Phantoscope High School Film Festival 
A Brief History
The Phantoscope is an early motion picture device invented by C. Francis Jenkins. We chose Phantoscope to be the name of our Film Festival beacuse Jenkins grew up on a farm just outside of Richmond, Indiana. He was born to Quaker parents, and after country school and high school, attended Earlham College. He moved to Washington D.C. to work for the government, and eventually quit his job to work full-time developing his Phantoscope.
Jenkins claimed to show the first "movie" here in Richmond, in 1894. "Jenkins eventually left the Exposition and took one of the three phantoscopes to his brother’s wedding in Richmond, Indiana. Films were then shown at his father’s jewelry store, and according to the Richmond Daily Times, “Those fortunate enough to see them were enraptured at the wonderful and beautiful effects seen.”" (The Marvelous Electric Phantoscope) He projected dancers onto the wall, and movies for a large audience were born.
Jenkins met Thomas Armat at the Bliss School of Electricity in Washington D.C. The two joined together and, with Armat acting as a sponsor, they worked on improving the Phantoscope projector. They showed off the invention at the 1895 Cotton States and International Exposition. Soon after, they split, each claiming invention of the Phantoscope, and each continuing to make improvements to it.
In December, 1895, Jenkins showed moving pictures to a distinguished group of guests at the Franklin Institute Science Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Jenkins was awarded the 1897 Cresson Medal and the 1913 Scott Medal for his innovations in motion picture apparatus.
Armat sold his rights for the Phantoscope to his cousin, T. Cushing Daniel, and eventually they ended up in the hands of the famous inventor Thomas Edison.
Much later, in 1924 Armat wrote to the Franklin Institite and disputed Jenkins' claim of inventing the Phantoscope. Edison was also involved in the dispute. After much debate and trouble, the committee at the Institute finally rejected the protest after it examined all of the evidence. "The agreement between Armat and Jenkins concerning the Phantoscope clearly states that Armat will supply the funds and indicates, without explicitly stating, that Jenkins is the inventor. Justice Hagner's opinion in overruling the application for an injunction refers to the May, 1896, publication in "The Photographic Times" of Jenkins' description of his invention. This account pre-dates their agreement. Also included is the judge's opinion, from reading their contract, that Jenkins was the acknowledged ideas man—the inventor." The Case Files: C. Frances Jenkins; The Franklin Institute
Hence, C. Francis Jenkins is recognized as the inventor of the Phantoscope.
The Festival Mission
In conjunction with the mission of the Richmond Art Museum, the goal of the Phantoscope Indiana High School Film Festival is to be the premier high school film festival in the state. So far, Phantoscope is the only known statewide teen film festival in the State of Indiana. We want to provide an outlet for high school filmmakers so that they can grow in their artform and associate with other teen filmmakers from around the state.
By bringing together the young film enthusiasts together in one place, and providing a venue where they can show their short films on the big screen, we provide a rare opportunity that will realize one aspect of a budding director's dream of seeing and showing their work in a theater.
Awards: Grand Prize $1000 for Best Film
PHANTOSCOPE FINALISTS & AWARD WINNERS 2011:
Below is the list of finalists selected for Phantoscope which will be screened Saturday, April 30trh. Congratulations!
(Listed in alphabetical order)
Always Sprinkle Pepper (2:56), Evan Trout, J. Everett Light Career Center
(Won Award for Best Editing)
ArtPrize Effect, The (9:19), Sam Klee, Home School
(Won Awawrd for Best Documentary)
Birthday Boy (4:51), Alex Rodgers, Sheridan High School
Bunker, The (11:20), Kaitlin Martin, St. Joseph's High School
ECHS Winter Lip Dub (7:01), Chloe Anagnos, Elkhart Central High School
Hello Love (2:22), Jenna Yonker, Bluffton High School
Lady and the Champ (3:18), Evan Trout, J. Everett Light Career Center
Night of the Intruder (5:59), Jacob Guess, Wapahani High School
Shed, The (13:06) Brendan Elmore, Noblesville High School
(Won Awards for Best Film ($1000), Best Screenplay and Best Actress)
Soap (6:05), Jon Sheets, Porter County Career Center
(Won Award for Best Actor)
Strange Two (14:16), Sarah Brummer, Northridge High School
(Won Award for Best Director)
Former Participating High Schools:
Add to this list and submit your short films!
Sheridan High School
Gahanna Lincoln High School
Wapahani High School
Center Grove High School
Bluffton High School
Greensburg High School
Bluffton High School
Lawrence North High School
Brebuf Jesuit High School
Northridge High School
J. Everett Light Career Center
Porter County Careet Center
Elkhart Central High School
St. Joseph's High School
International School of Indiana
Greenfield Central High School
Richmond High School
Concord High School
Covenant Christian High School
Heritage Christian School
Castle High School
South Dearborn High School
Anderson High School
Waldron Jr./Sr. High School
Bethesda Christian School
William Henry Harrison High School (West Lafayette)
Fairfield Jr./Sr. High School
Yorktown High School
Centerville High School
Bloomington High School South
Noblesville High School
Hamilton Southeastern High School
William Henry Harrison High School (Evansville)
Plainfield High School
