For Sacred Hearts Academy senior Kayla Manz, her dream of one day becoming a filmmaker just got a little more real–when her documentary was featured in the 36th Annual Hawaii International Film Festival.

“Diagnosed Pink” is about a family friend, who is battling cancer. She produced it while enrolled in a summer video program called Hawaii Women in Filmmaking. This program is also what inspired her to pursue her passion in film.

“My mom signed me up for a film course and ever since then, I’ve really enjoyed it,” she said.

Manz wanted to make this documentary as a way for their family friend, Lindsey Andrews, to get her story out into the community.

KEEPING UP WITH- Kayla Manz, Aspiring Filmmaker from Sacred Hearts Academy on Vimeo.

At the same time Andrews found out she was diagnosed with breast cancer, she found out she was pregnant with her second child. The documentary discusses the difficult situation Andrews and her family faced.

“More people will know her story,” Manz said. “That was primarily the reason why I did it in the first place.”

Manz is currently taking Video Productions and News Broadcast. As a student in this course, she helps with the production of the Academy’s bi-weekly newscast, “The Lancers Lately,” by writing scripts, filming, teleprompting and anchoring. She hopes to major in an area of film during college.