Nicole Kidman was speaking of billion-dollar AMC productions when she said, “We come to this place for magic… to laugh, to cry, to care.” And yet, when WriCampians walked away from the 2026 Film Festival at the amphitheater, every camper had laughed, cried, and cared. There is genuine magic in the movies we WriCampians create, perhaps even more so because of the opposite-of-billion-dollar budget: campers pour nearly two weeks into conceptualizing, writing, storyboarding, filming, and editing films that otherwise would’ve taken much longer, and boy, does it pay off. Here are the incredible films we had the privilege of watching and reviewing these films.
“WriCampia.
We make movies better.”
Zombie Attack on WriCampia by Finn S., Jahan S., and George R.
“Zombie Attack on WriCampia” is a battle of the wits–or lack thereof–between a group of zombies and our campers, neither of whom have particularly genius strategies of attack. Slapstick humor, pistols, and a hunger for brains make this movie action-filled and hilarious.
Wellness Retreat by Stella M., Tilly M., Maya R., Sofia S., and Nico B.
An ensemble of quirky characters embark on a journey through the wilderness while on a wellness retreat. When they get lost, they must use their strengths (and sometimes weaknesses) to get out of the mess they’ve created. This mockumentary is entrancing, silly, and magnificent–but above all a comedic story about working together and changing into your best self.
In the Air Tonight by Theo S., Henry L., and Zach M.
Many of the boys’ cabins at camp are told a story called “The Song in the Air Tonight,” inspired by the Phil Collins song. This movie brings the conspiracy theory suggesting that Collins witnessed a counselor let a child drown to life, drawing from the lyrics. “In the Air Tonight” is both tragic and haunting, ending with the guilty counselor drowning himself in shame.
Washed Up By Jackson PW, Idan B., Daschcel C., and Rohan RF
A scrappy band of washed up wannabe musical superstars come together to make the best single hit song they can when their producer, Joey, puts their musical careers on the line. With hilarious appearances from guest stars like Jackson Michael (played by Jackson!), Bad Buffalo, and Swift Taylor, this film had campers rooting for these aspiring idols and laughing the whole time.
Horror Film by Holden M. and Tunip A.
This terrifying, experimental horror film filmed entirely in black and white shots had campers shaking in their boots. Loneliness, claustrophobia, and entrapment were the objects of horror, assisted by overlapping up-close shots, small moments of action, and mirror reflections and shudder effects. Intentional camerawork and editing culminate in a truly scary short film.
CIT FILM! Gettin’ In by Tallulah C-S. and Valerie C.
“Gettin’ In” is about the absurdity of the U.S. college admissions process, something a good chunk of WriCampians are sure to relate to. It follows three different students applying to the same elite, private university in a hilarious, classic mockumentary fashion. Because of their serious character flaws, none of our protagonists get in, but maybe that’s for the best. The end result is a deeply comedic (and sadly real) satire that every high school senior can relate to.
Seven Minutes by Neva A.O, Molly K., Ray F., Sandy S., and Matt M.
True to its name, this seven-minute movie takes on the concept that death is preceded by a seven-minute replay of your most powerful memories. The protagonist’s aging throughout her life is shown as three different campers of different ages play her role and through close-up shots of her eyes: her emotional perception and experience grows with her. Mise-en-scène cinematography of the protagonist’s life and growth pairs with thoughtful narration to bring this reflective coming-of-age film to life.
My First WriCampia Summer by Liv L. and Roxy G.
“My First WriCampia Summer” lovingly makes fun of WriCampia’s many quirks through the eyes of a first-year camper. It’s Liv’s first year and Roxy’s third, making them a balanced duo to joke about the surprise of things like shower hour only lasting 45 minutes and so many campers failing the swim test this year. It’s mockumentary style and filled with references all campers can relate to.
RECK by Mabel F., Mika E., Kaitlyn H., Layla K., and Ayana A.
“RECK” is the story of friends who meet and become close at sleepaway camp, swearing to come back together in the years following. Everybody keeps this promise, except for one. Flash forward to the present with the friends in their senior camp year, and the friend who never came back emerges from the woods thinking no time has passed… This surreal, eerie film is loosely inspired by David Lynch’s “Twin Peaks.”
A Falling Spirit on the Wake of Doom by Connor B. and Felix S.
Camper Newman gets kidnapped by a masked man dubbed “Evil Man who Only Speaks Danish,” triggering a thrilling and laugh-worthy journey as the kidnapper torments Newman speaking solely Danish. Counselors are murdered, campers roll down hills, and kidnappers performatively read leaning on trees in this nonsensical, slightly-creepy kidnapping tale.
CIT FILM! What is Happening and Where Am I by Owen B.
Owen’s film is filmed by Owen, written by Owen, starring Owen, and all about Owen, but that doesn’t get in the way of its humble humor. Hilariously introspective, each scene makes fun of one of Owen’s qualities or quirks with close-up shots of small bites of daily-Owen-dialogue.
This is Owen’s fourth and final year in the filmmaking track, and his humor and skills have grown along with him.
CIT FILM! Rocks by Raif K.
There has never been a 1 minute 30 second film that packed such a strong emotional punch as
“Rocks.” Two young campers struggle to make friends and find confidence in themselves, before finding one another skipping rocks at the lake. The short film captures their first laughs and solace found in one another, and no one could keep tears back.
CIT FILM! The Odussy by Raif K. and Yanic V.
This masterfully-filmed and acted movie features three CITs that get hypnotized and lost on the way to read to their bunk of Lower Campers. Hilarious clips of CITs floating hypnotized to food, lower campers bewildered at the sight of a book, and seriously tension-filled CIT arguments come together to bring campers to the edge of their seats in anticipation and falling over in laughter.
Raif has come an extremely long way: four years ago, his first time at camp and in filmmaking, he didn’t finish a single movie. Motivated by that first filmmaking experience anyway, since then, he’s made at least a film a year (this year two), and plans to study film in college. He’s made a short film a week for thirty weeks and majors in film at the High School for Art & Design. His in-depth experience is clear through his tear-jerking and laugh-worthy films this year.
CIT FILM! Some Like It Hot (Chocolate) by Julia B. and Maxwell L.
“Oceans 11” meets hungry teenagers in “Some Like It Hot (Chocolate).” Taking on the heist plot, slide transitions, montage voiceover, and cinematic style of “Oceans 11,” a crew of Senior Campers rob the cafeteria for hot chocolate packets instead of a casino for money. The Senior Campers play themselves—same track, same outfits, same life—except with a new motivation and strategy for claiming their treasure.
The film’s masterful shots, writing, and directing are years in the making: this is Julia and Max’s third film together, and each of their sixth and final years in the filmmaking track. Earlier this summer, Julia was a Production Assistant and then intern for a film production in L.A., leads technical theater at LaGuardia High School, and plans to study film in college. The pair spent camp passing what they’ve learned on to newer filmmakers, helping with the storyboarding and editing focus.
CIT SENIOR FILM! So Long and Goodbye by Julia B. and Maxwell L.
As is WriCampia tradition, filmmaking seniors made a tear-jerking film to commemorate the campers and staff that made their years at camp special. Julia and Max’s features interviews with the instructors and staff closest to them—Joey D., Daniel A., Lil G., Rebecca W-S, and Elsa B.—about what growing up means to them, specifically at WriCampia. A montage of videos and photos of them and their friends’ past 10 years at WriCampia play as the interviewees talk. There wasn’t a dry eye in the audience afterwards.
