SYRACUSE — In the five years since opening its Academy at Syracuse Studios in Liverpool’s old high-school building, American High has made more than a dozen full-length films and had a hand in several others.
Several have even been screened at prestigious festivals such as Sundance and South by Southwest.
Last Saturday, Oct. 15, the Syracuse International Film Festival (SIFF) recognized American High’s impressive output by bestowing its top award — the Sophia — to chief executive officer Jeremy Garelick and head of production Will Phelps.
Named for legendary actress Sophia Loren, the Sophia is awarded to filmmakers for outstanding creative achievements in the world of independent cinema. Past recipients include Bobcat Goldthwait, Grace Jones, Giancarlo Esposito, Oren Lyons, Ron Perlman, Rob Reiner and Jerry Stiller.
Phelps accepted the award at the festival’s finale at the Marriott Syracuse Downtown, but Garelick was unable to attend the awards ceremony.
“The festival was great,” Phelps said afterwards. “And it was fun to see so many people supporting film in Syracuse.”
The 19th annual film fest featured 33 films and short films from around the world, including movies shot in Central New York. One was “Crush,” an offbeat coming-of-age comedy that depicts a budding relationship between two high-school girls.
“Crush” was shot as American High coordinated the collaboration with four other professional production companies. At the film festival, “Crush” was screened on Saturday afternoon at the ExploraDome, the updated digital planetarium at the MOST (Museum of Science and Technology) in Armory Square.
“A special video message from the director, Sammi Cohen, played beforehand,” Phelps said.
Following the film, Phelps helmed a panel discussion also featuring aspiring actress and American High staffer Axelle Azoulay.
Many Syracuse University students get jobs at American High after graduation
“A job like that keeps past students in the area, as opposed to relocating to places like L.A.,” according to Syracuse International Film Festival President John Ginty.
The hands-on approach has long-run benefits.
“They’re seeing things from a different angle and a different perspective, especially with the technology, social media,” Ginty observed. “So, a lot of that is informing how they shoot and why they shoot and how the story evolves.”
At age 46, Garelick is an accomplished screenwriter and director. Over the years, he has worked on blockbuster comedies such as “The Break Up,” “The Hangover” and “The Wedding Ringer.”
Last year, he directed Vince Vaughn starring in “The Binge.”
Garelick’s longtime production partner, Will Phelps, earned credits as producer for a dozen American High projects including “Big Time Adolescence,” “Looks that Kill” and “Crush.” Phelps is the executive producer of “I Love My Dad” and “Empire Waist.”
The 2022 film festival kicked off Oct. 12, with screenings at venues such as the Marriott Syracuse Downtown, as well as ArtRage Gallery, the Jewish Community Center and ExploraDome.
