Whiz Kid: Redmond Third-Grader Lights up the Silver Screen

Name: Sarah-Eve Gazitt

School:

Accomplishment: Sarah-Eve is just 8 years old but has already built up a lengthy acting résumé. She stars in a short film called While You Weren't Looking, which premieres at the Admiral Theater in Seattle this Sunday, and also appears in two short films that will be screened at the Seattle International Film Festival later this spring.

Key to Awesomeness: Redmond third-grader Sarah-Eve is no stranger to the camera. Her first acting experience was appearing as an extra in a movie that was filmed in downtown Seattle's underground when she was 5 years old.

Sheri Gazitt, Sarah-Eve's mother, said she was originally worried her daughter, who had modeled before but never acted, would not like participating in a film production because of all the standing around the role entailed.

"But she loved it," Gazitt said.

Sarah-Eve plays the leading role in While you Weren't Looking, which premieres at the Admiral Theater in Seattle this Sunday, May 6. 

The light-hearted film tells the story of a young child who has great adventures while her slightly overprotective mom isn't paying attention. In one scene, for example, Sarah-Eve's character visits a tattoo parlor with a band of bikers.

“It’s really funny in that they’re extreme situations,” Gazitt said.

The main role was originally written for a boy but the filmmakers decided to re-write the script after meeting Sarah-Eve.

The young actress will also appear in two films at the Seattle International Film Festival—Spinning and Play for Me. Her previous projects include a short film called Arthur, which has screened at several film festivals around the country, a handful of other short films, two music videos, and a corporate video for Intel.

Redmond-area residents might also recognize Sarah-Eve from a series of Waste Management recycling promotions that debuted on YouTube last year.

When she's not on set, Sarah-Eve keeps busy as student in the Quest program for gifted students at Alcott Elementary. Gazitt said balancing schoolwork with acting can be tricky sometimes and that Sarah-Eve has had a teacher on set in the past to help her keep up with her studies. For While You Weren't Looking—a 12-minute film, Sarah-Eve spent seven eight-hour days on set, beginning at 5 a.m., Gazitt said.

But despite the heavy workload, Gazitt said her daughter wants to take her passion to the next level and appear in a feature-length film.

"She has the acting bug," Gazitt said.