Filmmaker visits Island Park, shares new National Geographic documentary

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Darren Foster, a former Island Park resident and Lincoln Orens Middle School graduate, returned to the school on Nov. 21 to give students a preview of his new film “Science Fair.”

After graduating Lincoln Orens in 1988, the filmmaker attended West Hempstead High School, Fairfield University and the Columbia University School of Journalism, where he earned his master’s degree. He is now a DuPont and Peabody award-winning documentarian.

“I think growing up in Island Park gave me a great foundation,” Foster told the Herald. “It's a wonderful community. When you're a kid you don't always appreciate your teachers, but I certainly do now and realize how those years of my life really shaped the person I am today.”

“Science Fair” is Foster’s first feature-length film. The National Geographic documentary follows nine high school students from around the world, who competed in the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF).

“ISEF is like the Olympics of science fairs; I went with [my co-director, Cristina Costantini] to see the event in 2016 and was really impressed with the whole world,” Foster said. “There were 1,700 kids from 78 different countries and it kind of blew my mind. I knew immediately it would make a great subject for a documentary.”

“Science Fair” won the Festival Favorite Award at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival and the Audience Award at the South By Southwest Film Festival. Foster and Costantini also won the Critics’ Choice Award for Best First Time Directors.

Now, Universal Pictures has picked up the film and will soon bring it to theaters across the globe.

At the school assembly to screen Foster’s film, Island Park Schools Superintendent Dr. Rosmarie T. Bovino recognized Foster’s father, Steven, for his commitment to Island Park Schools. He was on the school board for over 25 years and was instrumental in creating the middle school’s theater, which is named after him.

“It was both surreal and really emotional,” Foster said. “We've shown the film in a lot of places by now, but this was really something special. After all, who gets to show their film in an auditorium named after their father? I'm so grateful to my sister Meghan and Dr. Bovino and everyone at Island Park Schools for making it happen. It was a moment that was really special for me to share with my dad.”

Bovino then introduced Foster and members of his family, who were also in attendance for the viewing, to students gathered in the middle school auditorium.

“We are most grateful that you remember growing up in Island Park and the role your teachers and administrators played in helping you develop a life-long passion for science, reading, and writing,” Bovino said, welcoming Foster to the podium.

Foster spoke about how his time at Lincoln Orens sparked his interests, leading him on the path to become a filmmaker. “I remember my time at Hegarty [Elementary School] and Lincolns Orens very fondly,” he said. “I had teachers who both nurtured my curiosity about the world and challenged me when I was being lazy.”

He also noted that “especially during the times we're living in when so many adults are behaving like children, it's really inspiring to see all these kids tackling big global challenges on their own. The students in [Science Fair] really give me hope and I know the future is bright because of them.”

Before showing the film, he expressed his wish for “Science Fair” to be an inspiration to Island Park students as they begin their science fair projects in January.

“The students were totally absorbed; you could hear a pin drop during the hour and a half,” Bovino said. “We have so many success stories and many talented students, so we’re very happy when they come back to share their accomplishments with us. We were very thankful that Darren thought of our community and to have him here.”