Bronx students make short film debut

1 of 9 Advertisement Director Mike Cahill shakes hands with GFS student Kayla De La Cruz. [https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2014/04/040414ghettofilm20aw.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=878] Director Mike Cahill shakes hands with GFS student Kayla De La Cruz.Anne Wermiel GFS students (from left) Tiye Amenechi, Nick Farfan, Kayla De La Cruz, Lance Thompson, Justin Carmona, Luis Santos, Tiffany Johnson, Yamel Garcia and Taina Madera celebrate the screening of their short film “Sergei” at the Paley Center for Media. [https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2014/04/040414ghettofilm14aw.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=878] GFS students (from left) Tiye Amenechi, Nick Farfan, Kayla De La Cruz, Lance Thompson, Justin Carmona, Luis Santos, Tiffany Johnson, Yamel Garcia and Taina Madera celebrate the screening of their short film “Sergei” at the Paley Center for Media. Anne Wermiel Advertisement Director Luis Quintero (center) poses with GFS students Taina Madera (left) and Tiye Amenechi on the red carpet. [https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2014/04/040414ghettofilm28aw.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=439] Director Luis Quintero (center) poses with GFS students Taina Madera (left) and Tiye Amenechi on the red carpet. Anne Wermiel Director Luis Quintero (center) poses with GFS students Taina Madera (left) and Tiye Amenechi on the red carpet. [https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2014/04/040414ghettofilm27aw.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=878] Director Luis Quintero (center) poses with GFS students Taina Madera (left) and Tiye Amenechi on the red carpet. Anne Wermiel GFS students (from left) Nick Farfan, Tiye Amenechi, Kayla De La Cruz, Taina Madera, Tiffany Johnson, Lance Thompson, Yamel Garcia and Luis Santos pose on the red carpet with President of CNN News Networks & Turner Digital Ad Sales and Marketing Greg D’Alba at the premiere of their short film “Sergei.” [https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2014/04/040414ghettofilm16aw.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=878] GFS students (from left) Nick Farfan, Tiye Amenechi, Kayla De La Cruz, Taina Madera, Tiffany Johnson, Lance Thompson, Yamel Garcia and Luis Santos pose on the red carpet with President of CNN News Networks & Turner Digital Ad Sales and Marketing Greg D’Alba at the premiere of their short film “Sergei.”Anne Wermiel Advertisement Director Mike Cahill (second from left) poses on the red carpet with GFS students (from left) Luis Santos, Taina Madera, Lance Thompson, Kayla De La Cruz, Tiye Amenechi, Tamel Garcia and Nick Farfan. [https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2014/04/040414ghettofilm23aw.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=878] Director Mike Cahill (second from left) poses on the red carpet with GFS students (from left) Luis Santos, Taina Madera, Lance Thompson, Kayla De La Cruz, Tiye Amenechi, Tamel Garcia and Nick Farfan. Anne Wermiel Advertisement Nine local students experienced the opportunity of the lifetime as their short film, “Sergei,” made its premiere at the Paley Center for Media on Thursday. The event, sponsored by 21st Century Fox, marked the culmination of the students’ 15-month immersion into cinematic storytelling through the award-winning Ghetto Film School, located in the South Bronx. Director Mike Cahill, whose film “I Origins” will be released by Fox Searchlight Pictures on July 18, introduced the film. The Ghetto Film School (GFS), founded by former Bronx social worker Joe Hall in 2000, allows local students to explore their passions for storytelling and filmmaking while simultaneously earning a high school diploma. Since its inception, over 500 young New Yorkers have received hands-on training in cinema studies.