Dawson Student Films, a program under Innovative Youth Development Inc, had its inaugural premiere May 14 at the Holly Theater in Dahlonega. 

Films created by both Riverview, Dawson County Middle school students and Dawson County High School opened that night.   

Students experienced the excitement of making a real film and learning leadership, teamwork and cooperation skills necessary to be successful, according to producer Deven Mattheus.    

“It’s all about teaching them life skills,” he said. “The fact that we have a really great film at the end of the process makes it that much more rewarding.”  

The high school film “Stranded” was written and directed by senior Jonathan Fountain, president of the high school film club chapter. 

“The project idea started as a parody of the TV series Lost then I realized  we had the potential to make a serious film,” said Fountain.  

Also premiering were three films made for the middle schools.  

“The students really surprised me with all the additional work they wanted to put into the extra features for the DVD,” said Mattheus.

For more information, go to www.dawsonstudentfilms.com or call Deven Mattheus at (404) 680-7729 or deven@dawsonstudentfilms.com.