Sequim Education Foundation is gearing up for its third-annual Student Film Festival competition on April 18 at the Sequim High School Performing Arts Center.

The public is invited to an evening of fun and excitement as student films are shown and winners announced.

The SEF Film Festival Competition is open to all middle and high school students enrolled in Sequim School District. An independent panel of judges will decide the first-, second- and third-place winners on the basis of creativity, academic or educational value, and demonstrated technical ability in video production. Bonus points will be awarded for original music.

The theater audience will choose the video receiving the "People’s Choice Award."

College scholarships up to $1,000 will be awarded to first-place winning video production team members. Second- and third-place winners will receive scholarships to a maximum value of $750 and $500, respectively. Cash prizes also will be given to winners.

"It’s very thrilling that Sequim Education Foundation has created a venue for showcasing the creativity of local public school students," Film Festival chairwoman Elna Kawal said.

Foundation officals ask those who want to help young filmmakers with their craft to support them by attending the film festival, by donating equipment to help students make films, by supporting the foundation financially or by working with the foundation’s film festival committee.

Along with the film festival, the parent-teacher organizations of Sequim’s two elementary schools are sponsoring a family dinner event called "An Evening in Italy" at the Sequim High School cafeteria, 601 N. Sequim Ave.

For more information, call Kawal at 683-3027, SEF president Dick Hughes at 460-7465 or see www.sequimeducationfoundation.org.

SEF Student Film Festival Competition

What: Viewing of student-created short films as youths compete for cash prizes

When: 7 p.m., Friday, April 18

Where: Perfoming Arts Building auditorium, 533 N. Sequim Ave.