reported by Robert James, CyberScreenwriter.com

The incredible success of filmmaking and screenwriting workshops offered for San Diego high school students earlier this fall, conducted by the American Screenwriters Association (ASA) and the San Diego Film Festival, has resulted in an effort by educators and filmmakers to include more students, sponsors and industry professionals in the 2007 program.

Connect?The Filmmaking Experience was created by organizers of the San Diego Film Festival and the American Screenwriters Association to spark an increased interest in learning among teens by introducing them to the writing and filmmaking process.

More than 200 students from five San Diego high schools were invited to attend two full days of screenings, including student-created films, at the Pacific Theatre, and then participated in Question & Answer sessions with writers and filmmakers. The schools involved were Kearny High School?School of Digital Media and Design; San Diego High School?School of Media and Performing Arts; Point Loma High School; University City High School; and Toussaint Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Along with continuing the Connect program as a key component of the 2007 San Diego Film Festival and ASA International Screenwriters Conference, organizers plan to recruit additional industry professionals, students, and sponsors for the Connect program.

Website: www.goasa.com