Representing the MAPS Media Institute out of Hamilton, “Browning Rising Voices” and “Art for Survival” tied in the Short Form Non-Fiction category, while Browning’s “Aisitsimsta/Imagination” earned the Short Form Fiction award, according to a press release. The Montana groups earned awards among a record number of entries in the High School Student Production competition from the region, which includes Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington. “Student work continues to impress the judges and the level of competitiveness significantly increases each year,” said Clare Ann Harff, MAPS Executive Director, in the release. “To have MAPS students win three awards is a tremendous honor and a testament to the next generation of Montana’s filmmakers. MAPS is proud to mentor these dynamic young artists and provide the creative opportunities and professional experiences to help bring their stories to life.” “Aisitsimsta/Imagination” is a narrative film by Browning middle and high school students put together in five days as a part of MAPS Montana GEAR Up workshop on the Blackfeet Reservation. It was directed by Mecca Bullchild. “Our message was to inspire not only ourselves about thinking about our futures but for other students to never stop dreaming,” Bullchild said in the release. “In working with MAPS, I learned about all of the different roles in filmmaking –like director, actor, and scriptwriter. My favorite part was learning about the cameras, because I like photography and realized how important they are to making movies, like having the right angles and lighting.” “Browning Rising Voices” featured students in the poetry program at Browning High, with students performing spoken-word pieces. The mini-documentary featured students in their writing processes and performances along with vignettes. “The film artfully demonstrates the strength and importance of their stories,” the release states. “As student Hallie Hendersen wrote for the film, ‘The Seventh Generation is here, and coming on strong.’” “Art for Survival” tells the story of an after-school program at the Holter Museum of Art in Helena. The documentary featured students expressing what it’s like to be a teenager in today’s society, as well as investigating “the stresses that can lead to anxiety and depression, and how to safely share powerful emotions in a communal setting.”