At Change the Talk’s inaugural “Consent and Cinema” teen film contest and festival, senior Lauryn Uhlenberg placed first out of a total of 99 submissions.

While following her dreams, Uhlenberg has not only directed but also produced her own movie and wants to continue working with film in the future. She entered her two minute film titled “You’re a Guy” into a film festival and was awarded first place.

Change the Talk’s teen film contest was held on May 4 at at the Greenway Court Theatre in Los Angeles.  Out of 99 submissions, only about 10-15 films are chosen to be screened at the festival and first, second and third place awards are given to the winners. Uhlenberg’s award-winning film will be featured on Change the Talk’s website, social media and possibly incorporated in their educational presentations. First place was awarded with $500.

“My film is to raise awareness about sexual assault regarding males,” Uhlenberg said.

Uhlenberg’s film focuses on sexual assault and how not only women but men too can be sexually assaulted, as the aim for the festival is to raise awareness about sexual violence through forms of students’ creativity.

Change the Talk, which has made presentations at Daniel Pearl Magnet High School in the past is a peer sexual violence education program targeted toward teenagers.

“I submitted the film because sexual assault towards men is rarely talked about and is a very important topic,” Uhlenberg said.

With love and passion for the film industry running in the family, Uhlenberg has been surrounded by film all of her life, ultimately influencing her career choice.  

“My whole family is involved in the industry one way or another and it was a very natural transition,” Uhlenberg said.

Ulenberg recently committed to San Diego State University as a TV, Film and New Media Production major, which has courses for future filmmakers and those going into the movie franchise.

With the vision to edit and direct movies as a career, Uhlenberg has developed a liking toward filmmaking and wants to continue working in the film industry.

“I think she has a very unique voice and has an original way of getting through to people,” film teacher Mark Middlebrook said.