Andre Zimmermann

Andre Zimmermann, 17, was born in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and emigrated to the U.S. with his mother and sister when we was a young boy.  Currently a senior at Palmer High School, Andre’s interests and skills in digital film editing began two years ago when he excelled in a media arts class offered at his school.

For his YDA documentary, BUG OUT, Andre explored the May Natural History Museum of Tropical Insects, a place his family knows well: his step-father, R.J. Steer, is the great-grandson of the founder of the collection in the early part of the 20th Century.

Andre’s access to this charming and quirky slice of Colorado Springs brings to life this beloved, but little known, institution.  Andre incorporated interviews with family members, archival footage and contemporary visuals of the museum, to stitch his film together.

BUG OUT premiered at the 2014 Rocky Mt. Women’s Film Festival and the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center.  Recently, it won Best Documentary at the Boulder International Film Festival’s Teen Filmmaking Competition.

In addition to filmmaking, Andre is a member of the Youth Symphony in Colorado Springs and a varsity swimmer.  He plans to attend a four-year college or university and is currently applying for scholarships.