Our first-ever South Bay Film Fest Student Film Contest celebrates the creativity, compassion, and cinematic spirit of our local youth. Open to high school students across the South Bay, the contest invited aspiring filmmakers to explore the theme of kindness through storytelling that uplifts, inspires, and connects. All entries were to be filmed in the South Bay, showcasing not only our students’ talent, but the beauty and heart of the communities they call home.
WINNERS
First Place
Title: "Chasing Kindness"
Runtime: 4:59
Entrant: Nathan Kneller
School: Torrance South H.S.
“Chasing Kindness”
Nathan Kneller’s short film Chasing Kindness transforms the solitary act of running into a deeply communal and reflective experience. Through his connection with teammates and the stunning landscapes of the South Bay—its streets, trails, and beaches—Nathan captures the quiet beauty of movement, friendship, and place. With gentle glimpses of seagulls overhead and sunsets melting into the horizon, the film plays like a love letter to running, the bonds we build along the way, and the natural beauty of the South Bay that inspires it all.
2nd Place
Title: "That'll Be Ten Dollars"
Runtime: 3:03
Entrant: Catherine Curry
School: Torrance South H. S.
“That’ll Be Ten Dollars”
Catherine Curry’s short That’ll Be Ten Dollars is an uplifting reflection on how turning a personal disappointment into an opportunity to help someone else can transform not just one moment—but three lives. With warmth and sincerity, the film reminds us that kindness is contagious, and no gesture is ever too small to make a meaningful difference. It’s a heartening story about the ripple effect of compassion and the quiet power we each have to brighten the world around us.
3rd Place
Title: "Spinning"
Runtime: 3:55
Entrant: Caitlin Rohde
School: Torrance South H.S.
“Spinning”
Caitlin Rohde’s short film Spinning is a quiet meditation on a feeling many know all too well—the comfort of routine slowly giving way to emotional numbness and the quiet question: Is there more beyond the familiar? Through subtle storytelling, the film explores the “functional freeze” that can settle in unnoticed, until the gentle concern of friends nudges the protagonist toward re-engagement with the world. Their empathy and encouragement become a catalyst for rediscovering color, connection, and the richness of life beyond habit. It’s a poignant reminder of the transformative power of human kindness.