Big Winners at Cutler’s Film Awards

Bereft of the usual suspects of glitzy Hollywood award shows (no sign of Joan Rivers here), Cutler Middle School celebrated its fifth annual Terry Awards Wednesday—a tribute in honor of late English teacher, Terry Purcell. 

A sizable crowd gathered at the Olde Mistick Village Art Cinemas Wednesday evening to hear the results of a six-month-long process, in which students write and produce their own five-minute films. 

The Terrys were created by Cutler alumni, brothers Jason and Peter Filardi—now established screenwriters with titles like 17 Again and Bringing Down the House touting their success - and their former classmate Pete Stone. 

“We all like to give back and we all have great memories of Cutler,” Stone, now a Hollywood agent, at the start of the process. “This [was] our opportunity.”

Sixty scripts were submitted for Terry consideration, with 12 continuing on to production and five screened at the award ceremony. Students were given access to editing and screenwriting seminars provided by volunteer teachers throughout the process. 

“Tonight is not only a celebration of student filmmakers and student writers,” said Jason Filardi during the ceremony, “but also of inspired teachers who put in the extra effort for the kids and who make this possible.” 

“The screenplays have improved incredibly just this year,” language arts teacher Betsy Iiams, told the audience.

“Each script had its own singular voice,” Filardi said. “They were a real pleasure to read and a real window into [the] imagination.” 

Jacob Franklin’s Star Wars-themed comedy-action film, The Modern Assassin, was both a crowd-favorite and the night's take-away hit, garnering three awards, including Best Fight and Best Character Actor.

Still, it was Katie Grant’s Dear Diary that took the coveted Best Picture award.

“We thought it was a cohesive piece,” said Peter Filardi. “It was structurally innovative, its technical aspects were clear, we liked how it dealt with time, and it had a good message. It was the overall package.” 

“[It was] kind of unexpected,” said Diary actress, Shea Berry, “because the movie was last minute. We were still producing it the day it was due.” 

This year’s Terry Awards echoed lessons from the man lending his name: hard work and big dreams pay off. 

Meanwhile, Bill Dougherty, owner of Olde Mistick Village Art Cinemas, offered this  sage advice to the audience of young filmmakers: “Don’t ever give up…if that’s what you want to do, don’t ever give up. It took me twenty years to fulfill [my] lifelong dream.”

Award Recipients: 

Honorable Mention (Unproduced Screenplay):

Any Given Chance

Compass

Win

She’s Just an iPhone Away

Absently Present

Best Unproduced Screenplay:

3rd: Switcheroo

2nd: Friend, There is No Such Thing 

1st: Homeless

Honorable Mentions (Produced Screenplay):

Squeal 

The Modern Assassin 

Best Produced Screenplay:

3rd: 17 Again, Again 

2nd: Dear Diary 

1st: Schools in Motion 

Best Villain: Brian Brown

Best Fight: Jacob Franklin, Alec Franklin, Cameron Wilhelm, Nick Fairbank, and Noah Glemboski, The Modern Assassin

Best Experimental Film Award: Matt Noack, Life of Tom

Best Disaster Film: Emma Stark and Melissa Tovar, Paper Shortage

Best Supporting Actress: Michela Poppick, Hours

Best Supporting Actor: Jacob Kowalski, Squeal

Best Character Actor: Alec Franklin, The Modern Assassin

Best Acting by a Teacher: Linda Cady, 17 Again, Again

Best Actress: Olivia Johnson, Keep Your Enemies Closer 

Best Actor: Finnian O’Conner, Schools in Motion

Best Director: Olivia Johnson, Keep Your Enemies Closer

Best Picture: Dear Diary