Two student films on genocide and domestic violence, “Curt Lowens: A Life of Changes” and “The Monster Within,” won awards at the South Bay Film Festival, which took place at Mira Costa High School May 15.

“The Monster Within” won “Best Animation” at the festival. It was made by Dora Schoenberg ’16, Angela Chon ’16, George Khabbaz and Jordan Seibel as part of last summer’s Harvard-Westlake Summer Film program in conjunction with A Window Between Worlds, a nonprofit domestic violence organization. The film warns viewers not to “feed the monster within,” ending domestic violence.

“Curt Lowens: A Life of Changes” was awarded “Best Nonfiction Film.” It was made by students in a Righteous Conversations Project and Harvard-Westlake Summer Film program last summer. The film tells the story of Holocaust survivor Curt Lowens’ escape and resistance during World War II.

Visual Arts Department Head Cheri Gaulke said she was happy with the results of the festival.

“I’m always very proud of our work,” Gaulke said. “I think we do good work that’s about issues that are important, like domestic violence, genocide, rape and the Holocaust — that’s what I’m most proud of.”