A Pebble Hills High School student is making big waves after she was named a finalist in the 2023 UIL Young Filmmakers Festival.
Arianna Frias, a senior at Pebble Hills, was one of six finalists in the statewide competition.
“I was so happy, appreciative and excited that even one person would like something that I had made,” Frias said. “The fact that it’s gone this far is crazy to me. I think if my younger self knew I was accomplishing these things she would be so proud.”
Frias has been enrolled in the audio/video class at Pebble Hills with teacher Benjamin Munguia since her sophomore year.
Munguia said he saw Frias’ immense potential as a filmmaker during her first year in his class and even more so when he viewed her latest, award-winning video.
"I have been Arianna's video production teacher for the past three years, and it has been such a joy to watch her skill level advance to the point now where she is gaining recognition at the state level,” Munguia said.
Frias said she has learned a lot about filmmaking, especially about creating projects that she is passionate about.
The plot of her film was something close to her heart, which she said helped the process be a lot smoother because it was done on her own terms and without the intention of being perfect.
Her short film’s storyline revolves around two sisters who are at odds but when they suddenly lose their parents, they have to learn to overcome the tragedy they are facing together.
Frias said the idea for the film was inspired by her and her own little sister’s relationship growing up and her mother’s words of wisdom to stay close because they only have each other.
Her hope is that the film will also serve as a reminder for her little sister that though she will be moving away for college she will always be there for her.
Frias will be attending the New York Film Academy in the fall after high school graduation. Her hope is to become a director one day.
“She has an uncanny ability to show the beauty of everyday life in her videos and films, and she is definitely destined for bigger and better things in the future,” Munguia said. “I can't wait till we are watching her films on the big screen in a movie theater!"
Frias has been interested in film since a young age. She said when some kids were asking for toys, she was asking for her first camera.
“When I was younger, I didn’t realize how important film would be to me but as you grow up you change, you meet different people. For me, the one thing that stayed was film,” Frias said. “I loved making films since I was little, so I knew it had to mean something.”
She traveled to Austin in February to compete in the state competition, where she placed fourth overall.
Watch Frias’ award-winning video here.
Published April 4, 2023
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