Phantoscope Indiana High School Flim Festival 
A Brief History
The Phantoscope is an early motion picture device invented by C. Frances 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, 1985, Jenkins showed moving pictures to a distinguished group of guests at the Franklin Institute Science Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Jenkins was awarded the 1987 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. ustice 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. Frances Jenkins is recognized as the inventor of the Phantoscope.
The Festival Mission
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 $500 for Best Film
New for 2009:
Best Director
Best Actor
Best Actress
Best Screenplay
Best Editing
Former Participating High Schools:
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
Fairfield Jr./Sr. High School
Yorktown High School
Centerville High School
