More than 300 people attended the ninth annual Student Silent Film Festival held on Jan. 28 at the Tivoli Theatre in Downers Grove.

The festival was a film competition in which students from 12 Chicago-area high schools created original motion pictures. The movies submitted were required to tell stories in visual terms without the aid of voices or sound effects.

Three high school films were named winners for Outstanding Achievement in Cinema:

• Vernon Hills High School — Indeafinitely
• Neuqua Valley High School — King of Hearts
• Homewood-Flossmoor High School — The Silence Between Us

Other high schools that participated:

• Hillcrest High School — Witch’s Game
• Huntley High School — A Deal with Fate
• Lake Forest High School — When We Look Up
• Maine East High School — Video Killed the Radio Star
• Maine South High School — Illusion of Control
• Mundelein High School — Vanishing Act
• Oak Forest High School — Final Deal
• Tinley Park High School — Missing
• Lyons Township High School — The Master Deck

“I am continually blown away by the caliber of work these students produce,” said Ed Newmann of Hinsdale, one of three founders of the event. “The quality of the entries was outstanding, showing a mastery of visual storytelling that seems to get more impressive every year. It’s rewarding to see such a huge crowd appreciate the talent coming out of our local high schools.”

All submitted movies were shown with live music accompaniment by Derek Berg, another founder of the event. Berg is a professional pianist and CEO of the Clarendon Hills Music Academy.

For the festival, a panel of judges — all professionals in the entertainment or art education industries – selected three winners based on the quality of the story narrative, development, camera work, lighting, and editing.

Each participant will be provided with an HD digital file of their movie with the accompaniment soundtrack.

“In addition to being an incomparable experience for all the participating students,” Newmann said, “the winning filmmakers have powerful pieces of work for their portfolios.”

For information, visit studentsilentfilmfestival.org.