Lawrence teen filmmakers have strong showing at Focus Film Festival

Winners of the 2011 Focus Film Festival sponsored by Lawrence High School were announced Sunday afternoon at Liberty Hall.

Students from 15 high schools entered about 85 films for the contest, which was judged by a group of local film experts — Marc Havener, Jon Niccum, Tamara Falicov and Patrick Rea — as well as the Oscar-nominated director of “Winter’s Bone,” Debra Granik.

Lawrence High won several awards, with prizes going to Zoey Hearn, Megan Fleming, Bailie Richards, Tara Bryant, Ashley Kennedy, Kathryn Lunte, C.J. Roush and Clare Payne.

The complete list:

Best Science Fiction/Fantasy: “Them,” by Andy Shepherd, Olathe Northwest High School

Best Original Music Video: “Black Car,” by Robert Smith, Blue Valley C.A.P.S

Best Documentary: “Gymnastics,” by Jon Hargett, Olathe Northwest High School

Best Experimental: “The Face of The Waters,” by Zoey Hearn, Lawrence High School

Best Animation: “Storybook,” by Cedwan Hooks, Shawnee Mission North High School

Best Horror/Suspense: “Cold,” by Megan Fleming, Lawrence High School

Best Comedy: “Exposure,” by Brian Schwabauer and Kevin Sikes, Shawnee Mission South High School

Best Music Video: “Prayer of the Refugee,” by Bailie Richards, Lawrence High School

Best Drama: “At The Table,” by Zoey Hearn, Lawrence High School

Best Editing (tie): “Encounters of the Unknown,” by Robert Smith, Blue Valley C.A.P.S and “Winter Song,” by Kathryn Lunte and Clare Payne, Lawrence High School

Best Acting: Clare Payne and C.J. Roush from Lawrence High School in Megan Fleming’s film, “Tracks”

Best Cinematography: “Trapped in My Mind,” by Andrew Lovgren, Olathe Northwest High School

Best Screenplay: “Tracks,” by Megan Fleming, Lawrence High School

Fan Favorite: “Birth and Death of the Day,” by Tara Bryant and Ashley Kennedy, Lawrence High School

Best in Show: “Prayer of the Refugee,” by Bailie Richards, Lawrence High School