, they gain confidence,” Mr Strindberg said. “Cinesnaps helps students see that growing up in a regional community does not limit what they can create or where their talent might take them.”
Receiving the Cinesnaps Teacher Award for the third time recognises Mr Strindberg’s commitment to supporting students and his contribution to the festival across its 15-year history.
Congratulations, Mr Strindberg, on this well-deserved recognition and on continuing to encourage the next generation of Bunbury Grammar storytellers and filmmakers.