Student Film Contest Brings Together Dallas Philanthropists for a Good Cause

Fay and Brian Lidji with their puppy | Elli el-Effendi, Leslie el-Effendi, Forrest el-Effendi Connell

Dallas philanthropists Fay and Brian Lidji opened their home to local leaders and donors to support the Healthy Futures of Texas (HFTX) 9th Annual Student Film Contest. The film contest empowered area high school students to share their perspectives on the connection between mental health and sexual health.

Leslie el-Effendi and her daughters, Forrest el-Effendi Connell and Ellie el-Effendi, co-chairs of the 9th Annual Student Film Contest, recognized the film contest’s contributors during the event.

“I want to thank those individuals who laid the groundwork for the success of this year’s Student Film Contest,” shared Leslie el-Effendi, recognizing the contest’s past chairs who were in attendance. “I also want to acknowledge the many members of the host committee who are here this evening. Special events are always a group effort, and we were fortunate to have an outstanding committee.”

Reception attendees included major contributors to the Healthy Futures of Texas Student Film Contest, host committee members, and the organization’s board chairman, Chris Kroeger, and its CEO, Evelyn Delgado.

Reception attendees shown in the photos below (photo 1); Stephanie Russell, Joanna Gamez, Terri Greenspan, Evelyn Delgado (photo 2); Standing: Becky Bruder, Leslie el-Effendi, Terry Greenberg, Amit Banerjee, Fay Lidji, Meaders Ozarow Seated: Forrest Connell, Elli el-Effendi, Gwen Echols (photo 3); Gary Ahr, Katie Olson, Becky Bruder, Forrest Connell (photo 5); Gary Ahr, Katie Olson, Becky Bruder, Forrest Connell (photo 5); Gary Ahr, Katie Olson, Becky Bruder, Forrest Connell

Student Film Contest Winners

Students from Richardson High School, Lake Highlands High School, The Hockaday School, and the School of Business & Management at Townview were announced as the contest winners and awarded cash prizes at the Awards Ceremony at Texas Theatre in Dallas on April 7.

Aubren Kazee, Richardson High School student (1st place winner); Evelyn Delgado, CEO of Healthy Futures of Texas; Caroline Davis, Lake Highlands High School student (2nd place winner); Anu Akingbade and Annika Kapoor, The Hockaday School students (3rd place winners); Amaryss Escobar, School of Business & Management at Townview student (4th place winners).

1st Place: