Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, California, celebrated the launch of its first-ever Monarch Film Fest, a student-led film showcase designed to spotlight the growing talent within the school’s expanding Film and Media Arts Department. Led by department director Andrew Roberts, the festival took place on April 16, 2025, and celebrated the creative achievement across four levels of the school’s filmmaking curriculum.
“The Mater Dei Film Festival came out of the fact that we added a fourth level of filmmaking this year—Honors Level 4—and saw a real uptick in talent,” explained Roberts. “We wanted to create a way to showcase that. Other departments like visual and performing arts have their big end-of-year events, and we didn’t have something like that. So we started planning in the fall, and it all came together in April.”
The festival featured student films from all levels of the program: Filmmaking 1, Filmmaking 2, and Honors Filmmaking 3 and 4. For the program, it served as the first major platform for students to present their work in front of peers, families, administrators, and industry sponsors—including LUMIX, the festival’s marquee sponsor.
The Film and Media Arts Department, led by director Andrew Roberts, hosted and emceed the inaugural Monarch Film Fest.
A longtime advocate for hands-on learning and industry-relevant gear, Roberts credits LUMIX cameras and support as playing a major role in shaping his students’ creative development. As a LUMIX ambassador, Roberts introduced LUMIX tools into the classroom, giving students access to a professional-level shooting experience.
“I can’t thank LUMIX enough for sponsoring the festival,” said Roberts. “The cameras—from the G7 and G85 to the S9 and GH7—have shaped the way students approach their work. They’re learning how to tailor their shooting style to the camera’s capabilities, whether that’s IBIS, color science, or lens choice. They fight over the cameras when new ones arrive because they know what they like.”
The festival also served as an opportunity to reward excellence. LUMIX donated a S5IIX camera as a prize for Best Cinematography. The award went to Mateo Dawson, a standout student whose technical skills and visuals impressed faculty and judges alike. “Mateo is one of the best shooters I’ve ever worked with,” said Roberts. “His group didn’t win Best Picture, but his cinematography stood out.”
LUMIX awarded a S5IIX for Best Cinematography, won by standout student Mateo Dawson.
Each level of the program had specific expectations tied to the festival. Filmmaking 1 students created short, two-to-three-minute films with minimal dialogue. Filmmaking 2 students took on longer five-to-seven-minute projects, producing original scripts and sourcing music. Honors 3 and 4 students produced more ambitious 12- to 15-minute narrative films. The festival was structured to reflect the progression of student skills while ensuring everyone had the chance to contribute.
“We started the projects right after Christmas break, and students completed their films by the end of February,” Roberts explained. “Then they had time to refine their work before the festival. It gave every student a real goal to work toward.”
The premiere event was not only a showcase of student talent but also a moment of celebration for the entire Mater Dei community. From enthusiastic applause to emotional reactions from proud parents, the energy in the room confirmed the festival’s importance.
2025 Film Festival prize table featuring gear donated by industry partners.
“It was overwhelmingly positive,” said Roberts. “Students who didn’t win were cheering for their friends. When we announced Best Picture and the Honors 4 group won, they jumped out of their seats. Parents came up to us, some in tears, thanking us for what the program has meant to their children. And to have our entire administrative team—from the president to the assistant principals—attend and support it was huge.”
Plans for next year’s Monarch Film Fest are already in motion. The goal is to keep the event under two hours, maintain the current format, and expand participation through partnerships with other schools. Roberts and his team are also exploring opportunities to host the event in professional venues like the Culver City Arclight or even the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. The goal? To give students the red carpet experience they deserve.
“We want to give our students a professional-level premiere,” said Roberts. “For a high school kid to see their work in a real theater—rather than a multi-use room where they eat lunch—would be life-changing.”
