PORTLAND, Maine (NEWS CENTER) -- For twelve weeks, a dozen kids from four of the city's elementary schools met up to work on their individual roles in a large team project. 

With paint flying alongside ideas, the kids created characters and backdrops out of cardboard, then brought them to life using a digital camera to create an animated mini-movie.

"It is great to see how proud they are of their work when it is done," explained Megan Pollino, the teacher helping shepherd the production at Oak Street Studios.  "They wanted to get to the fun film making part of it, but there was a lot of work that had to be done first."

Pollino says the kids had to create a concept and storyboards before they could really make magic.  The kids, many of whom did not know each other before the project started, then broke into smaller groups and took control of their part of the production which when finished would become the trailer inviting audiences to take part in the 2nd annual Portland Children's Film Festival.

"I think this has been really really cool.  I have never done this type of stuff before, but it kind of has been like a mini dream," said Edyson Pines.  She had never made a movie before, but enjoyed the process a lot.

"I really like working together with other people and just creating something," she said.

"It is kind of nice because everybody has different talents and stuff and you can put them together and make something cool," added Oscar McNally.

Many of the kids said the workshop made them want to make more movies with their friends and family in the future, with some hoping to submit them to be shown at the festival.

The Portland Children's Film Festival begins April 3rd and runs through the 7th.  Venues across the city will hold workshops, host lectures and screen films for audiences young and old. 

NEWS CENTER