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The 2025 Film Festival, sponsored by Film School 4 Teens and Northwest Christian School, was a huge success with 35 entries (keep reading to see the names of all the finalists). There were films about time travel, family holidays and hidden messages and all of them represented the skills taught in many of the courses found at Film School 4 Teens.
The one filmmaker who stood out this year, winning in two categories, was Rilian Cutretra. The thing that made Rilian’s film most popular with both the judges and the audience was the incredible use of special effects and his suspenseful soundtrack. His short film is about a teenage superhero who must go back in time to enlist the help of a younger version of himself to fight an evil Lego robot. This movie is full of non-stop action, Hollywood-style special effects, and suspense and is carried along by an amazing soundtrack. How did this 8th grader from Utah pull this off?
To learn more about the story of the life and times of Rilian Cutretra, FS4T caught up with him to get some tips and find out what makes him an amazing filmmaker. The following is an interview with this very talented artist.
Tell me about yourself.
I am fourteen years old, and I live in a small town near Salt Lake City. I have been homeschooled my entire life so far, and besides making movies, I have been practicing for ninja warrior-style competitions and love to do that as a hobby.
How did you first get interested in making films?
It started with a little video I made called “The Jewels of Endor" when I was about 9 years old. It was a story about about three kids versus an evil bandit. I really love the time travel theme and so that is what I incorporate a lot into my movies. After that first film, I started making more short movies, and after I took the Film School 4 Teens Intro to Filmmaking course, I was hooked.
What was the inspiration behind this film?
It all started with the Lego robot I made, and then I wanted to make a film about it. It all took off from there. I wanted to do more work with green screen and this one allowed me to use that method on this film. And, of course, it had to be a superhero movie.
What was it about the FS4T filmmaking course that helped you with this project?
In my Intro to Filmmaking course I took, it was the part about the screenplay that helped me the most with this film. I learned how to put the screenplay together in order to create the blueprint for my movie. There were a lot more things I learned, but that is what helped me most. I am also looking forward to the composition course I will be taking next from Filmmakers Edge.
What is your favorite part about filmmaking?
My favorite part about filmmaking is to see people laugh when they watch my movies. I hope that people will really enjoy it. I also like editing. I pull in a lot of my effects from various websites, and the same for the soundtrack. I also like directing, but this movie was just myself… and the tripod, of course. The one thing that I mostly dislike is the preproduction. I know it is important, but I don't like it as much.
How has your family supported you in this effort
My family is very supportive. I have enlisted them to help me in my movies but the latest thing I did was have them watch the Acting for the Screen course by FS4T. We are doing that course together as a family (which is so fun!). Mostly my mom is the one that drives me around to the various locations. One time, she took me to a spot in the middle of the night in order for me to make the deadline for the movie, which was due the next day.
What are some other projects that you have created?
I am working on a new film about a boy who gets hit by a meteor and gets the power to fly. I have also created a few action films where we do a lot of sword fighting and stunts like that.
How do you get ideas for your projects?
It is actually kind of random. I just keep a notebook handy so that when I get an idea or see something I want to do in a movie, I just write it down. I then go over my ideas to see if I can create something out of them.
What do you see yourself doing with this in the future?
In the future, I would like to do more directing. I would like to be a director someday. I would also like to enter my films in more competitions. I have a few that I am thinking about entering some of my films in.
What advice do you have for other inspiring young filmmakers?
The number one thing I would say is that you should glorify God with your work. That is very important to me. I also would say that it is important to have many “cuts” in your scenes. I learned that switching the camera angles helps move the story along and is more interesting to the audience. It helps to make the film look more professional. That was something I had to learn along the way, but it has made a huge difference in the way I make movies.
Click on the image to watch Rilian’s film
Other Winners From the NXNW Film Festival 2025
Jury Award Winners
1st place: PARADOX - Rilian Cutrera
2nd Place: OPERATION: BEST BIRTHDAY EVER - Priya Schneider
3rd Place: THE PAST IS THE PAST - Chanel Valdez
Audience Award Winners
1st Place: THE PAST IS THE PAST - Chanel Valdez
2nd Place: HIDDEN MESSAGES - Ethan Lopez
3rd Place: PARADOX - Rilian Cultrera
For more information about how you can become the next NXNW Film Festival winner, visit the FS4T website and browse the online course catalog.
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