Ian Somerhalder and Nikki Reed spent some quality time at Harvard over the weekend. The married actors, known for “Vampire Diaries’’ and “Twilight,’’ respectively, helped with the Girls Impact the World Film Festival, which had its red carpet screening at the university on Saturday. Somerhalder and Reed were among the judges who awarded their grand prize to Fiona Bock, of the Hotchkiss School in Connecticut, for her film “Child for Sale.’’

Reed tweeted this message on Tuesday: “What a beautiful afternoon in Boston spent with some of the most talented, articulate, and courageous girls I’ve ever met. Your desire to tell stories is one that should never be ignored, and your passion for giving women a voice using film is so inspiring. It can and will change lives! I watched every single one of your films, some three or four times, as I found it nearly impossible to select favorites as a judge. Every single film was so powerful, so thought provoking and regardless of what resources were available to you, extremely well made.’’

Somerhalder snapped a picture of Reed speaking at the event. “Wow, what an honor to hear this talented, compassionate and giving human being,’’ he wrote of his wife in an Instagram caption. “I can’t believe I get to spend my career and my life with her. Empowering women is the greatest investment in society. Period. What a day in Boston . . .’’

The Girls Impact the World Film Festival, run by Connecther, gives high school students and undergrads the chance to earn scholarships by making short films about issues that face women. It brought about 220 people to the Carpenter Center for Visual Arts, and was cosponsored by Harvard College Social Innovation Collaborative. Actress/philanthropist Eloise DeJoria was the presenting sponsor.

Somerhalder was in Massachusetts just a few months ago to visit the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution for the TV series “Years of Living Dangerously.’’