Many things can go wrong during filmmaking. So many things that there’s a term that describes it perfectly: Murphy’s Law, what can go wrong will go wrong.

However, even with all these problems that are sure to arise, filmmakers continue to strive to create something that they will eventually submit to competitions.

DTV was represented in four films at the Old Times Not Forgotten film festival at the Derby Plaza Theater on Jan. 18-19. It was the first year for the festival, which was created to honor Brett Jones, a 2019 DHS grad, who died in early 2024.

“I did a film called ‘On Tap’ that I worked on first semester,” senior Peter Harison said. “It was the biggest thing I’ve done so far. A lot went into making this into my best film, and I think that this is my best film for now. But there are a few things that I think I can do better, and I can improve on in the future.”

The students received an email that told them they were accepted into the film festival, meaning their films would be played in the Derby Plaza Theater.

“I was very excited for my film to be shown in the theater because it is a big milestone in every filmmaker’s career,” senior Aleah Jones said. “It was so cool to see it broadcast on something much bigger than the computer screen I used to put it together.”

When the time came for the award ceremony, they were all waiting in anticipation to win the Best High School Film award.

And that’s when they called out a film named, “Benched.”

“It was awesome,” said senior Joseph Hudson, who was part of “Benched.” “Getting an award for something you’ve done is amazing. It’s an accomplishment and I couldn’t be any prouder of my team and what we’ve done.”

As “Benched” was called, there was slight disappointment and sadness that rushed over the students who did not win.

But to the shock of Jones, her film won the best documentary award.

“When the time for the awards came, I was definitely nervous,” she said. “I really wanted to win Best High School Film, because that was the only award I thought I would actually have a shot at getting.

“So when they read someone else’s name, I was a little disappointed. But when they said my film for Best Documentary, I was excited and shocked all at the same time. I was the youngest documentary filmmaker at the festival, so winning Best Documentary was not what I was expecting at all. But, it is a huge honor and I am very proud that I was able to make something others saw that much value in.”

That Old Times Not Forgotten festival was a success was important to director Debbie Richert, Brett Jones’ mom.

“I’m ecstatic actually about the turn out for the festival,” she said. “I loved seeing everyone’s films, I was excited to see the high school students to see what they do in the future and see what they submit next year.”

It was special for DHS broadcast teacher Kenny Linn to be a part of the festival.

“Brett Jones was a student here at Derby High School. He was a former student of mine, and he was enrolled in the video classes from freshmen all the way through senior year. He got really into hosting the sports segment,” Linn said.