The Upper Columbia Conference was well represented at the 2009 SonScreen Film Festival held April 16–18. There were three entries from Walla Walla University, and two of the seven entries from Southern Adventist University were submitted by Phillip Sherwood, an alumnus of Upper Columbia Academy.
Carl Canwell of Walla Walla University won the Music Video award, receiving $250 for "The Gospel." Phillip Sherwood received the Comedy award and $250 for "Skin Tight."
SonScreen is held annually at the Adventist Media Center, AMP Studios, in Simi Valley, Calif. This year's attendance was significantly higher than the previous year. An overflow crowd spilled out of Studio B on Friday night.
Not in the running was a special showing of an unprecedented documentary series, Stained Glass. This series shows the pulse of a church and how congregations define their role in the 21st century and will become available at the Church Resource Center at www.vervent.org.
The Best in Fest Sonny Award Winner went to Adam Buck from Southern Adventist University. Traditionally only students receive awards at SonScreen but next year a category will open up for professionals.
A complete list of this year's awards is available at www.sonscreen.com. SonScreen is sponsored by the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists.
