Palardy ’05 Wins Filmmaking Award

Brooklyn, N.Y. resident Bridget Palardy ’05 has received the inaugural JT3 Artist Award of Distinction for emerging filmmakers for her short film Middletown B-Boys, a compelling dance-filled documentary that was shot in Middletown, Conn.

Palardy and four other innovative young filmmakers from Brooklyn were honored at the first-ever JT3 Artist Awards at the Brooklyn Academy of Music on Oct. 22 in a celebration with director Adam Brooks (Definitely, Maybe) and hosted by Tony-award nominated actor Brandon Victor Dixon. A nonprofit foundation created in memory of the dynamic young writer/director/producer Jesse Thompkins III, who died in a tragic traffic accident last year, JT3 Art helps cultivate budding movie makers.

JT3 Art chose Brooklyn as the focus of their 2009 grant program because of Jesse Thompkins’ passion for the neighborhood. Brooklyn was not just a place where he lived. He found frequent inspiration for his many short films on her streets.

Director Brooks, for whom Thompkins worked as an assistant on Definitely, Maybe, presented Palardy with her award for Middletown B-Boys and for her short script, Spark, a coming-of-age story set in an oppressive future. Spark is currently in post-production.

“I am incredibly humbled and honored to receive this award,” said Palardy at the award ceremony. “It means a lot to me to be able to show Middletown B-Boys to such a supportive audience and also have the opportunity to meet talented film professionals. I am thankful to the Thompkins family for starting this Foundation, and inspired by Jesse’s life and his passion for film.”