SMC’s Student Filmmakers Association (formerly Cinema Club) will present its bi-annual Festival of Student Films. This semester’s festival will take place from 6:30-10 p.m. on Friday, May 30, in Room 214 of the SMC Art Complex. Admission is free, and there will be food and beverages provided by the club. The staff encourages students to bring friends and family to this special event.
The popular student club, which has been in existence since the 1970s, will screen not only the work of film studies majors such as M. Bui and Elliot Hanes, but will also showcase films made by non-majors who have joined the club to discover and savor the creative rewards of group filmmaking.
“Screening short films that include fiction, documentary, music video, and animated formats, student filmmakers offer an amazing range of styles and visions,” says the club’s faculty advisor Josh Kanin, who is also lead professor and coordinator of SMC’s Film Studies Program. “The films are representative of SMC’s eclectic mix of national origins and ethnicities. Our young filmmakers take great pride in presenting their creative work to the campus community in a theater-like venue.”
Many of the student moviemakers have had little to no experience working with film before joining the Filmmakers Association and are presenting their first films at the festival.
“I officially joined the club last fall, and it opened up a whole new world of possibilities for me,” said Bui, who is this semester’s club secretary. Bui’s film, which will be screened at the event, is a dark comedy that incorporates elements from films such as “Reservoir Dogs,” “Oceans 11,” and “The Godfather,” yet features a cast of only children.
Simon Lebsekal is currently filming a psychological thriller titled “Train of Thought.” The film is about a doctor who decides to release his patient’s restraints after deciding that the patient’s mental health has improved.
“I’ve been writing for two years, and during that time I have not taken any film classes,” says Lebsekal.
Elliot Hanes will be showing a behind-the-scenes documentary currently titled “Work in Progress” about the film club and the various projects its members have pursued this semester. Hanes, who composes music, is also working on a music video.
“I feel that film is the visual complement to my audio obsession,” said Hanes. “I'm a producer and vocalist and I'm working on my second album right now. Whether film or music, for me its all about expression.”
Holly Newton, who has been the club’s social director this semester, is currently filming a movie titled “Medipiphany” about an epiphany she had during a session of meditation (as apparent in the title). Newton drew inspiration from filmmaker David Lynch’s book “Catching the Big Fish.”
“In the book, Lynch explains that all great stories come during meditation,” said Holly.
Newton experienced the epiphany during a yoga session when her instructor advised her to do some “spring cleaning.” The film features the images of the people in Newton ’s life that came to her during the session.
Many of the Student Filmmakers Association members have expressed appreciation for their fellow club members.
“Writing is something you can do without others, but film is very collaborative,” said Lebsekal. “My fellow filmmakers have been very helpful.”
“Don’t hesitate to bring your ideas,” said Bui. “Part of realization is putting your idea out there.”
|
