AHFP

AHFP students explore African American History

AHFP Students Explore African American History

Students Explore –

This feature-length compilation of AHFP student films on African American History includes the red carpet reception and TV interviews after films debuted at our film festival. It explains the mission of the American Hostory Film Project as a non-profit organization as well as how students can turn their AHFP projects into formal documentaries for other competitions, Virginia History Day as an example. When students connect with local elders, it makes history fun. Documentaries or docu dramas for other competitions may qualify for AHFP recognition if they also explore stories in local history.

The Gaspee Affair

The Gaspee Affair” takes place in 1772 when Rhode Island colonists angry with the British burned a British ship, the Gaspee, trying to catch smugglers avoiding British taxes. Three Tiverton Middle School students created this film in 2022 for Rhode Island History Day’s junior division and parents signed permission to submit this also for recognition of local history coverage for American History Film Project. This will be added to our digital map of local history topics and shown at our next public film exhibition. 

By: James Farias, Angela Koerner, Aleyda McQuade, Students of Tiverton Middle School

Improving Communication Through Mail

Joseph William Briggs and the Free City Delivery
By sisters Aanya Lakireddy and Siya Lakireddy

This film outlines the importance of the postal mail in the state of Ohio.

American Hero, Virginia

Rediscovering American History Through Young Eyes

Jeremiah Brown from Ravensworth Elementary School in Annandale, Virginia. and Cavon Dickson of Lake Braddock High School filmed a powerful production by the Female Reenactors of Distinction (F.R.E.E.D.) at George Mason Regional Library in Annandale retelling the black experience in the American south during the time of the Civil War.

Everyone needs to feel significant as an individual, yet connected to something larger. As students learn about and take pride in their local history, they realize their importance as members of a community and its connection to our nation. The American History Film Project works to make that connection daily in the lives of students. The American History Film Project (AHFP) is a multi-disciplinary educational project that teaches students to write, plan, act, film and edit a short film about the history of their local community, then share it with other students across the US. By taking part in this project, students learn that many important and memorable events happened in their community, making them feel important and a part of the whole.

2020 – A Year We Will Never Forget

2020 is the year we’ll never forget.

Tell us how COVID-19 has affected your community and compare it with other national crisis, the Spanish flu, the Great Depression, AIDS. You can even interview a senior citizen who has lived through these hard times.

For more info please click on How to Submit Your Film.

Submitted by: Mary Hilbrink, Former Student Filmmaker
Grade: H.S. Senior 

The Legend of the Lost Dutchman Mine: What Happened After He Died

A historical reenactment about Jacob Waltz, his death, and what happened after. The comedic dramatization was researched, performed, and written by third grade students on location at Superstition Mountain Museum.”

Submitted by: Jacob Waltz
Grade: 3rd
School: Desert Vista Elementary
Teacher: Gina Fraher
Class Blog: Fraher's Class and Friends
Class Website: Mrs. Fraher's Class
A One Sided Compromise - Virginia

A One-Sided Compromise

Segregation vs. integration? The state of Virginia had to decide about complying with the federal laws requiring integration. Watch how the question of integration not only shaped the nation, but Virginia, and specifically Fredericksburg.