Queensbury senior Jaden Telesco is preparing to travel to New York City, where two of his short films will be screened at the 2026 All American High School Film Festival in Times Square.
Jaden’s films “Stuck in the Paint” and “Rearview Mirror” are “official selections” and will be screened at the AMC Empire 25 Theaters. Nominees and winners will be announced at the Teen Indie Awards on Oct. 18 at The Kings Theatre in Brooklyn. 
Jaden’s two films were picked from thousands submitted by student filmmakers from around the world. The three-day event will feature an opening night private dinner and dance cruise around the island of Manhattan, hundreds of film screenings, on-site film competitions, industry-professional workshops, an interactive technology and exhibitor showcase, and the nation’s largest film and media college fair.
He will have endless networking opportunities and could be nominated to win prizes and scholarships.
“There’s nothing better than seeing a movie on the big screen,” he said, “and I’m really excited to see all the hard work my friends and I put in pay off.”
“Stuck in the Paint” tells the story of an unraveling artist desperate to create something worthy of being displayed in a museum, Jaden said. As he obsessively paints, pushing himself to the brink, it becomes clear he isn’t capturing the world as it is — but the one he wishes he could live in. When his work finally earns the attention of a curator, the line between reality and imagination begins to blur, revealing the deeper truth behind his art: a longing for something just out of reach.
“Rearview Mirror” is a chilling psychological thriller about anger, consequences, and the moment everything goes too far. On a freezing cold morning, a heated argument between Doug and Miranda spirals out of control, catching the attention of a bystander, Carlos. What begins as a public confrontation quickly turns into something far more disturbing as a hidden trash bag reveals a dark truth. As Carlos hesitates between getting involved or looking away, the tension builds toward a shocking and unforgettable ending.
Jaden has honed his filmmaking abilities through video production classes at Queensbury High School. He also takes classes in new media arts at SUNY Adirondack as part of the district’s Early College Career Academy.
Click here to watch “Stuck in the Paint”